A nursery teacher has listed the most common mistakes parents make with their children after claiming she has "seen it all'.
Maria Biggins, has worked with children for more than 40 years and says setting boundaries is one of the seven most important things parents should do with their children.
Speaking to Fabulous about the seven mistakes she has witnessed parents repeat throughout the years and what she thinks they should do instead.
Never saying no or setting boundaries
Maria said saying no to your child might be hard to do but it is needed to set boundaries which they will need to understand through their life
She has warned parents that if you say yes to all their requests your little ones will be "ill-equipped" for the "real world".
Overindulging
Maria said failing to set firm boundaries and expectations can lead to youngsters developing unhealthy habits which are difficult to break.
She cites the combination of the pandemic, lockdowns and homeschooling with remote working as a reason why the issue is being seen more in the under 4s.
She is advising parents to use consistency, stick to routines which will result in well-rounded children.
Too many toys
Maria said: "I think that one of the mistakes parents make is thinking they have to have something new all the time. They don't."
She explained that children like the familiar and they like to play with the same things again and again adding that it is very important for their development.
Using an example of a Playmobile, Maria explained that every time a child plays with it they create a new story.
This not only enhances their play time but greats more interested in learning new things.
Too much choice
The expert says giving children too many choices and asking them to make all the decisions is damaging.
By adults making certain decisions for them instead it makes them feel secure which is one of the things they like about going to school. This way they know what to expect and how to react and behave.
It also helps youngsters to thrive even if they don't like the fact they haven't made the decision.
A balance with choice
That said, Maria says children must be tasked with having enough choices.
Maria said if parents choose everything children will become unable to make their own choices.
This will affect their ability to evaluate situations and make decisions which is essential as they get older.
By giving your children some freedom it means they can pick toys that suit their age, stage and mood which will aid their physical and cognitive skills.
Failing to potty train
Maria says it's very important to make sure your child can use the toilet independently. If they can't, she says, they are being deprived of learning-focused activities that promote child development.
It will also affect their class mates as a staff member will have to take them to use the toilet and due to child protection safeguarding there will have to be two workers doing so.
She said: "It's time-consuming when you're trying to teach. There's always got to be two of you around, we have to have gloves on, you have to write it all down and log any intimate care."
In addition children who are potty-trained are more confidence as they know they're doing something that "big girls and boys" do.
Failing to say goodbye when you leave
Maria said you might think you're doing a good thing if you sneak away away from nursery if your child is clingy or cries when you try and leave but you're not.
She says: "We'll deal with the tears, but you have to say goodbye. I think it's wrong to run away. You're just reinforcing the fact that they can't trust you."
Maria explained every time you say goodbye it is also an opportunity to tell your child that you will return.
It is also important that when your children hear it they understand that you will always come back.
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