What is Happening Now? 4 1/2 Years

Parents Are People, Too

Laugh a Little, Love a Lot!

Laughter. It's an essential part of parenting in the preschool years - and beyond! Yes, there are stresses associated with parenting. But the way we respond to the normal ups and downs of family life is our choice. By choosing to have a generally positive attitude, we'll enjoy life more.

Three- and 4-year-olds like to laugh at the ridiculous. They understand what things are supposed to look and sound like so they can delight in silly variations. Join them in the fun. Everyone will benefit.

Researchers suggest that we need to laugh 15 or more times a day for health maintenance. How can laughter affect health? It seems that all the tense body muscles relax when we laugh. This relaxation helps reduce stress. Laughter may not be a cureall, but it can make some tough things easier to take.

Taking a humorous attitude toward life can help you feel better and can produce insight. It can help us see some of our own quirks as well as laugh and enjoy the insights of others.

Where do you get a steady supply of laughter? One way is to be around people who love to laugh ... like children! Laughter is contagious. Take time to read and save cartoons that strike you as funny. Share them with someone. Share a good laugh with your child today - and make it a habit. Laugh a little and love a lot!

Make Math More Than Counting

Kids love to learn. They have a natural curiosity about the world around them and want to know how things work. They are seldom bored. The preschool years are exciting times to learn because everything is still possible. The answers aren't always right or wrong and a child's efforts to learn have not been scrutinized and evaluated. That is the way it should be at this level. The time will come soon when the "right" answer will be required, but at the preschool level it is more important to encourage curiosity and excitement about discovering than it is to get the right answer.

Sometimes parents wonder what they can do to give children a boost and a good start at school. For instance, can parents prepare children to learn math?

Yes, you can, and you don't have to push. You can help children learn math concepts simply by talking about all the ways you use math in your life. Math is more than counting. It is reasoning, recognizing, and matching shapes. It's observing repetitive patterns, sequencing, and sorting. When children help to sort the socks, count the number of steps to the basement, or set one spoon at each plate, they are participating in pre-math experiences. If we talk with children about what they are doing, we will help them gain math labels and vocabulary that will be a good foundation for more abstract thinking later on.

There are several roles parents can play to help children understand the math in their lives:

• Encourage children to be curious, to be involved, to explore and to solve problems creatively.

• Provide a variety of concrete, hands-on experiences, manipulating and moving objects.

• Talk with children to provide the math vocabulary they need to understand their experiences.

If you are curious about more ways you can help your child be comfortable with math and build a basis for understanding math concepts, call your county extension office and ask to view the videotape, Preschool Math: A Way of Living, #75715.

Remember to:

• Talk about things you do.
• Talk about places you go.
• Answer questions.
• Listen to your child.
• Read and talk about books.
• Tell stories together.
• Play games.
• Pretend with your child.
• Praise your child.

Focus On: Kindergarten

Kindergarten! The first year of school is a pretty exciting time. Even if your child has had daycare or preschool experience, the first day of "real school" is quite a milestone.

Even with all the excitement, the anticipation of the unknown can cause some fears. This calls for your acceptance of the fears as real and normal. Your reassurance is needed. It's normal to be afraid of new experiences. For a child, kindergarten is a new and different part of life. Listen and show interest in your child's concerns and questions.

Be sure your child understands that the teacher is there to help. The teacher will answer questions and help solve any problems that come along.

Here are some suggestions to help children prepare for kindergarten:

• Talk about what is likely to happen at school. Many of the things your child does at home will continue at school; playing games, singing songs, reading books, and playing with toys.

• Before school starts, visit the doctor, dentist, and eye doctor for a regular checkup. It's a good annual habit to develop, and some immunizations are required for school attendance.

• Make sure your child knows his or her whole name, address, phone number, and before-and-after school care arrangements.

• Visit school ahead of time, if possible, when children are there. Help your child find the appropriate bathroom while you are there. Also visit the cafeteria so that your child can see the children using trays to carry food. At home, let your child "pretend school" by carrying food items on a tray.

• Explain that learning takes time. Some children think they should be able to read after the first day.

• A few weeks before school, adjust mealtime and bedtime schedules to match what they will be like during school.

Planning ahead for transitions like this makes life easier for everyone. Make no exaggerated promises about what school will be like, but be positive, making it sound fun and exciting. Help your child realistically anticipate the adventure ahead!

You also may have some fears and sadness about sending your child to school for the first time. Your role as a parent is changing. Here are some suggestions to help make this change easier:

• Talk to the teacher. Before you go to visit, make a list of questions or concerns that you have. You know your child as no one else can; sharing this knowledge not only opens lines of communication but also helps the teacher.

• Let the teacher know about special events - a change in child care, a family divorce or death, or a visit from grandparents.

Keep Immunizations Up-to-date

You are part of a fortunate generation that has avoided many infectious diseases. This is, in part, because our parents and grandparents were witness to the horrible effects caused by many infectious diseases before vaccines were available. We need to continue to prevent unnecessary illness by having our children immunized.

When all children are immunized against a particular disease, the disease becomes rare. However, the potential for its recurrence still exists.

We put children at unnecessary risk when we become apathetic toward potentially infectious diseases and ignore immunizations. Some children may react to the medication, but even a slight fever is minimal compared to the illness that could occur if children are not immunized. Pediatricians can advise you about the appropriate age for immunizations. Most schools require proof of immunization before admittance.