Parental Concerns Associated with the Preschool Period

Common Health Problems of the Preschooler

The mortality of children during the preschool years is low and becoming lower every year as more infectious diseases are preventable.

• Major Causes of DEATH Automobile Accidents

Poisoning Falls

• MINOR ILLNESES Colds

Ear Infections Flu symptoms

Vomiting Diarrhea

Parental Difficulties Evaluating Illness In The Preschool Child

Evaluating seriousness of illness or condition Evaluating bowel and bladder problems

Evaluating nutritional intake Evaluating bedwetting

Evaluating activity as hyperactivity

Age-specific diseases to be aware of

Common Fears of the Preschooler

Preschoolers’ imaginations is so active, this can lead to a number of fears.

Fear of Separation or Abandonment Fear of the Dark

Fear of Mutilation

FEAR OF THE DARK

• Nyctophobia is the fear of the dark. The dark is a very real and very common fear for children between this age. Exhausted mothers and fathers are positive there is no monster hiding in the dark

room. The child is just as positive there is something. Just like the parent who looks up the meaning of a word and comes to

understand it, a child's fear of the dark can be handled the same way

FEAR OF THE DARK

It is an example of a fear heightened by a child’s vivid imagination;

Burning a dim light Reassurance that they are safe, that whatever was

chasing them was a dream and is not in their room.

“MOST PRESCHOOLERS DO NOT REMEMBER IN THE MORNING THEY HAVE SUCH A DREAM;THEY

REMEMBER FOR A LIFETIME THEY RECEIVED A COMFORT WHEN THEY NEEDED IT”

FEAR OF MUTILATION

revealed by the intense reaction of preschooler to even a simple injury such as falling and scrapping knee.

They need good explanations of the limits of health care procedures in order to feel safe.

FEAR OF SEPARATION OR ABANDONMENT

Intensifies due to their keen imagination that allows them to believe they are being deserted when they are not.

FEAR OF SEPARATION OR ABANDONMENT

• Tell your child when you’re leaving and when you’ll be back. Some parents feel it will be easier to sneak out when their child is settled. This can make things worse, because your child might feel confused or upset when he realizes you’re not around. He might then be more difficult to settle the next time you leave him. This is a helpful thing to do, even with babies.

• Say goodbye to your child briefly – don’t drag it out.

• Read books or make up stories with your child about separation fears. (For example, ‘Once upon a time, there was a little bunny who didn’t want to leave her mummy in the hutch. She was afraid of what she might find outside …’.) This might help your child feel that he’s not alone in being afraid of separating from his parents.

• Make a conscious effort to foster your child’s self-esteem by complimenting her and giving her lots of positive attention.

• Keep a relaxed and happy expression on your face when you’re leaving your child. If you seem worried or upset, your child might think the place is not safe.

• No matter how frustrated you feel, avoid criticising your child or being negative about her difficulty with separation. For example, avoid saying things like, ‘She’s such a mummy’s girl’ or ‘Don’t be such a baby’.

• To increase your child’s feelings of safety, let him take something he loves from home – for example, a teddy bear, pillow or blanket. These objects can be gradually phased out as he becomes more settled.

• Settle your child in an enjoyable activity before leaving.

• If you’re leaving your child in a new setting (child care centre, preschool, friend’s house, babysitter), spend time at the new place with your child before the separation occurs. The child needs to know she’s being left in a safe place with a person both you and she can trust. She’ll be less distressed if she’s left in a familiar place with familiar people.

• Gently encourage your child to separate by giving him practice. It's important to give him positive experiences of separations and reunions. Avoiding separations from your child can make the problem worse.

BEHAVIOR VARIATIONS

Telling Tall TalesImaginary FriendsDifficulty Sharing

RegressionSibling Rivalry

Telling Tall Tales

Stretching stories to make them seem more interesting is a phenomenon frequently happened in this age group.

Many kids lie because they know they’ve done something wrong and don’t want to

disappoint you and/or be punished. When your child tells the truth about

something she’s done wrong be sure to praise her.

Imaginary Friends

referred by Piaget as the immature stage of “magical thinking,” which children need to outgrow to achieve cognitive competence

Difficulty Sharing

• Around 3 years of age children begin to

understand that some things are theirs, some belong to

others and some can belong to both

Sibling Rivalry

• to help preschoolers feel secure and promote self-esteem, supplying them with a private drawer or box for their things that that parents or other children do not touch can be helpful.

Regression

• Usually the result of such things as a new baby in the family, a new school experience, seeing frightening and graphic television news, stress in the home from financial or other problems, marital difficulties or separation.

• Obviously the best way to help a child is removing the stressors or by assuring them that someone still loves them and will continue to care for them

Preparing for a New Sibling

After returning home from hospital, devote attention to your preschooler and spend some time together after the baby has gone

Provide special time for your preschooler during each day, so that when you say, “Mother and Daddy love you just the same,” it seems real.

While feeding the baby, read or tell a story to your preschooler.

Sex EducationAn important part of sex education for

preschoolers is teaching them to avoid sexual abuse, such as not allowing anyone to touch

their body unless they agree it is all right.

Choosing a Preschool or Child Care Center

A school or childcare experience is helpful for preschooler, as peer exposure appears to have a positive effect on

social development.

• Child Care Center an institution that provide child care while patients work or are otherwise occupied.

• Preschool or Nursery School is an institution dedicated to stimulating children’s sense of creativity and initiative and introducing them to new experiences and social contacts they would not ordinarily received at home.

Preparing a Child for School

• The first day of school can be a scary experience for a young child. So preparing the child for school is a must to do.

BE enthusiasticPrepare your child

Established a routineSaying goodbye

Broken Fluency• Is the repetition and prolongation of sounds, syllables, and words.

• Tips to improve fluency:• Do not discuss in a child’s presence the difficulty

she is having with speech.• Listen with patience to what a child is saying.

• Talk to her in a calm, simple way.• Protect space for her to talk if there are other

children in the family.• Do not force a child to speak if she doesn’t want

to• Do not reward her for fluent speech or punish her

for non-fluent speech.

Concerns of the Family with Chronically Challenged or Chronically Ill Preschool

Preschoolers who are physically challenged or who have chronic illnesses may have difficulty achieving a sense of initiative, because they may be limited in their ability to participate in

activities that stimulate initiative. They may need special playmates set aside for stimulation and

learning.