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Life Skills
Point Your Preteen Toward Future Success
By Silvana Clark
Many preteens are naturally self-absorbed. Show them there's a world beyond school lunch catastrophes. Help your son or daughter find a place to do volunteer work. Can she collect old newspapers to donate to a Humane Society shelter for puppy pens? Would your budding actor be interested in performing at a senior center? What if your daughter helps with preschool story time? You're not looking for full-time volunteer work. Volunteering a few hours a month helps children see that their skills and talents are valuable to others. One 9-year-old went to several hotels, asking for donations of small bottles of shampoo and soaps. She put them in small resalable bags and donated them to a homeless shelter.
The next time your grownup preschooler answers you with a one-word answer, repeat your mantra, "I need you to answer in a full sentence before I decide if I'm driving you to Ashley's house." Role play situations that help children learn how to give polite replies to adults. When Aunt Martha visits and asks, "What grade are you in, sweetie?" have your daughter reply with, "I'm in fourth grade now, Aunt Martha."