Before preschool begins, you are an important influence on your toddler’s life. There are many steps you can take to help them succeed, especially by encouraging their development and socialization. Below, A Rising Star Children’s Center in Cortlandt Manor, NY, shares three tips for helping your child create and maintain healthy relationships. The skill will come in handy during your child’s time as a student as well as in their personal and professional life. 

How to Get Your Child Ready for Preschool

1. Identify & Discuss Emotions

It’s important that children learn about emotions at a young age. When they know the words for “mad,” “sad,” and “happy” they can better express themselves and improve their ability to communicate with those around them. Teach your kids to state what they’re experiencing and why they feel that way. Help them by following this practice too, so they can learn by example and become more empathetic, caring, and aware of others.

2. Spend Time With People of Different Ages

Young children learn social cues from people they spend time with. Before preschool begins, introduce your child to other toddlers their age. Meet people at the park, for example, so your little one can have some fun with others on a similar emotional and intellectual level. Your kid can also benefit from being around people of other ages, like teens, grandparents, and other adults. These experiences will help them interact with others and build relationships between generations.

3. Limit Screen Time

Kids spend many hours a day interacting with computers, tablets, and phones. It’s important that they gain social skills and don’t become too reliant on devices for all their entertainment and learning. Communicating with people face-to-face encourages milestones, like learning from people’s facial expressions, that cannot be mastered through technology. Your family may consider setting a screen time limit or even not allowing little ones to use devices to ensure they are building healthy relationships and interactions.

Learning how to communicate, read other people’s emotions, and explain their own are crucial parts of creating and maintaining healthy relationships. A Rising Star Children’s Center offers infant and toddler programs that encourage learning and socialization among young children who aren’t yet ready for preschool. They offer talented, compassionate teachers and hands-on interactive learning for kids to boost their development and confidence. To speak with a representative, call (914) 788-4582 today. You can also visit them online to browse their programs.