“Your kids require you most of all to love them for who they are, not to spend your whole time trying to correct them.” The parent-child relationship is beautiful and one of a kind. Parenting brings a lot of emotional and mental challenges. It feels difficult at times, despite the challenges. It is very admirable to build a strong relationship with your child. Once you enter into parenthood, you need to possess relationship-building skills.
Parents and children share a bond of love and affection. They also share mutual responses. It lays the foundation for the child’s social, emotional, and mental well-being. This relationship plays a major role in developing self-confidence and self-esteem among children. Your relationship with your child determines the child’s behavior. It also shapes the child’s other relationships.
Importance of building relationships with preschoolers
To have someone to vent out their emotions and thoughts is a natural instinct of humans. This is not just a need for adults. Children need it more than anyone else. They may not have as intense problems as you face. But they need to be heard. They want someone to play, share and empathize with them. You should be their first and best companion. Strong parent-child relationships lead to the future adult’s good mental health.
A positive parent-child relationship is stable, warm, loving, and caring. This does not mean that parents won’t point out the mistakes made. This in fact, means that a strong relationship will not have physical or emotional abuse. Positive parenting includes loving interactions. In them, the parent listens and empathizes with the child. Parents should focus on their thoughts, actions, and feelings. They should not focus on the actions of the child. The advantages of building relationships with preschoolers include:
- Promotes the holistic development of the child.
- Children with a good relationship with their parents will be good at building relationships with their peers.
- Children who feel loved and secure with their parents are better at managing their emotions.
- Children tend to develop self-esteem and a positive body image if they share a strong relationship with their parents.
- Healthy parental involvement can make your child a good decision-maker. Don’t criticize and judge the child. Always act as a cushion for your child to lay on.
- It creates a mutual respect. When the child feels that they are valued, they do the same. They will value your words,
- It gives you a child who can face failure without fear. If your child knows that your love towards them is unconditional. They won’t fear failures. They will share their success and failure with you with a smile.
Tips to build relationships with pre-schoolers
Having a wall to lean on during difficult times is heartwarming. You are your child’s wall to lean and heart to share. How to build a relationship with your toddler? If you have a beautiful relationship with your little one, how can you make it strong? Here are a few tips on building a strong parent-child relationship:
- Play together
- Be vocal about your love for them
- Eat together
- Active listening
- Spend time together
- Appreciating efforts, not just results
Playing games is one of a toddler’s basic needs and it plays a major role in physical and mental development. Find time to play with the child. It creates and strengthens the bond you share with your child. It may not have to be intellectual games, but rather fun games with them.
Love feels magical when you express it. Say “I love you” to your baby. You might have seen it often in Hollywood movies. This actually helps. Give a goodnight kiss before your little one sleeps. All this makes your child understand that you love them no matter what. Afterall, we need to express love.
Eating meals together without screens is one important practice. In this tech-enhanced era, people must diligently follow it. Share and talk about your day. Have a good family time at the table. Let the child get involved in setting the table and cleaning the utensils. It makes them responsible.
The word ‘active listening’ is used purposefully. You must listen to the child actively, without your mobile or TV screen on. Listen and empathize with them. Try to see things from their perspective.
How can you build a relationship if you can’t find time for it? Sit with your child leaving all your tensions and burdens. Even if you spend a few minutes with them. Be with them by all means. Talk, play, or watch something together.
Appreciating their hard work and efforts will foster their emotional growth. Not the end results. Refraining from immediate reaction and acknowledging their perspective will create an understanding environment.
Building a strong relationship with your preschooler is important. It matters to both the parent and child. Parenting is demanding. But, the beauty of a strong bond with your child can make it easier. Some parents might be busy with their careers. They might not get enough time to spend with their toddlers. Some may lack relationship-building skills due to many factors.
At Kangaroo Kids International Preschool, we ensure that kids are not left out. We hold them without failure. Our educators ensure that every child is being heard and cared for who they are. To learn more about our education approach, contact us today!
