Parenting Preschoolers

So you are in the mall, dragging your little one along behind you. She clearly doesn't want to be there. But what if she did?

Retailer Pottery Barn kids is sponsoring a host of kid-friendly events this summer that may provide enough incentive for your little one to happily join you on your next shopping excursion. They include a Father's Day Craft (in partnership with craft subscription service Kiwi Crate), a series of activities with National Geographic celebrating World Oceans Day and a book club every Tuesday morning. In addition, the store is sponsoring a Summer Reading Challenge for both older and younger readers. Read all the books on the list, and your little one can win lots of great prizes.

Does your preschooler like to go shopping with you?

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What are you doing on Saturday? Why not take your preschooler to a park?

Tomorrow, Saturday May 19, 2012 is the Second Annual Kids to Parks Day, sponsored by the National Park Trust. Over 200 cities and towns across the United States are planning events at national, state and local parks (our local park is hosting an anti-bullying rally).

If your park isn't hosting an event, there is still time. Visit the National Park Trust website for a free toolbox with fun park ideas. Even if you go and play on the playground, you are participating in the day and taking adventure of an important resource.

Will you participate in Kids to Parks Day?

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Image: Victoria Snowber

Monsters seem scary on the surface, but they really are just like you and me (and your preschooler). In Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters (compare prices) by Jane Yolen and illustrator Kelly Murphy tell the tale of two monsters who love to go to school and play and all sorts of other fun things. There's just one thing they aren't too happy about and that's going to bed. (See, they really are like your preschooler!)

Through Yolen's fun, rhyming text and Murphy's hilarious illustrations, we see the bedtime routine of the not-so-scary pair. A relatable story for both kids and adults, and a great one to pull off the shelf at bedtime. (Just be warned, all that laughing may keep you awake!)

Does your preschooler give you a hard time about going to bed?

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Image: Candlewick Press

When I first heard about the concept of monthly toy subscription services, I was doubtful, especially about the rentals. We have so many toys in our house, I was afraid of lost pieces, lost toys and a child who wouldn't want to give anything back! And as for toys your purchase through a subscription, I was concerned about someone else picking out toys for my little guy. But after researching a story about all the different toy subscription services (rental and purchase), I realized I had nothing to worry about.

Have you ever tried using a subscription toy service? What did you like about it? What didn't you like?

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Image: Amanda Rock

The other day, a mom I had just met on the playground was lamenting to me that her nearly four-year-old daughter still sometimes used a pacifier at night. She was clearly ashamed, especially when I had told her that none of my kids ever really used a "binky." I felt bad because it seemed like she was at the end of her rope and didn't know quite how to handle it.

Unfortunately, a quick poll of the other moms on the playground found that her child was indeed the oldest one still using one, not making her feel any better at all!

Lucky for her, there are a few methods you can employ when trying to convince a preschooler to stop using a pacifier, including cold turkey and even a visit from the "Binky Fairy." How old was your child when he stopped using a pacifier? How did it happen?

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My preschooler eats well enough, but I'd still consider him a picky eater. He's got his favorite foods and has really very little interest in straying from them. So my new mission lately has been to get him to try new things. But how?

Erin Dow, Expert Chef at Guiding Stars has bunch of great ideas and she's shared them with us here, along with a great recipe for Blueberry Cake make with tofu that your kids will be sure to gobble up. (Really!)

Is your preschooler in an eating rut?

Related: How to Get Kids Cooking

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Image: Guiding Stars

I love my children's birthdays more than any other days out of the whole year (even my own). The days leading up to the big event I spend planning, wrapping and baking and then when the day arrives, nothing can stop me from smiling.

Happy Birthday, Mouse! (compare prices) by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond is a great story to read around your little one's birthday. The mouse in the story (from If You Give... series [compare prices]) is celebrating his birthday and of course is celebrating with a very special treat.

The story is easy-to-follow and has a lot of cheerful pictures with bright colors to look at.  Don't be surprised if your little one wants to read it all the time -- on his birthday or even after attending the party of a friend.

How do you celebrate your preschooler's birthday?

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Book cover image: HarperCollins/PriceGrabber

In celebration of "Get Caught Reading Month," the Association of American Publishers is mailing out free posters (shipping and handling is $5 per set, up to 12) of popular characters and celebrities reading. Posters include pictures of Clifford the Big Red Dog, Dora the Explorer, members of the Miami Heat basketball team, former First Lady Laura Bush and more.

Reading to your preschooler can be one of the most important things you do. Studies show time and time again how beneficial reading is to a child's developing brain, not to mention the quality time and closeness you get to spend with your little one.

What is your favorite book to read to your preschooler?

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While I try to teach my kids about their country on a regular basis, I feel like the summertime is when we do most of our talking about the United States. It makes sense I guess, with three major patriotic holidays (Memorial Day, Flag Day and July Fourth) falling within two months of each other.

It may be hard for a preschooler to understand the concept of the United States or even what a country is, but you can certainly introduce the idea to her through books, games and toys. These Patriotic Toys for Preschoolers do a good job of teaching little ones about what the U.S. is, as well as about the people who live there, its cities and more. There are also toys that teach about the president and even a singing toy that will introduce a popular folk favorite.

Have you started teaching your preschooler about where she lives?

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Image: VTech/PriceGrabber

How do you find the energy to get through a busy day with your preschooler? For mom to three and soccer star Mia Hamm, it's balancing a healthy diet along with incorporating plenty of activity. As spokesperson for the Grain Foods Foundation, she's been working to help busy families make good food choices to help them stay active and healthy.

Read my interview with her here, and find out how she finds time for herself, her favorite foods and how she and her family have fun together.

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