Pre-K/Elementary    
       

• Expressing your love to your child verbally or non verbally is important at all ages.

• If your child is not behaving as you would like on any given day it is important for you to tell your child that your love is unconditional                    
  

• When your child is young make a habit of tucking them in or reading a favorite story so that bedtime                         is not a punishment but a time to bond.

• As your child gets older you should adjust the ritual so that it is age appropriate.

• Many times parents have lots of things to do in a day, so if your child ask to help you give them a task because most of the time they just want to spend time with you and it will lighten your mood.                          
  

• Helping with daily chores or make dinner is something for children of all ages.

• Simple everyday occurrences can be made into helpful situations be creative.

        4.  Play with Your Children

• Being physically active is important not only for your kids but your health, so playing games outside being active will help your children enjoy the outdoors

• Relax around your kids and don't worry about being the "Adult" all the time. Show your kids that when they grow up they won't lose their sense of humor.

• Spending time with your child is very important, so make a event out of it and enjoy the one on one time together to see what your child likes, thinks about or believes.  Take a walk, see a movie, swim, go to a local museum.               
  

• If you have more than one child simply use a day system such as one child on Monday and another on Wednesday, this way everyone gets a chance to spend time with you.

• Let the children have input on the activity that you do.

Adolescence

• Talking with your preteen or teen can be difficult, but remember you to were that age once and be understanding of the things they are going through.

• As children get older they want to be treated older, which is fine, but remind them that they must act maturely to be treated so.

• Keeping the lines of communication open is very important in this stage of their lives. They spend most of their time with peers, so it is important that you are there to provide correct information on any subject presented.

• Many of the previous tips are something that can be kept constant thorough the childs life.

• Set aside time to speak with your child and ask them about their interests or what there day was like make sure to be an active lisenter. Show your child your listening by nodding, repeating important statements and being non judgmental.     

• If you want to ask your child a question don't ask questions that can be answer with a simple yes or no. Ask questions that require thought and will help the conversation.

• When you are looking for a time to talk to your child take advantage of every opportunity(Standing in line at a store, driving to school ,or in the morning while getting dressed).
  

Created by Jeremy Jewell, Ph.D., Alecia Casagrande, & Jill Turnage