AboutEvelyn Petersen Expertise I`ve been a weekly parenting columnist for the Knight Ridder papers for 18 years and have answered hundreds of parent questions on at least 200 different topics, most of which related to educational, behavioral and family issues. I`m also a mom, grandmom and author of 7 parenting books. My advice is practical, direct, and positive.
Experience My experience as a mother and grandmother is just as important as my 40 years in the field of education. My degrees are in Child and Family Life and Education. I've taught in settings from preschool centers to family homes, and from private and public schools to college classrooms. I'm also an active consultant for Head Start and other early childhood programs.
Organizations National Assn. for the Education of Young Children
Assn. for Childhood Education International
National Federation of Press Women
Publications Weekkly parenting columns in the Knight Ridder papers and Wire Service from 1984 to present
Author of eight books: "A Practical Guide to Early Childhood Planning" and "A Practical Guide to Early Childhood Curriculum, Second Ed" Allyn & Bacon; "Growing Happy Kids", "Growing Creative Kids", "Growing Thinking Kids", and "Growing Responsible Kids" McGraw-Hill/Totline imprint; "1,2,3, Blocks" McGraw-Hill/Totline imprint; and "Sams Teach Yourself e-Parenting Today" Macmillan USA. My writing also appears in the Nashville Tennessean, on women.com and on tnpc.com (The National Parenting Center)as well as on my own web site (www.askevelyn.com)and other link-related sites. I am also a regular feature writer for "Children and Families" magazine.
Education/Credentials BA Child Development/Family Life; Purdue University
MA Education (early ed priority); Central Mich. University
Awards and Honors Honored by the Michigan State Legislature and the Michigan Childrens' Trust Fund for the Prevention of Child Abuse for writing that helps to promote positive parenting skills. Winner of several Press Women Awards for various columns. Winner of Parents' Choice Recommended Award for the book "Growing Responsible Kids".
Question I have a 5 year old girl who has a best friend in the same class and that lives across the street from us. They truly are best friends in every way, however when a third child is introduced(playdate) They are one of 2 things. Mean to the friend and exclude them(what regularly happens on a daily basis at school) or they are jealous of each other and are mean to on and other(typically when the third friend is coming to their house). We live in a small town with only 8 girls in their class and so we would like to see some broadening of friendships? Help this is starting to cause problems at school.
Answer Dear Kim,
This is common among girls...more so than with boys. It is simply the way things usually happen when three instead of two girls play together. When they are about 8 or 9 years old, the group will be larger than three and the catty behavior will lessen.
Meanwhile you must find your child more friends; she needs a larger pool of peer frinedships to draw on. Get her into a play group at church, or get her into Brownies or try some of the YMCA or other community programs for fives. Consider beginning dance or gymnastics...anything where you can find her other new friends, and also make friends for yourself with other parents. Why is her class so small? Is this a private school? If there are other schools too look into these as another option. Evelyn
