How to Use PreSchool Problem Solving Activities for Discipline
April 7, 2008 8:48 pm Social SkillsFollowing up on the problem solving activities for preschoolers that I posted last week, I’ve been thinking about how we can use problem solving when it comes to their own lives and discipline.
Kids love it when they’re given a chance to participate in discussions that are centered on them. If you’ve been having a persistent problem with your preschooler- dawdling over her food, whining every morning before she has to get ready - see if you can involve her in the problem solving process, so both of you can come to an understanding.
Sit her down, and say, “What do you think we can do, so you’re not always late getting ready every morning. Tell me. I want to know.” You might be surprised at the answers she comes up with. In this case, there are plenty of ways you can solve the tardiness problem.
- She could choose her clothes the night before, and lay them out, so she saves time in the morning.
- She can go to bed a half hour earlier, so she feels fresh when she wakes up.
- She can go to bed with her clothes on (non wrinkly, of course) so she’s through with the getting dressed bit when she wakes up.
- She can set her dressing up and getting ready routine to a timer that she has to beat.
- She could also go to school in her night clothes to save time (but then, others would laugh at her - brainstorm all possible solutions, and all the consequences of the solution).
Maybe, you could try this with other problem areas - meal time fussiness, boredom in the car etc. You might find that involving her gives her more control over her life, and therefore she might be more likely to stick with the solution you agree on.
I am not a big fan of pussy footing around your kids, and at some point, you’ll have to come up with more effective discipline measures than merely gritting your teeth, and suffering silently through it. Personally, this method seems to work better for me as opposed to ” Eat up your dinner, or else…!” Punishment and nagging seem to have temporary results, if ever.
What do you think? Do you try this with your own kids?
Tags: Discipline, preschool activity, problem solvingIf you liked this post and would like to be notified whenever I update this blog
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Trish :
Date: April 7, 2008 @ 9:19 pm
We do this a lot with my son, who just turned 6 and has autism. The solutions usually have to do with different sensory input he needs (squeezes and tickles to wake up in the morning were his idea) or structure that is lacking (writing down our schedule or what we are going to buy at the store to reduce anxiety and whining).
Really, how will you know if you don’t ask? And how will they learn to become independent if they aren’t part of the process?
PreSchool Mama :
Date: April 7, 2008 @ 9:36 pm
Lovely, Trish! So glad it’s working for you.
You’re right. We all want our kids to become independent and self willed, and yet, we insist on dictating to them.
Alison :
Date: April 8, 2008 @ 4:37 am
Love this article! Great points about asking and independence, Trish. So true.
In our family the girls are great at coming up with their own ways to share. With two 3 year olds and a 2 year old this has been our latest issue! It’s amazing how much more inclined they are to work things out when they are the ones coming up with solutions.