Includes bibliographical references and index.

The expectation tightrope -- What do we know about young children? -- Our words matter -- Play doesn't mean only dress up -- Socialization expectations: You cannot fail playing -- Behavioral expectations: Creating citizens through appropriate expectations of behavior -- Emotional capacity: Sometimes children have a bad day too -- Preschool classroom habits: Rethinking your routine -- Sheep aren't made of cotton balls: The importance of self-expression -- Readiness for reading and writing: Observing the development of the whole child -- Realistic expectations of ourselves: Creating a mindful plan -- Parent education about appropriate practice: How to ease their fears.