10 Preschool Characteristics You Need to Know

Preschoolers love life. They wiggle, giggle and charm you with their cute smiles and the hilariously funny things they say.

If you’re the parent of a preschooler, you know about many of these characteristics, but have you considered how they can help you spiritually nurture your child?  Here are 10 preschool characteristics that can help you as a parent (and as a teacher/leader).

1. Preschoolers like to learn.

Seems as if they’re learning something new about life everyday. Take advantage of your child’s rapid ability to learn by giving him new experiences and teaching him new concepts and words. teach him about the awesomness of God. Stretch his young, eager mind by teaching him biblical concepts above and beyond the typical Bible “story.”

2. Preschoolers like to ask questions.

One way they learn is by asking questions – hundreds of questions. How many times has a parent heard “But why, Mom?” or “How come, Dad?” They have questions about everything, and we as adults can choose to deal with those questions either patiently or impatiently. When children ask the hard questions about God, we can remind them that God is different from us, that He knows everything, and that He’s everywhere.  Being patient listeners to our children now will encourage them to continue to come to us later with their tougher-to-ask questions without fear of being laughed at or ignored.

3. Preschoolers watch and observe.

They learn by watching what other people are doing. That’s why they pretend they’re cooking dinner, going to work, or traveling on an airplane. They watch and they imitate. They also watch how Dad and Mom respond to tough situations. How many children have scolded a doll using the same tone of voice or word choice a parent used on them? Let them hear you say things that are God-honoring. Allow them to observe you as you help a neighbor or invite a missionary to dinner.

4. Preschoolers enjoy repetition.

They’ll ask for the same book to be read to them over and over. They have favorite songs they like to listen to. We can use this desire for repetition by repeating a verse or concept multiple times during the day. Reviewing is the key to learning and preschoolers are natural reviewers.

5. Preschoolers have fears.

Children can be afraid of dogs, thunder, monsters, new places, bugs and various other things, some of which make no sense. What an excellent opportunity to emphasize God’s continual presence. Our encouragement should be that God is with us, helping us to be brave – not that He’ll always protect us from the mean dog next door. God doesn’t promise us immunity from bad things (Matthew 5:45; Romans 12:12) but He does promise to help us through all things.

6. Preschoolers want the approval of adults.

Sometimes we’re quick to show disapproval when a child does something wrong. Our emphasis should be on approval for what the child does right.

7. Preschoolers confuse real and make believe.

As parents (and teachers), we need to be clear as to what is true and what is made up knowing that if we say it, they’ll believe it. Parents need to consistently teach children (by word and example) that God is aawesome and that He’s with us at all times and in all places. We need to preface made-up stories as pretend.  We need to emphasize that God’s Word is truth.

8. Preschoolers love silliness.

God created them that way so when they collapse in silly giggles because they put a hat on a dog, laugh with them. Remind them that God created fun. (Remember to occassionally thank God for laughter when you pray.)

9. Preschoolders understand right from wrong.

Any parent of a three-year-old can instantly see the guilt on a child’s face as he explains that he didn’t take the cookie. We need to teach our children what God says in His Word. We need to show them verses that command us to be honest, kind and forgiving.Obedience to God is one way we show our love for HIm. Most children this age can’t read, but we can tell them what the Bible says and how important it is to listen to God’s Word.

10. Preschoolers seek forgiveness.

They understand when they’ve done something wrong and they want Dad and Mom to be happy with them (another aspect of seeking approval). That’s why God – our Creator and the One who knows all – understand that we need a Savior. That’s why He sent His Son to die for us on the cross – so that our sins can be forgiven. That’s the ultinate demonstration of forgiveness, an aspect of grace from our loving heavenly Father.