Discipline at this age is challenging. We recommend that parents address bad choices/behaviors in private, providing appropriate and clearly stated limits and consequences if rules are broken. Nagging and idle threats by parents are ineffective. Follow through with a stated consequence when rules are broken. The positive effects of praise are often more powerful behavior modifiers than negative reinforcement (such comments as “I really like it when you let your friends play with your toys” or “thank you for waiting quietly while your father and I talked”). Maintain active communication with your child. An interest in your child’s daily activities promotes a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem. Hug and praise your child.

Helping your kids make good decisions is more important than trying to protect them from everything. Good mentors engage with their kids about technology by actually playing games with them and talking about responsible internet and video game use. From the start, tell your children that you will be monitoring them.

Questions about bodies & sex can start now. Answer each question as accurately and concretely as possible without judgement, and use correct anatomical terms. It is also important to start talking with your child about how to maintain body boundaries and how to say no to unwanted physical touch.