Mornings with preschoolers can be a busy time, filled with food preparation, dressing, and gathering necessities for the upcoming day. If you find yourself inhaling eggs while your child runs from room to room wearing only one shoe, it might be time for a morning routine reset. Taking the time to talk together before you set out on your days can make a huge difference in the life of your family. You don’t need a complete morning overhaul to switch things up. Even a few minutes of talking together around the kitchen table or on the drive to preschool can set the tone for the day and provide a moment of connection. To give you some inspiration, here are six questions to ask your child every morning.
What are you excited for today?
This question can help positively frame your child’s experience by priming their brain to focus on great things that happen to them over the course of the day. These highlights can be as simple as a new friend at preschool, wearing their favorite socks, or getting to draw with brand new markers. Asking your child what they’re eager to experience can help you learn more about their interests, hopes, and daily experiences.
What are you feeling thankful for today?
Helping your child to build a habit of gratefulness will serve them in both their childhood and their later adult life. Asking what your child is thankful for will also help them identify the small but essential parts of everyday life that bring them joy.
Is there anything you are feeling worried about today?
It’s important that your child feels that they can share their concerns with you, no matter how small. Your child may be thinking about a toy in need of repair, an upcoming activity, or even topics they hear the adults in their life discussing. When your child shares a concern, use the technique of validation to help them feel acknowledged. While you may want to jump in and solve the problem for them, they may simply need to express their frustration to feel heard. If they do need reassurance, offer them comfort and help them brainstorm possible solutions. Your response might sound something like this, “I hear that you’re feeling worried that you might not get to play with the red ball today. That can feel so frustrating! Would you feel comfortable asking your teacher if you can play with it during recess today?”
What could you do to help someone today?
Preschoolers spend much of their day being helped by adults. They need help preparing food, getting dressed, reaching items, and accomplishing some fine motor tasks. However, you may notice your child offering to pour milk for you, put away dishes in lower cabinets, share a toy, or prepare a pretend meal for enjoyment. Many children want to help with daily tasks, and asking them this question can let them reflect on how they can be helpful to others. Could they help pass out crafting supplies at preschool? Use a small brush and dustpan to sweep up crumbs? Bring their dishes next to the sink for washing? Hang their coat on a child-height peg? Pick out their outfit for tomorrow? This question also encourages them to practice empathy. Maybe they could offer a hug, share a toy, or give a kind word to a friend in need.
What music do you want to hear?
Before or after your short check-in, take a moment to play some music that your child loves. Those tunes may give your child’s brain a boost of dopamine to help them start their day. (And, after you’ve dropped them off at preschool, definitely fire up your favorite Spotify playlist for some parent-friendly tunes as well!)
What would make tonight fun?
Taking a moment to plan for a family fun time together that evening can give your child something to look forward to during the after-school pickup. They may want to read a book together, bake some cookies, or watch a favorite movie.
Building a Strong Relationship With Your Child
The Gardner School stands behind our unique approach to pre-K education. In warm, supportive classrooms, our students learn the academic skills they need for preschool and the social-emotional skills that will help them socially. Our nurturing teachers meet students where they are to help foster their growth. To learn why parents choose The Gardner School to help their children to grow and learn, contact us to learn more or to schedule a virtual tour.