Search:     Advanced search
Browse by category:
You are here: Parenting Resources Home / Service Providers / Preschoolers Moral Development


Preschoolers Moral Development
Print
Email to friend
Views: 480
Preschoolers and Moral Development

One of the keys to your preschooler's moral development is her growing capacity for empathy. As a toddler, your child was extremely egocentric. Whatever your toddler wanted to do she saw as the "right" thing to do. "Fairness" meant getting what she wanted. "Getting along with others" meant getting them to do what she wanted them to do.

But the preschool years mark your child's transition from egocentricity to empathy—or at least the potential for empathy. Your preschooler has probably become increasingly helpful and considerate of others over the last year. Of course, it's still a struggle for her. When forced to choose between her own self-interest and empathy, your four-year-old will still probably choose self-interest. Yet when her own self-interest is not threatened, your child may freely provide consideration and empathy to others.

You can help encourage the further development of your child's capacity for empathy by:

  • Modeling helpfulness and empathy yourself.
  • Paying attention to your child's feelings and encouraging her to talk about them. When you do, try to explore with your child what lies behind these feelings: why your child feels a certain way.
  • Talking about your own feelings. Be honest and explain why you feel the way you do.
  • Expressing concern for the feelings of others (including those of your child). If your child sees that you care about other's feelings, she will eventually absorb this same value.
  • Citing empathy for or consideration of others as reasons for rules or moral decisions whenever you can. For example: "I know you want the last piece of cake, but Christopher will be sad if he doesn't get a piece."
  • Making connections between your child's behavior and the feelings of others. Your preschooler won't always recognize how her behavior affects others. Clarify these connections for her. For example : "Did you see how the baby smiled when you gave her the rattle? That's her way of saying thank you."
  • Emphasizing the Golden Rule: Treat others as you would want to be treated.
Others in this Category
document Online Books for Children
document Medical ID Site Just for Kids
document Support Available for Families with Special Needs Children
document What Parents Should KNow About Treatment of Behavioral And Emotional Disorders in Preschool Children
document Dental Health Month
document Derby Kindergarten Readiness Checklist
document "A Child Becomes a Reader (Birth through Preschool)"
document Great Activities for Children and Families
document TEAM, Inc, Can Help Families with Husky!
document StoryTime for Preschoolers
document Valley Child Care Resource Guide
document Ansonia Community Family Resource Guide
document Study Looking for Families To Participate
document Healthy Tips If You Have Pets
document Where Does The Money Go?
document 211 Has Has New Search Engine to Assist Families
document Play Builds Skills
document Family Learning Time
document Increasing Math Curiosity
document What Children Can't Do Yet
document Helping Young Children Start School
document You Child's First Report Card
document Books for Children
document Easing Toddler Separation Anxiety
document Understanding Children's Teeth
document Jumping Raisins
document Preschool Bedwetting
document What Is A Book? First Steps To Learning To Read
document Stocking The Toy Shelf
document Toddler Sleep Disturbance
document Getting Your Three Year Old To Sleep
document Child Care In Hard Times
document Play It Safe in the Sun: A Guide for Parents
document Getting Ready For Kindergarten
document Peaceful Parenting
document Teaching Kids About Child Predators
document Teaching Children About Child Predators
document Keeping Kids Busy in A Restaurant
document 3-5 Year Old Milestones
document ANSONIA FAMILY RESOURCE FAIR
document DERBY KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
document SEYMOUR KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
document SHELTON KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
document Derby Kindergarten Checklist
document Top Ten Child Behavior Tips
document Allergies In Children
document AUTISM AWARENESS...YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
document Spring Turns Attention To Playground Safety
document Sun Safety For Children
document Teaching Patience
document Why Your Baby May Be Crying
document Building Resilience in Children
document Encouraging Your Child to be Physically Active
document Helping Kids Manage Conflict
document Talking To Children While Watching TV
document Two and Three Year Olds Are Excellent Negotiators
document Getting Your Child to Tidy Up!
document Top Tips for School Success
document Developmental Screening
document Developmental Milestones for 3-5
document Go Out And Play!
document Be a Good Citizen
document Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables For Healthy Living
document It's Flu Season-Stopping Germs!
document Important Milestones By The End of Four Years
document Simple Christmas Gifts On A Budget
document Ten Timely Tips: Helping Children Cope With Christmas Stress
document Every Child Deserves A Safe Home
document Why Understanding Your Child's Personality is So Important!
document Ten Things I Want To Teach My Child
document Determine If Your Child Is Active Enough
document Children and Ear Infections
document Postpartum Depression and Relationships
document Getting Everyone To Help
document Young Children and Discipline
document Getting To The Root of Problems In School
document When A Child Struggles In School
document Why Is Movement So Important?
document Spring Allergies
document Parent-Teacher Conferences at Elementary School
document Is Your Child Ready for Potty Training?
document Handling Toddler Tantrums
document When Mom Has a Temper Tantrum
document Victims of Emotional Bullying
document Preschool Bullies
document Winter Activities
document Raising Emotionally Healthy Children
document Tips and Toys for Valuable Play Experiences at Home
document The Importance of Storytime
document Quality Programs for Infants and Toddlers-A View from the Door.
document Getting Your Child Ready for a Child Care of Kindergarten Setting
document Information for Parents of a Preemie


RSS
Powered by KBPublisher (Knowledge base software)