All My Children

It is perfectly natural for them to getdistorted ideas at times. Often they do this without realizing what they are doing. For instance, a little boy picks up a simple block of wood, probably of no value whatever. To his mind it has become a powerful engine, pulling a long line of cars. He plays with gusto, making all the appropriate noises and many more. His vivid imagination is at work.

All young things do this. Puppies and kittens run and tumble and jump, chasing after imaginary objects such as more mature animals would never do. They are forever running and climbing and scampering about. All this activity is preparing them for the time when they will be chasing real things, instead of merely running around in a world of make-believe. This is how they grow. Continue Reading »

Most three- and four-year-olds will sleep about twelve hours each night. A daytime nap may continue to be part of your child’s routine, but don’t be surprised when it is phased out during the next several months. If you are struggling with your child over bedtime, read again the section. This is also a good time to review the management of nightmares (and their less common counterparts, night terrors) described in that same section.

Remember that bedtime should be early because your child needs the sleep and you need time with other children, your spouse, or yourself. During the middle of summer, this can be a challenge. The sun may still be shining, and all sorts of activity may still be going on outside at what is normally bedtime. You will need to decide how much to bend your routines to match the seasons, or perhaps invest in heavy window shades if you need to darken your child’s room at this time of year. You may also need to exercise sensible flexibility to accommodate family work schedules. Continue Reading »