Three- and four-year-olds are not yet ready to learn complex facts about alcohol and other drugs, but they can learn the decision-making and problem-solving skills that they will need to refuse alcohol and other drugs later in life.
What You Can Do
- Set aside regular times when you can give your child your full attention; reading books, playing together or taking walks to build strong bonds of trust.
- Explain how medicine can be harmful if used incorrectly.
- Explain why children need healthy food and should only put good things into their bodies.
- Provide guidelines that teach your child what kind of behavior you expect, such as basic rules for how to get along with other children.
- Encourage your child to follow instructions; for example following a recipe and measuring ingredients.
- Use play time as a way to help your child handle frustrating situations and solve simple problems. A tower of blocks that keeps collapsing can drive a child to tears; but you can offer a few suggestions to keep it up, or ask your child what he or she thinks is the best way to do it.
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