5 Tips To Improve Patience with Kids from a Daycare Teacher

Patience is a virtue, and no one knows that more than a Daycare or Preschool teacher.

Taking care of, raising, and teaching children can be a tiring task that can suck our patience dry sometimes. Many parents look for ways and methods to help increase their patience with their children at home when the times happen. So we thought we would pass along some of our tips for improving patience levels with children. 

5 Tips To Improve Patience with Kids from a Daycare Teacher

 

Listen to the Kids

One of the most important things to do when it comes to having patience with children is to really listen to them, especially when they are upset over something.

Children want to know that you hear them and are paying attention to their concerns and feelings. 

Crouch down to the child’s level and ask them what’s bothering them. Actively listen, make eye contact, and repeat back their main theme so they know that you are listening. 

When you really listen to your child, they’ll be more likely to listen to you and communication will continue to grow easier and easier. And with good communication usually comes an extra measure of patience.

Try Redirecting Your Child

Every child will need redirecting at some point. Maybe they’re having a tantrum, or maybe you just need to get them away from a very noisy toy. Redirecting can really help in these situations and can extend your patience levels as well. 

Try to pull your child’s attention to something quiet and simple with words like “Would you like to color?” or “Let’s build a block tower together!”

Redirecting is a effective tool for helping a child ease down from some big emotions and is simple enough that it takes very little of your patience to use it. 

Set Small Goals

Patience doesn’t develop overnight, so don’t be hard on yourself as a parent. Set small goals for yourself and your kids and take it slow until each new goal becomes a normal habit in your house.

Focus on one area of life where you could use some more patience. It could be your morning routine, getting your children to clean up their toys, or getting a good bedtime rhythm going. Choose that one area, and then look for baby steps that can help you use more patience. 

Once you’ve solidified that new habit, you can move on to another one. The simpler your goals are, the more likely it is that the goal will stick.

Don’t Forget Your Own Needs, Too

Parents often forget their own needs while taking care of their families. It’s pretty easy to do. But you need to make sure you are taking care of your needs as well.

Your needs are nutrition, sleep, some quiet time, and socialization with other adults. 

Some parents feel guilty when they do things for themselves. If you’re one of those parents, just remember that you can only pour into your children’s cups if your pitcher is full. If your pitcher is empty, then it affects your children as well.

Try starting with a small routine like going to the grocery store once a week by yourself and stopping for a coffee or some quiet time somewhere while you are out. Or it could be taking the time in the morning or evening to read a book. It could even be setting up a playdate where you get to interact with other parents while your kids have fun with each other.

Just start small and make it a regular part of your week or month. A little “me time” can go a long way in improving your patience with your children.

Get Some Extra Help

Whether it is family nearby or a reliable babysitter that can help you out a few times a month, extra help is always beneficial and there’s no shame in asking for it. 

Enrolling a child in a great preschool so that you can work alone throughout the week is also a great option for many families. Not only will you have some extra childcare help, but your son or daughter will gain a solid foundation of skills for kindergarten and beyond, develop social skills, make new friends, and gain some independence.