Parents usually need no encouragement to maintain their involvement in the lives of their toddlers and preschoolers, especially in the arenas of nutrition, sleep, and physical activity.

We would like to encourage you to begin monitoring the impact of society and culture on your preschooler. 

For the past 35 years child psychologists have been warning parents of the harmful influence of our society on childhood.  Beginning in 1981, child psychologist Dr. David Elkind wrote The Hurried Child - Growing Up Too Fast Too Soon.  Then in 1998, Michael and Diane Medved coauthored Saving Childhood - Protecting our Children from the National Assault on Innocence, and in 2005, Dr. Jim Taylor published Your Children are Under Attack - How Popular Culture Is Destroying Your Kids' Values, and How You Can Protect Them.

What can you monitor?

• The books your child is reading - at home, at preschool
• The television programs your child is viewing - at home, day care
• The cell phone apps and computer games your child is using
• The friends your child is playing with

How do you monitor?

• Ask your child what books she likes to read / hear in preschool
• Go into your child's preschool classroom and read some of the books
• Invite children to your home for play dates

Begin value conversations.
Start asking questions that teach values.  "Is it kind to act like that?"  "How would it make you feel if someone teased you?"
Check in with your child's preschool teacher and ask value-oriented questions.  "What would you do if my child lied to you?"
Discuss values during family meals