Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Cincinnati, OH

I don't know about you, but I feel like everything matters with my preschoolers.  I am constantly in fear of what I'll do to scar them for life.  But, I've tried my best to narrow down what I think truly matters.  In no particular order.  Feel free to chime in!

5 Thing That Really Matter with Preschoolers:

1.  Reading with kids -  I do truly think this is absolutely priceless.  The cuddling, sitting together and finding time to read⿦ And, now with 2 of 3 reading, the payoff is such a feeling of accomplishment for the child.  Great results for all involved!

2.  Increasing children's emotional vocabulary - Believe me, I don't purport to be an expert, but teaching my first year of preschool this year has brought me to this conclusion.  My students are officially two and a half year olds.  The amount of frustration that is possible during the learning in social situations is so exacerbated by NOT having emotional words to describe your feelings.  Teaching your child words for their emotions is the best thing you can do for their social and emotional development.

3.  Consistency and follow through - Sticking to your word time and again is oh so valuable.  And, of course, not easily done.  But, the level of trust and confidence a child develops from counting on your word (even if your words are "Go to time out now!") is an important part of development.  As far as follow through, if you say you're going to do it, do it.  A big shout out to DH here - he's rocks at this.  And mostly with fun stuff.

4.  Routine, knowing what to expect - Routines are another way to develop trust and familiarity with the environment.  I like to tell my kids what's coming up.  It helps them anticipate a situation and reduces anxiety.  (For more on routines, check our December Archives section.)

5.  Having fun  - It must be said!  In addition to my anxiety about how I'll scar them, I'll also wonder what happy times we create.  I always think that means lots of money being spent and going out somewhere, but that hubby of mine has convinced me otherwise.  Some of our best family times are at home.

Naturally, if some things do indeed, matter, with preschoolers, then inevitably, some things don't.  But, we are always mistaking the small stuff for big stuff.  Here, I'll weigh in on my thoughts about what doesn't really matter, in no particular order.

1.  Crying when you leave - Ok, this is truly heart-wrenching, I will admit.  Perhaps I'm going out on a limb, here, but, as long as you're following healthy steps to saying goodbye to your preschooler, it's really just an important step in development.

2.  If you do things differently than your friends -   You gotta love 'em.  Who's listening if not your friends?  But all families are unique.  Each couple comes to their own conclusions about how to parent.  So, it's not going to be the same, because people are different.  Now, lets put that into practice.  (Easier said than done.)

3.  Your perception of events - There have been soo many times when I have looked at an event that's happened to my kids as if it was happening to me.  And, I have way more baggage than they do.  Most times, they could care less about certain things - falling down, a friend's rude comment, things like that.  It's their perception - and staying in touch with that - that matters.

4.  What they wear - They grow out of it in 3 months anyway.  They get food on it, paint on it, poop on it.  I mean really.  I have my standards.  But generally speaking, this so does not hit the radar.

5.  Your comment here -