All the DAZE Productions: Child Development

Child Development

Children develop intellectually, physically and socially, step by step, in a progressive manner. Skills are
learned gradually as a child moves through the stages of development. In order to provide an age
appropriate program with activities that enhance the numerous stages of growth and development in
children, the adult should have a good understanding of where the child is coming from, where the child
is at currently, and where he or she is heading in the near future, developmentally.

The following information will provide a basic overview of patterns of development in the growing child.

The 4 Year Old Child
"Energetic" and "imaginative" best describe the 4-year-old. Often impatient and silly, they discover
humor and spend a great deal of time being silly and telling you "joke."

A 4 year old child's language may range from silly words such as "batty-watty" to profanity. Loud,
boisterous laughter may accompany such language. Imagination suddenly becomes greater than life for
the 4-year-old, who often confuses reality and "make-believe." Wild stories and exaggerations are
common. Four year olds feel good about the things they can do, show self-confidence, and are willing to
try new adventures. They race up and down stairs or around corners, dash on tricycles or scooters, and
pull wagons at full tilt. You still need to watch them closely as they cannot estimate their own abilities
accurately and are capable of trying some outlandish and dangerous tricks.

Patterns of Development
Are very interested in their world. They talk a lot and ask many “why” questions about difficult subjects.

Four year olds tend to be very persistent in their explorations and learning.

Are fascinated with bowel movements and use bathroom language and humor, like “poo poo head”.

May swear and cuss, but need to learn what the words mean and why not to use them.

Begin to have favorite playmates and sometimes exclude certain children from their play group.

more independent of adults than 3 year olds

very active; use large muscles to skip, jump, race, throw a ball, climb, gallop, roll, crawl, march, walk
backwards, skating, swimming balance on one foot, bending & dance

Like to demonstrate new skills mastered, and seeks out adult approval

feel that they are bigger now

Ask questions

Try new things

sometimes are physically aggressive and assertive

Need a lot of opportunity for exploring, investigating and talking

More interested in people their own age

Play more in groups

Can follow 3-step directions

They are not very good at pacing themselves, and will get tired and cranky if not offered enough quiet
activities.

understands and obeys simple rules (most of the time)

changes the rules of a games as she goes along likes to talk and carries on elaborate conversations

capable of feeling jealous

boastful - enjoys showing off and bragging about possessions

fearful of the dark and monsters

Cognitive Development
Are developing powers of abstracting, generalizing, and reasoning
Can follow 3-step directions
Can place objects in a line from largest to smallest
Can recognize some letters if taught, and may be able to print own name
Recognizes familiar words in books
Understands the concepts of tallest, biggest, same, more, on, in, under, and above
Counts 1-7 objects out loud - but not always in the right order
Understands the order of daily routines
Asks a lot of questions, including ones on birth and death
Enjoys singing simple songs, rhymes, and nonsense words
Learns address, and phone number, if taught
Names 6-8 colors and 3 shapes
Basic understanding of concepts related to number, size, weight, colors, textures, distance, position and
time
Has long attention span and finishes activities

Language Development
Children in this age range enjoy stories and can answer simple questions about them. He or she hears
and understands nearly everything that is said to them at home or at pre-school. Your child's ability to
hear properly all the time should not be in doubt. If you are in doubt about your child's hearing, see a
clinical audiologist. If you are in doubt about language comprehension, see a speech-language
pathologist.

Sentences are becoming longer as your child can combine four or more words. They talk about things
that have happened away from home, and are interested in talking about pre-school, friends, outings
and interesting experiences. Speech is usually fluent and clear and "other people" can understand what
your child is saying most of the time. Your child speaks clearly and fluently in an easy-to-listen-to voice.
He or she can construct long and detailed sentences. He or she can tell a long and involved story
sticking to the topic, and using "adult-like" grammar. Most sounds are pronounced correctly, though he
or she may lisp as a four year old, or, at five, still have difficulty with "r", "v" and "th". Your child can
communicate easily with familiar adults and with other children. They may tell fantastic "tall stories" and
engage strangers in conversation when you are out together.

