Two options are better than one

Your preschooler has boundless energy, endless enthusiasm and strong passions which can present a daunting challenge to parents. Here is one effective strategy to quickly redirect your preschooler’s behavior in a positive way.

When your child’s behavior takes a sudden turn in the wrong direction, offer her two options and allow her to choose what option suits her best. By phrasing the question in a way that she cannot simply answer “yes” or “no,” you are giving her a feeling of control over her life while still being able to guide her options.

If she refuses to choose one of the options explain that you are able to make the choice for her, but she may not like what you choose. This will usually only happen a few times as preschoolers enjoy making their own decisions and quickly catch on to the fact that you might not choose the option they would prefer.

Preschooler: “I want to go play outside in the rain.”
Parent: “We can’t go play out in the rain right now, but you can choose if you want to play with play dough or paint a picture. Which would you like to do?”
Preschooler: “I want to go play outside in the rain.”
Parent: “You can choose to play with play dough or to paint a picture. If you don’t want to choose, I can choose for you. Which would you like to do?”
Preschooler: “I want to paint a picture.”

Darcie Brown, a Licensed Kindermusik Educator at The Little Brown Music Studio, specializes in early childhood development and music.