This post is one of a 5-part series about getting your preschooler ready for Kindergarten. Be sure to check out Paula’s other top 10 tips for getting your preschooler off to a good start.

“I can’t do this – I hate this!” … ”Hahahahaha – hee hee!” …”Waahhhh”… ”I love you, Daddy”… ”There’s a monster under my bed!”… “Wanna play with me, Mommy?”…”I’m  worried – Jacob said he’s not my best friend anymore…Jacob and me are BFFs again!”…

Ah – the ups and downs of a regular day in the life of a young family.  Our kids are busy developing the skills they need to manage the emotions that fill their day.  They need our help to contain their bubbling feelings and to give them a sense of self control.

Here are our TOP 10 ways for promoting healthy emotional development:

1. Be enthusiastic and show your love – show delight in efforts, successes and attempts.
2. Use positive and encouraging words in everyday conversations – give praise and pats on the back!
3. Encourage and support new adventures and challenges.
4. Be very generous with hugs and kisses!
5. Role model self-control by setting limits and having a few simple, clear rules to follow.
6. Teach your kids how to deal with small upsets or disappointments and be sensitive about their difficult feelings. Kids feel stress and worry too!
7. Role model and teach the use of words, not hands to express feelings – especially when angry or frustrated.
8. Look at family photos often and remember fun and happy times that make your family so special!
9. Keep your family’s schedule simple – allow time for unstructured play.
10. Arrange care for your kids and take care of yourself – go out and have some grown-up fun!

Remember, you are not alone!  Be sure to check out our “Kindergarten: Ready, Set, GO!” pages for lots of handy info, checklists and workshops for parents.  If your child has not attended nursery school, preschool or child care, our EvenStart program is a fantastic way to prepare them for the daily routine and structure of kindergarten.

For more tips and hints about your preparing your child for kindergarten, or to share your experience, there are many ways you can talk to one of us directly:

• Leave us a comment below – we’d love your feedback
• Talk to us on Twitter: @haltonparents
• Email us at haltonparents@halton.ca
• Call  HaltonParents by dialing 311 or 905-825-6000 for parenting information or to speak directly to a Public Health Nurse (every Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

About this guest blogger:

Paula D’Orazio RN is a Public Health Nurse specializing in Preschool Health and Parenting with the Halton Region’s Early Years Health Program.  She is an accredited Triple P Positive Parenting Program individual counsellor and trained facilitator in both Nobody’s Perfect and Beyond the Basics. She is also co-author and facilitator of Halton’s Parenting Basics group curriculum.  A busy, working mom, Paula believes in living healthy and relishes her “live, love and laugh” time with her young family.