Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Halifax, NS

Preschoolers can be strange folk. From day to day their favourite toy changes, their tastes in food, and even friends. Yet there are certain things that really matter with preschoolers and small things that really don't. The following are some things I have observed since becoming a parent to a preschooler.

What really matters to preschoolers:

1. Love - Knowing without a doubt that their parents love them unconditionally. Show your preschooler through hugs, kisses and Love you reminders!
2. Acceptance - A parent can love their child, lay down their life for their child and yet still not accept them for who the child is. Accept your preschooler for who she/he is. If they are not good at sports, if they insist on wearing pink or if they will not play with dolls, accept them for the person that they are.
3. Trust - If you make a promise keep it. If you cannot keep a promise, don't make it. All too often after being nagged "Can we go to the park? Can we go to the park? Can we go to the park? Can we go to the park? Can we go to the park?", a parent can easily make a promise to take the child to the park, without really thinking it through. Then due to other commitments, the promise is broken.
4. Patience - Although it may feel like it is your preschoolers mission to test your patience, most of the time it is their way of learning. Each and every routine, habit, personal care, eating, and the like is all from a fresh slate. They are learning. In order to learn all that they need to, they need our patience. Which is really hard sometimes, especially after repeating ourselves 50-60 times.
5. Free time - I see some kids that have a stricter, fuller schedule than some adults! Preschoolers learn through play. This is one of the greatest times of their lives, no pressure from school, or outside sources. Let the kid play!

1. If their room is clean - I struggle with this. It really doesn't matter if her room is clean, however it bugs me. So I try to let it go all day then at the end of the day either I go in and tidy up or I ask her to. She is slowly beginning to realize if I have to go in, things may not be as they once were!
2. The latest and greatest - Commercialism is at its all time high. Protect your child, filter out some of that outside influence. Children do not need every toy that is cool that season. They do not need to be influenced by characters from television to purchase toys, clothes, etc.
   
3. What you have scheduled - Preschoolers do not understand that you have articles to write, chores to complete, phone calls to make. All they know is that they want to spend time with you and may feel rejected if they are always put off for "more important things".
4. That it is cold outside - Most preschoolers love the outdoors. Even when it feels a little to cold (or hot) let them out for a short time. The fresh air and freedom will be wondrous for them!
5. Your feelings - Not that your feelings are a small thing, instead that we take it personally. If your preschooler will not eat her broccoli, clean his room or listen in that moment, do not take it personally. They are not being defiant to hurt you or to make you mad. At times, they are attempting to exert some control, at other times they may just not feel like it. It is not a reflect of you or your parenting.