Preschool Development Chapter 16 Physical Development Preschoolers are

Preschool Development Chapter 16

Physical Development �Preschoolers are ages 3 -5. �Because their growth has slowed so has their appetite. �Body fat is reduced and most growth occurs in the muscles and bones. �MOTOR DEVELOPMENT �By age five, preschoolers can run fast and walk on a balance beam. �At three, children move and sway to music.

Physical Development � 3 year olds can ride tricycles � 5 year olds can ride bicycles � 3 year olds can throw a ball � 5 year olds can catch a ball �Climbing is a favorite activity of preschoolers. �PERCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT �More skilled at hand-eye coordination and small motor skills

Physical Development � 3 year olds can use crayons and paintbrushes � 5 year olds can draw and paint letters and numbers �Cooking activities can help with perceptual motor skills as well.

Intellectual Development �Attention span lengthens �Curiosity leads them to observe, analyze, problem solve and note cause and effect. �Make more complex decisions and improve their game-playing skills �Characteristics of Piaget’s Preoperational Period are more evident. �CLASSIFICATION: grouping objects into categories with similar characteristics. �CENTRATION: Focus on 1 characteristic at a time.

Intellectual Development �SERIATION: organize objects in order by increasing or decreasing order. �NUMBERS, COUNTING & TIME �Rote Counting: reciting in order but with no understanding �Rational Counting: understanding the meaning of number items counted. �One-to-one Correspondence: when counting objects, counting only 1 at a time

Intellectual Development �CONSERVATION: physical weight and properties remain the same even if appearance changes �LANGUAGE � 3 year olds: 300 words � 4 year olds: 1500 words � 5 year olds: 2200 words

Intellectual Development �GRAMMAR and PRONUNCIATION �Learn grammar rules �Learn exceptions to these rules � 3 year olds learn that you add s to make a plural �Incorrect Plurals: foots, gooses �Focus on content rather than grammar or mechanics �STUTTERING �Leaving a long pause, or repeating words or sounds is not true stuttering.

Intellectual Development �Stuttering is the natural result when the thinking ability exceeds the speaking ability.

Emotional Development �New Emotions: Loneliness, Disappointment, Curiosity, Anticipation, and Sympathy �Can express feelings with words instead of physical outbursts. �May still have fears but many will pass with time and experience. �Will regret actions that hurt others. �Emotional development paves the way for making friends and developing social skills.

Emotional Development �SELF ESTEEM �Often ask for attention when performing a task. �Increases with developing self-help skills. �Accomplishing things on their own creates independence and self-worth and gives a sense of motivation to succeed again. �GENDER IDENTITY AND ROLES � 3 year olds begin to notice the difference between boys and girls.

Emotional Development �Learn these roles from role models/adults. �Be careful to show the full potential of both genders in the work and home setting. �BUILDING RESILIENCE Consistent and reliable routines help preschoolers feel relaxed, secure, and better able to cope with changes or challenges their family faces.

Social Development �By age 3, peer increase in importance. � 3 year olds play in groups of 2 to 3 � 5 year olds play in groups of 5 to 8 �They like to please their peers �COOPERATIVE PLAY: playing together with other children and agreeing on activities. �By 4, children can form relationships with 1 or 3 other children and will call them “best friends” �After 6, friendships become more stable

Social Development �Conflict will usually occur over toys �Parents should only send toys to school that the child is willing to share. � 4 to 5 year olds engage in name calling. �When dealing with conflict teachers should help a child recognize and accept their feelings and that name calling hurt others. �SOCIOCULTURAL THEORY: Vygotsky’s theory on intellectual and social development. “Children learn their cultural beliefs, customs, and skills through social interactions with skilled peers and adults. ”