Throughout March, our Character Essentials® curriculum focuses on teaching children the importance of patience. We find ways to get children excited about learning patience by integrating fun and creative lessons into their everyday routine. Here are a few ways you can do the same with your child at home:
- Take turns during games, wait for cookies to bake, and include your child in gardening activities. Use encouraging language such as, “Don’t give up! You’ve got this,” or “Stick with it!”. This shows your support as your child faces a new challenge and reassures them that it’s okay to take their time.
- Sing songs or play games with your child while they’re waiting for something. For example, if your child is hungry and waiting for their lunch to heat up, fill the waiting time with something fun and enjoyable. This might include a game of Peek-a-Boo, singing your favorite song, or reading aloud.
- Try the “First/Then” technique. Time can be a difficult concept for younger children. When using the First/Then technique, you would say, “First, we are cleaning up our toys, and then we can go outside!” Breaking up the day into smaller chunks that children can more easily comprehend helps them develop patience.
Remember, children at this stage will persist with repetitive tasks and attempt to accomplish more challenging tasks even when they encounter difficulties. Young toddlers may still need guidance from adults to develop calming or self-soothing strategies, while older toddlers have more developed coping skills and demonstrate the beginning of impulse control.
Here are some books that can also be helpful when teaching patience:
- “Are We Pears Yet?” by Miranda Paul
- “Cool Down and Work Through Anger” by Cheri Meiners
- “I’ll Wait, Mr. Panda” by Steve Antony
- “If You Plant a Seed” by Kadir Nelson
- “My Day Is Ruined!” by Bryan Smith
- “Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons” by Eric Litwin
- “Waiting Is Not Easy!” by Mo Willems
Click here to learn more about Character Essentials.
