Twelve things to teach your children during their pre-school years:

To love music: Sing with them and to them. Play CD's, tapes and the radio. Sing along while you listen. Buy them toy instruments or encourage them to drum with a big pot and a spoon or whatever else you can think of.

To dance: Dance to the music you love. You don't have to teach them specific steps because they'll make up their own. Get out of breath and laugh as you dance together.

To use their hands: Let them draw, paint, and play with clay. Make cookies together. Let them feel the joy of texture and of creating.

To love books: Read to them and take them to the library. Buy them books for their own home library. Keep them in an easy-to-reach place. Encourage them to take books with them if you know they may have to wait in a waiting room or for a bus. Talk about the stories and the characters in their books. The characters of good books will remain in their memories forever.

To do things for themselves and to help you: Encourage them to do simple tasks such as setting the table and putting their laundry in the hamper. Let them dust the furniture even if they don't do it the way you would. They are learning. Even if they start refusing to cooperate when they reach ten or twelve, their early responsibilities would have influenced them in the right direction.

To hug: This is truly one of the most important items on this list. A big tight hug is the best vitamin to prevent problems and the best medicine for problems that come up anyway. Teach your kids to love them: giving them and getting them.

To share: This can be a tough one but it is well worth it. If your child is close in age to a sibling, it may be an even bigger challenge. He will need this skill the day he starts playgroup or pre-school. Knowing how to share is more than just important. It is crucial for coping and living in the real world.

To talk to adults: Give them opportunities to talk to grown-ups other than yourself. They will appreciate this when they grow up. Their conversation skills will be a significant strength and a useful tool in life. They will have more self-confidence and communicate better.

To respect senior adults: Be friendly to the seniors you meet when you are out with your children. Set an example. Explain how older people have lived long lives and are interesting people to get to know.

To walk: Take them for walks around the neighbourhood, in the park, at the zoo. It is great exercise, great together time and a wonderful way to see and learn.

To appreciate nature and the outdoors: This goes hand and hand (and so will you and your children!) with item 10. While you're walking, you can look at, touch, and smell the trees, grass, flowers, birds, interesting pets or insects and a million other things.

Teach them that you will always listen to them and accept them for who they are: If they are sad, you will listen. If they are frustrated or angry, you will have patience and try to understand everything that they are feeling. If they are afraid, you will help them overcome their fears. Always take what they say seriously. No matter how tired or overwhelmed you are, you will listen to your children, because that is your job.

About the Author Miriam Lock grew up in Chicago and has been living in Israel since 1983. She is a freelance writer who writes mostly non-fiction, including book reviews, health and parenting articles. She also writes children's stories and poetry. Miriam is an experienced mother of three children, ages 19, 16, and 10.