Preschool Development
Ages 3-4
Physical
Size and Body
Rapid growth starts to slow
Start to lose baby fat
Muscles and bones further develop, making the child physically stronger
- Proportion is similar to that of an adult
Motor Skills/Growth Patterns
Able to support body with one leg for up to five seconds
Throw and kicks
Learns to use scissors
Gains ability to move forward and backward with increased agility
Traces images and certain letters
- Better balance and muscle action
Emotional
Temperament
Increased sense of independence
Displays self assurance
Home-centered- like to stay around parents
Still in the process of learning the concept of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’
- Have a sense of responsibility
Disposition/How They Show Feeling
Defiant, stubborn
Emotions are usually extreme and short lived
Generally aggressive, easily aggravated
- Gets frustrated when others aren’t around
Social
Interactions With Social Groups and People
Cooperates with other children
Negotiate solutions to conflicts
Imaginary Friends
Can brag or be bossy
Enjoys company of others, including children
Can play organized games
Enjoys “helping”
Learns to take turns
Talkative
- Starts to follow rules
Trust vs. Mistrust
Unfamiliar images may be “monsters”
Intellectual/Cognitive
How They Learn
Ask lots of questions- “how?” and “why?”
Want to do and try different things
Let them go indoors and outdoors with active and quiet activities
What They Learn
Understands ”same” and “different”
Different Colors
Counting
Follows commands
Language/Expression
Mastered some basic grammar rules
Speaks in five to six word sentences
Tells stories
Pronunciation is clear enough for strangers to understand.
By four, very talkative
- Language includes silly words
Sense Organs
Begin differentiating smells
Understand volume of noises
Taste is also developing- children can differentiate the tastes
Pay attention to different textures
- Development can be furthered as they experience different things. Make sure to point them out. “This is a fuzzy carpet. Can you feel how fuzzy it is?” and even “What is something salty you taste?”
Perceptual Concepts
Single point of view
Fantasy- creates it, role playing, and also has hard time distinguishing between fantasy and reality
Basic concepts like number, size, weight, color, texture, distance, time and position
Bibliography
Pictures
http://www.nurturingparentsandteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/preschool1.jpg
http://www.takepart.com/sites/default/files/styles/tp_content_wide/public/preschool%20counting.jpg
http://www.preschools4all.com/image-files/brain.jpg
http://glamomamas.com/files/2011/04/Preschool1.jpg
http://scienceforpreschoolers.com/wp-content/themes/revolution-20/revolution-20/images/hp-main.jpg
http://www5.samsclub.com/BabyCenter/Media/images/ArticlePOV/TipsForFeedingPreschoolers.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee59/whitepinelane/Squidoo/preschoolers.jpg
http://l.yimg.com/ea/img/-/110725/first_aid_for_preschoolers_172pvl9-172pvlc.jpg
http://www.kickstartkids.com.au/images/about-my-child/preschoolers.jpg
http://www.faqs.org/photos/preschoolers-and-toddlers-diet-of-2098.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dTddCdJi36Y/UFhxvQnWzgI/AAAAAAAAEns/45WTKxg1X2w/s1600/Tracing+letter+J.jpg