Age specific questions from about 3 years to about 5 years. Yonger: toddler. Older: primary-schooler.

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13
votes
4answers
1k views

How can we potty-train our pre-schooler outside the home?

We're having problems with our 3.5 year-old boy concerning potty training: Since his birth it seems, that being cleaned is much more unpleasing to him than running around with brimful diapers for ...
14
votes
10answers
6k views

My 5 year- old daughter is constantly defiant!

My 5-year old daughter is very defiant. It started getting bad about 6 months ago. She doesn't do what she is told, and any time she hears the word no she throws terribly over dramatic fits screaming ...
15
votes
5answers
2k views

At what age can/should a child be able to clean themselves after bowel movements?

How can parents find the right time to encourage a child to clean itself after bowel movements? Our son is nearly 4 years old and it is still difficult for him to get to the toilet early enough (see ...
8
votes
8answers
3k views

Help! My 5 year old just won't poop on the toilet

I don't know what to do. We have been trying to get our son to poop in the toilet since he was 3. He is now 5 and shows no signs of starting any time ever. He has done it once or twice but he poops in ...
8
votes
5answers
209 views

What are some age-appropriate tasks that my pre-schooler can do around the house?

My wife and I both work full time, this means when we are at home we are both quite busy with housework. This could be in the yard or inside. As my son is an only child and he wants to spend more ...
12
votes
7answers
6k views

Why does my child eat so slowly?

When we have a family meal, the middle daughter will always take her time. I mean up to 2 hours, to finish a meal, especially if its not her kind of food. She'll get very easily distracted, sing to ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views

How can I toilet train my reluctant pre-schooler? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Help! My 5 year old just won't poop on the toilet We have a not quite 4 year old boy who refuses to toilet train. We have tried everything, including you can have ...
31
votes
13answers
2k views

As an atheist, how should I explain theism to my children?

I have two competing interests here and I'm not entirely sure how to handle this. On one hand I feel that the short answer, to questions about gods, of "some people believe that, but it's not true" is ...
10
votes
4answers
340 views

How should I react if another child “attacks” my son by doing something he does not like (but not especially dangerous)

Recently I was in the following situation: I wanted to pick up my son (4.5 years old) in the kindergarten and another child was throwing bark mulch at him. I don't consider this especially ...
8
votes
2answers
730 views

When to allow children to consume sugar/candy/sweets/junk?

We have so far not allowed our toddler (20-months) any foods that contain sugar (chocolate, cake, sweets, sweetened juice, etc.) on the premise that consuming sugar is not needed and only causes ...
11
votes
10answers
949 views

How can I get my 4 year old to clean up toys without a battle?

Multiple times during the day, we have our 4 year old take a break from playing to clean up her toys. It's a huge battle every time. Usually, she ends up on the ground saying that there are too many ...
9
votes
3answers
4k views

How do you teach young kids to defend themselves?

How do you teach kids to defend themselves, without becoming bullies? I'm talking about younger kids (1.5 to 3yo) who are not mature enough (or old enough) to take self-defense classes. My son is two ...
6
votes
3answers
631 views

Attention-promoting activities for a toddler

ADD runs in our family ("in fact, it practically stampedes"), and I'm starting to see my toddler's attention become more and more difficult for him to control; he's beginning to have difficulty ...
6
votes
5answers
155 views

How to ensure that necessary things get done when time is short?

My question is based on the following assumptions: I think that children learn by their success, if a certain behavior "works" to get what they want or not. In consequence: A child should never ...
9
votes
6answers
486 views

How can I make my preschool child brush his teeth, and similar mandatory tasks?

Most tasks and chores can be taught by letting the child experience consequences, because those consequences are mostly immediate and direct (e.g. not going to the playground if the child won't put on ...
6
votes
1answer
148 views

Retrain toddler to potty?

My toddler was using the potty frequently when he turned about 2.5 years, then after Memorial weekend, he suddenly stopped going. He seems to hold it forever and is very stubborn. I haven't had him ...
13
votes
5answers
3k views

At what age should opposite-sex siblings stop bathing together?

When should I stop bathing my son and daughter together? What signs can I watch for that would indicate that they should be separate? Also, what are the average ages in the US and other countries and ...
11
votes
4answers
356 views

How to get a child to stop pretending to choke on foods he doesn't want to eat?

I have a 4 1/2 yr old. We're at the stage where he's definitely finicky over foods. The issue is not so much that he's finicky, but that he expresses it by taking a bite and then mock choking. I am ...
3
votes
3answers
238 views

How do we choose when to start kindergarten?

Each school has its own cut off for kindergarten. When a child falls on or very close to that cut off what criteria should you use to determine which kindergarten class he should go in. I know both ...
2
votes
1answer
192 views

Is it possible to give adult milk powder or powder of higher age group to toddlers?

I wanted my little ones to grow stronger, faster and smarter. So, is it recommended to give toddlers or little ones milk powder of higher age group or adult milk? e.g. For my kid of age 5, is it ...
1
vote
1answer
303 views

My 4.5yr-old girl is afraid of death. What should I do?

Last night my wife (as usual) was putting our 4.5yr-old baby girl to sleep. Our daughter becomes very chatty at that time and (especially in the presence of mom) expresses thoughts and things that ...
1
vote
2answers
142 views

How can I help my pre-schooler be more confident and assertive in competitive play situations?

In a certain type of games, where children are expected to run to a goal point (1) and then to perform something (2), e.g. to run to a bag full of toys and then quickly grab the best toy ahead of ...