Photo credit: Jason Sung
Here are some common characteristics for preschoolers (or nursery schools), kids from 4 years old to 6 years old.
- Improved gross motor skills such as running, jumping, hopping, going up stairs by themselves. They have better eye-hand coordination skills for blocks building or using scissors
- Expanded vocabulary, can articulate thoughts and ideas more clearly. They show better understanding and better use of grammar rules.
- Socially speaking, they show kindness and consideration towards others. Able to follow the rules. Tantrums still occur when they experience a wider range of emotions, but they can express it better.
- They can play as a group, usually sticking around certain friends or groups.
- They want to do things on their own and are proud of their achievements.
- They can read letters and words. They show interests in books, reading, writing, drawing.
- Improved problem solving skills. They can understand basic math concepts (add/subtract). They can understand concepts such as time, quantity, size.
- Organize material mentally (match/sequence/classify)
- Expresses imagination, role-play , dramatic play etc
- Curious about natural worlds, animals, and how things work around them
- Able to focus up to 30 minutes at a time
What can we do to help children at 3, 4 or 5 years old grow well?
- Continue to show love, positive affirmations, singing, telling stories
- Sing to learn: use songs to teach kids manners, general knowledge
- Speed-play with flashcard on various topics to build vocabulary bank
- Continue with classical music, informational audiobooks
- Talk about feelings, talk about events during the day, encourage thoughtfulness in young hearts before bedtime or at dinner time
- Continue with eye exercise or brain gym activities
- Physical play: cross-overs, jumping, hopping, skipping etc
- Cognitive development games: matching play cards, objects, sorting, sequencing, patterning
- Practice more writing such as writing notes, love letter, drawing pictures etc
- Continue with practical life activities: transferring, using tongs, spoon, twizzle
- Read with them, make trip to library to foster the love for reading
- Memory games for preschoolers
- Use early readers, early workbooks
Anything you do, make sure it is fun, short, interactive and follow the child! Remember, relationships first.
