Avoid tantrums at the park
This works đ
Preschoolers donât understand time. â5 more minutesâ means nothing when you have no concept of a minute, so no wonder kids get frustrated when suddenly theyâre pulled from the park. The 5 minute warning meant nothing.
We can make it CONCRETE and easier to understand when we tell them what they CAN do. Personally I love to say âone last playâ - this can mean one more go on the monkey bars, one last bit of swinging, one more round of the obstacle course. When itâs nearly time to leave I say âwe have time for one last play before we head home to (insert something fun and motivating here), what are you going to choose?â.
With practice and consistency, my kids have learned to choose wisely and do one last thing.
đŤŁWHAT IF THEY STILL PROTEST?!
They often will. Mine do too. Itâs fair enough - again with zero understanding of time, kids havenât a clue why weâd have to leave the funnest place ever. Theyâre allowed to feel sad. We can:
âď¸ acknowledge their feelings. âYou really want to stay at the park, itâs so fun here.
âď¸ hold the boundary kindly. âWe have to (next step) nowâ.
âď¸Support them to leave. Gently place a hand on their back to steer them or pick them up.
âď¸ Talk with interest and intrigue about the next steps. âI WONDER what free fruit theyâll have at the shops today. You might choose an appleâ
âShall we skip or jump to the car? Letâs have a race.â
âOh my GOODNESS Iâve forgotten how to drive!! Can you hop in the drivers seat and show me how the wheel works?!â.
Transitions between activities are HARD for kids so youâre not failing if your child is losing it. Theyâre allowed to feel feelings. Remember that play is their language, so if we can support them to the next step with play, things will often be more successful.
Have you tried this? Let me know in the comments and share this one with a fellow parent.
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