Emotions are a natural part of life, and young children have big feelings that can shift quickly. At Park West we don’t think children need to be protected from their feelings, and we don’t try to jolly them through feeling sad that mom left, or feeling mad that they can’t have all the turns with the dump truck. We think it’s important to help children recognize, express and manage their emotions.

Building rituals and routines can be useful and fun for children and families. As young children begin to make sense of their world, making some things predictable can help them manage everyday challenges.

Have you heard teachers in your child's classroom helping children take turns with toys? Some of the most common squabbles occur when more than one child wants to use a toy or material. We like to protect kids' work with materials, but we also help them find the language to ask each other for turns, tell somebody when they're not finished, and ultimately pass the toy along to the child who is waiting when they are finished.

The start of school is full of new challenges for young children. It may be their first school experience, or they may be changing schools or classrooms. They may be meeting new children or teachers, and separating from parents and other caregivers. It’s not hard to imagine the feelings this newness may inspire. Even the most adventurous child might feel shy, nervous, uncertain or afraid. You can prepare yourself with some tools to support your child as they face a new school year, or any new challenges that arise.