Parenting Matters: Proactive Parenting in the Preschool Years

Sarah Martin, PhD, of Bradley Hospital, offered a presentation on how to employ proactive parenting with preschoolers at Parenting Matters 2005: Practical Information for Raising Children.

Martin explained that young children have developmental “jobs” that they must fulfill. These include:

• Developing positive relationships and self-esteem
• Learning to express and cope with strong feelings
• Developing age-appropriate independence and autonomy
• Developing skills for behavioral self-control

Most of what young children do is intended to accomplish one of these jobs. Further, children will “do what works” to be able to accomplish these jobs, even if the immediate result is problematic for them or their families.

• Helping your preschooler develop positive relationships and self-esteem

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