Scripts · Kin Compass
What to say to a preschooler: scripts for hard moments
Short, practical scripts for the moments that tend to go sideways with a preschooler. Each page gives the exact words, why they tend to work, and where the ideas come from. They come from the script library in the Kin Compass app.
Scripts
TransitionsWhat to say when your child won't leave the parkWhen a preschooler doesn't want to leave the park, daycare or a friend's house, shouting "time to go" rarely works.BedtimeWhat to say when your child keeps getting out of bedWhen bedtime turns into ten more requests, or your child keeps walking out after lights out, long conversations tend to make it last longer.New experiencesHow to prepare your preschooler for the doctor or a haircutA new place, a doctor, a haircut: for some preschoolers the unknown is harder than the thing itself.DirectionsWhat to say when your preschooler doesn't listenWhen you've said it three times and nothing happens, repeating it louder rarely helps.MealtimesWhat to say when your preschooler refuses to eat dinnerWhen a preschooler says "I'm not eating that", pushing, bargaining or hiding the vegetables tends to turn dinner into a standoff.MorningsWhat to say when your preschooler refuses to get dressedIf your preschooler digs in every morning when it's time to get dressed, three small changes usually help: let them choose the clothes the night before, give one instruction at a time instead of a list, and connect getting dressed to something they want.MorningsWhat to say when mornings are always a rush with your preschoolerWhen mornings never move fast enough, repeating "hurry up" rarely makes anything faster.SiblingsWhat to say when siblings fight over a toyTwo children, one toy, and a grab: it tends to escalate fast.TantrumsWhat to do when your child has a tantrum in the storeWhen a preschooler melts down in the middle of a shop, the instinct is to talk, bargain or hurry.ScreensWhat to say when it's time to turn off the tablet or TVTurning off a tablet or TV is one of the most common daily flashpoints with a preschooler.After a meltdownWhat to say to your child after a tantrumOnce the tantrum is over, the temptation is to explain, lecture or ask "why did you do that?".
Also free
Prefer paper? Print one of the free routine charts for mornings, after daycare, dinner and bedtime.
Practical communication techniques, not medical advice, and not a substitute for your pediatrician or therapist. Written by the developer of Kin Compass from published parent-training material and the app's script library; no parenting or clinical experience is claimed.