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Step 1
Preschoolers are living and learning. They are growing and discovering many new things around them. These are the days of why or how come. The never ending questions, which must be answered by the caregivers.
Preschoolers go through many different milestones. Potty training is one of the first mile stones and can happen as early as 2 years old. Some preschoolers are slow about potty training. This is nothing to worry about unless they are starting kindergarten. Then they may need to see their pediatrician.
During this age preschoolers become more aware of their own sexuality. This is mostly because of the potty training. Since they follow caregivers into the bathroom and they notice the differences. Preschoolers will play with themselves. This is completely normal. You as the caregiver must let them know its ok, but they must do it when they are alone.
Around 3 years old children will start helping you more while getting ready. Preschoolers still need help buttoning their clothes though they should start trying, so they can build the use of their fingers up. When preschoolers are buttoning their shirts they will start also start zipping their own pants. This also comes with time as well so be patient with your preschooler.
You can help your children build the skill of cutting by having them use the big scissors that come with play dough kits. Let them role out the play dough and cut it into pieces. Then when they have done this until they are so bored with it then let them cut real paper. The caregiver needs to be around for this activity because we don’t want a preschooler to give themselves a hair cut. I know my son took scissors into his room and we did not know it and he cut his clothes. So caregivers need to be around for scissors.
Also during this time preschoolers will show which hand they are going to be more dominate with. My youngest son shows that he is left handed. According to Parent.com about 10% of children are left handed. -
Step 2
By age four preschoolers should be able to brush their teeth with supervision. It is important that they use non-fluoride tooth paste because they are still swallowing the toothpaste at this stage. When preschoolers stop swallowing toothpaste then you can switch to a pea size amount of fluoride tooth paste. You can also floss your preschooler’s teeth when the back molars start to touch each other. It is important to teach good brushing habits while your child is young and it will carry on through out the rest of their lives.
Now we can talk about cognitive development. According to Person Education Inc. Chapter 11 says “They can now think about objects or people that are not present, and can reflect upon things they cannot see, hear, touch, or act upon. They can imagine objects or people and represent them in make-believe, and can contemplate future events and recall past ones.” (http://wps.prenhall.com). I know from observations that preschoolers at this age normally have imaginer friends. Now my son reflects on the time when he lived with his grandparents and recalls memories from that time. Even though he likes to fill in the blanks he has by telling fibs. He also knows that Christmas is coming up in the future. When I was doing observations many of my students where at the age of 5 and they would talk about what was going to happen in the future, also they would tell me what they had done between the times that I was not present in the class. It is just amazing to watch preschoolers learn. Preschoolers will still use their senses to solve problems. You can notice this when a preschooler is playing with blocks or legos, and they must decide which piece to use next or where it will fit best. -
Step 3
Speech and Language Development increase in the preschool years. According to Carloine Bowen the author of Speech and Language Development in Infants and Young Children says “Anticipate hearing 4 to 5 word sentences by 4 years. Grammar should be correct most of the time by 4 years."Other people" will understand almost everything your child says by the time he or she is 4!” (Bowen, 1998). Preschoolers will start to talk your ear off. They will ask all kinds of questions. At this age you will be able to sit down with your preschooler and just talk. Your preschooler will be learning different words, when you just talk with them about their days. I know in my house we have the word of the week. My son learns the word and what it means. Like the last word we worked on was interrupt. This came about because he would talk when other people where talking and would get mad when we did not hear him. So we talked with him about what he was doing. This is where we normally get are words from. Preschoolers are proud when they know a big work and they will tell everyone they know. Take pride in your preschooler’s vocabulary. Children will repeat what they hear so watch what you say and be a good example.
Now preschoolers must also grow. This is where physical development takes place. According to Sean Brotherson author of Understanding Physical Development in Young Children “Motor Development often has been defined as the process by which a child acquires movement patterns and skills.” (Brotherson, 2006). Preschoolers grow from their head down to there toe’s. At this age preschoolers will be able to run faster. They will not fall as easy when they are running. Preschoolers will start to use their fingers better. They will be able to start writing. It will look like scribble on a page. Preschoolers like the proud feeling they have when they complete a task they thought they where unable to do. At this age they will take a growing spurt and it will last for a few weeks then they will take a break from growing.
Social-emotional development is next. According to Social and Emotional Screening for Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers edited by Kelly Stainback-Tracy says “Toddlers and preschoolers begin to be more comfortable separating from their parents. They develop social relationships with their peers and are able to express emotions of happiness, sadness, anger, frustration and empathy. Emde 1999.” (Stainback-Tracy.) We all have seen an anger preschooler, they do no
