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Helpful Tips for Parents of Pre-K Children (4-5 years)

dad hugging child

Helpful Tips for Parents of Pre-K Children (4-5 years)

preschool girl playing recorder as mom looks on smiling

As your child reaches preschool age, they become more independent and are learning to get along with others. Going to preschool and getting ready for kindergarten is a time where they become part of the school community and spend more time away from home. They will start to question why they have to do what you tell them, but they are also old enough to understand when you explain the reasons. To help you be the best parent or caregiver you can be, we pulled together some tips for helping your child grow and develop during these important years.

Pre-k Parenting Tips

  • Continue to talk, sing and read to your child
  • Nurture your child’s love for books by taking them to the library or a book store
  • Teach responsibility in small steps, starting with simple things like picking up their toys
  • Let your child help with simple chores
mom and preschool aged child patting out baking dough
dad steadying preschool son up on bike up as child learns to ride
  • Set a good example by consistently doing the things you want your child to do
  • Encourage your child to play with other children, so they learn sharing and friendship
  • Speak to your child in complete sentences, using “grown up” words. This will help develop language skills, using the correct words and phrases
  • Help your preschooler work through the steps of solving a problem when they are upset
  • Be clear and consistent when disciplining your child. Explain and show the behavior you want. When telling them no, explain what they should be doing instead
  • Limit TV and computer time to just one to two hours a day. Children spending more than 2 hours a day in front of a screen are more likely to become obese and have behavior problems
  • Monitor what your child is watching. Programs that show violent or angry actions and words can scare a preschooler and lead to nightmares or aggressive behavior
  • Give your child a limited number of simple choices, like choosing what to wear, what games to play or what snack to eat
mom sitting next to and hugging preschooler

More Resources for Pre-K Parents

Visit My Plate for Preschoolers

Get information on health and nutrition for preschoolers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Get Activity Tips

Information and guidelines for play and keeping your child physically active from the Center for Disease Control.