Plays with words and sounds
May talk using some 'baby talk'
Ask questions beginning with 'what', 'who', 'where' and 'why'
May know more than 1,200 words
They can talk about yesterday and tomorrow

Physical Development
Weight: 27-50 pounds
Height: 37-46 inches
Needs 10-12 hours sleep each night. Like to demonstrate new skills mastered. Feel that they are
bigger now. They are not very good at pacing themselves, and will get tired and cranky if not offered
enough quiet activities.

Small Muscle Development: Dresses self without much assistance (unzip, unsnap, unbutton clothes,
lace but not tie shoes). By four years, a child can hold a pencil correctly. Draw a picture of a human
figure with six parts. Add features such as hair, eyes, ears hands, and feet by 4.5 years of age. Can
copy, following capital letters and forms. Small muscles have developed enough to use a paper punch
and scissors. Now able to use a spoon, fork, and dinner knife to eat. Can feed self, brush teeth, comb
hair, wash, and dress, hang up clothes. Stacks and balance 10 or more blocks. Forms shapes and
objects out of clay or play dough. Independently thread small beads on a string.

Large Muscle Development: Use of large muscles to skip, jump, race, throw a ball, climb, gallop.
Catches, bounces, and throws a ball easily. Likes to jump over objects, run, gallop, bike, skip, turn
somersaults, climb ladders and trees, hop on one foot and moves around obstacles with ease

Social and Emotional Development
Appear interested in and responsive to his environment. Need a lot of opportunity for exploring,
investigating and talking
Much more independent of adults than 3 year olds
Enjoy companionship of friend
More interested in people their own age
Play more in groups. Boys tend to prefer the same sex in play situations although both sexes seem to
play with children of the opposite sex
Will reenact the roles of familiar adults in their daily environment. Imitates parent of the same sex,
particularly in play
Are more cooperative
Beginning to use words to sort out differences instead of hitting
Fairly confident
Beginning to develop some fears and anxieties need sensitivity, security from adults in dealing with
these new concerns. Begins to understand danger - at times can become quite fearful. Also, has
difficulty separating make-believe from reality.
Sometimes are physically aggressive and assertive
Enthusiastic (at times in a hurry)
Takes turns and shares (most of the time); may still be rather bossy
Seeks out adult approval
Understands and obeys simple rules (most of the time)
Changes the rules of a game as she goes along likes to talk and carries on elaborate conversations
Capable of feeling jealous
Boastful - enjoys showing off and bragging about possessions
Lies sometimes to protect self and friends, but doesn't truly
Understand the concept of lying - imagination often gets in the way
May name call, tattle freely
Likes to shock others by using "forbidden" words
Expresses anger verbally rather than physically (most of the time)
Still throws tantrums over minor frustrations
Enjoys pretending, often with imaginary playmates
Pretending goes far beyond "playing house" to more elaborate settings like fire station, school, shoe
store, ice cream shop
Loves to tell jokes that may not make any sense at all to adults
Can feel intense anger and frustration
Has vivid imagination and sometimes imaginary playmates

Stages of Awareness Regarding Differences
Noticing differences among people
Can identify and match people according to physical characteristics
Ask "why" questions
Susceptible to believe stereotypes
Mask fear of differences with avoidance, silliness

Suggested Activities
Allow plenty of physical activities.

Provide simple games with rules so your child can learn the basis of cooperative play.

Provide music, songs, picture and storybooks, and plenty of opportunities for drawing and painting.

Give them lots of love, fun, approval and encouragement.

Provide simple games with rules so your child can learn the basis of cooperative play.

Provide teddy bears or other props to give young children a sense of security.

Use props to encourage curiosity and “hands-on” participation. Examples could include pylons,
markers, beanbags, hula hoops, streamers, grass skirts, musical instruments, bubbles or songs with
actions. Try: “The Hokey Pokey”, “Ants Go Marching In”, “I’m a Little Tea Pot”, “Ring Around the Rosy”,
“The Twist”, or “The Chicken Dance”.

Goals
Stop violent behaviour
Super Hero play should have non-violent rules
Emphasize appropriate play
Do not react angrily
Rules about swearing must be in place
Teaching Responsibility: Chores can include Pick up Toys, Fold Dishtowels and Washcloths, Match
Socks, Put small items in the garbage, