I work closely with parents of kids as young as 4, and I often have parents ask me if their expectations are too high. Should I expect my 5 year old to help with chores? Should my four year old know not to do that? Each child is different, and you will end up shaping your expectations around your children as they grow and develop. But below are a few unrealistic expectations for children that I've seen or heard in my practice:

Building routines for pre-school aged students is all about preparation. You want to ensure that your young child knows the plan, knows the expectations, and has ample time to ask clarifying questions (even if those questions are just variations on "why?"). Make sure to set a schedule that's easy for both you and your child, and consider getting a second opinion from a professional if it ever feels like your pre-schooler is more anxious, frustrated, or angry than the other kids at the morning drop off.