Wild Primrose Preschool

06/15/2024

06/14/2024

05/18/2024

10/14/2023

Did you know that a 3-year old (top left image) and a 6-year old (top right image) have significantly different skeletal structure in their hands?! Notice the bones in the wrist of the 3-year old -- many of them are still mostly cartilage! Look at all the spaces in between the bones where muscles and tendons will change through the years. Even the difference between a 6-year old and a 14-year old (lower right) is huge!
Preschoolers have SO much development to do before they can write the way school-aged children or adults can!
Please do NOT stress if your preschooler does not want to write or draw. Some love it and some don't.
While they are growing, strengthen those little bones and muscles! Here are some great pre-writing, muscle-strengthening activities:
* painting, drawing, coloring
* playdough
* tearing and cutting
* gluing
* poking holes in things (try toothpicks and paper!)
* digging in dirt
* building with LEGOS, marble runs, or other blocks
* beading (try beads, cut straws, or even bobbins!)
* puzzles
* squeezing (try stress balls, squeezing water in a sponge, or using a pipette)
* picking up and throwing balls (use different sizes!)
* playing with toys (watch what their little fingers do when they pick up and move little cars, marbles, action figures, etc!)
These all strengthen and help develop little hands, muscles, and bones. When they are physically ready to write, it will be so much easier than if they were pushed when they didn't want to and weren't ready! ❤

For tips on communicating with your kids in age appropriate and AFFiRM- ing ways, read more here:

https://genmindful.com/blogs/mindful-moments/positive-communication-with-kids-at-every-age

📸 Credit to Preschool Powol Packets

10/09/2023

10/01/2023

Life lessons

09/15/2023

Think of a time you, as an adult, overreacted and lost your sh*t. Here's mine: I'm a horrible cook, but one time I thought it was a great idea to try to make chicken. I spent HOURS on this chicken, checking it constantly, only to find I ruined it. Guys, I. lost.my.f*cking.sh*t. I threw an adult tantrum. I threw the dish towel, knocking things over. "Today is ruined, I cant do ANYTHING RIGHT."

Let me tell you what I DIDN'T need to hear in the moment:
"Well, you should have read the recipe better."
"Clearly you weren't paying attention."
"It's not that big of a deal, you're overreacting."
"Next time you should..."

Here's what I needed to hear, "You're feeling frustrated, you worked hard on that. I get it."

For both adults + kids: when we’re feeling good, the upper areas of our brain are accessible. These parts help us control our bodies, use our words to express our needs + desires, manage our emotions + LEARN. BUT in times of high intensity + upset feelings, those areas of our brain become harder to reach!

✨Mid-tantrum is NOT the time for✨
❌Teaching
❌Negotiating
❌Reasoning
❌Punishing

Tantrums are developmentally NORMAL. The toddler brain is super under construction: specifically the areas responsible for managing emotions, controlling their bodies + communicating. That's why you see them screaming, crying, hitting when upset.🚨

So, during a tantrum, let your calm be contagious. Allow that healthy release.

Then, once the🌪️ has passed (aka when those upper areas of the brain are more accessible), reflect on what happened:
✨ Name the feelings “You were feeling mad that he took your toy. It’s ok to feel mad about that.”
✨ Identify the boundaries “It’s not ok to hurt someone when you feel mad.”
✨ Practice coping skills “Next time you feel mad like that, what can you do instead of hitting?”
⁠
✨Want to learn how to discipline in a way that both WORKS and protects your child’s self esteem? Struggling with all things toddler? Our course, Winning the Toddler Stage, is here to help! For people with kids ages 1-6. Link in bio!✨

09/09/2023