| Understand your child?s developmental milestones. | | | | unhurriedly for happier mother-child relationships. And |
| Each year for the under-six child represents more | | | | don't demand perfection of yourself or of your child. |
| dramatic growth than at any period of his life ? with | | | | Have realistic expectations. |
| its characteristic emotional disturbance that | | | | The pre-schooler lacks the knowledge to understand |
| represents a crisis of inner growth. If you know that | | | | the consequences of his words and actions for he's |
| children really do go through "stages," with every | | | | not a little adult. Expect your child to act like a child. |
| other year being a "good" one, you'll feel more | | | | He's not being malicious, if he's broken the ceramic |
| relaxed about your child and the job you're doing as | | | | ornament you'd forgotten to put out of his reach. |
| a mother. | | | | Toddlers usually make a mess if given only half the |
| When your child is about two-and-a-half, be on the | | | | chance. Be patient and understand it's useless |
| look-out for tricky behavior. You'll get relative | | | | demanding behavior that is beyond your child's ability |
| peacefulness when he's age three. From | | | | to do. Your child is unfolding like a flower into the |
| three-and-a-half to four, the going's not so smooth | | | | world. |
| again. But it is at six years that he will really try your | | | | You can only encourage but not hasten the process. |
| patience. | | | | Accept the limitations and you can delight in his |
| How you handle these growth stages can have a | | | | development. |
| lifelong effect on your relationship with your children | | | | There is also the need for you to understand that |
| and on their emotional growth. When you know what | | | | children would inevitably change your lifestyle and |
| to expect during these stages, you can help your | | | | you're no longer a free agent. Even when you have |
| child pass smoothly through them. Discover those | | | | nanny, bringing up a pre-schooler will make demands |
| techniques which would work best for your unique | | | | that you, perhaps, have never envisioned. If you |
| child. The kind of nurturing he will get during these | | | | must take the toddler to market with you, keep the |
| early years is crucial in terms of development; for | | | | trip short. In that way, he'll be easier to manage and |
| these are the years he is learning how to live "in the | | | | you'll both be less exhausted. When eating out with |
| land of the giants." | | | | him, choose the restaurant with care as it would be a |
| A child's development is affected not only by a | | | | bother. It would be unreasonable for you to expect a |
| unique constitution at birth through heredity but also | | | | toddler to sit quietly where the service is bad. |
| by his environment. Deal with your child calmly and | | | | |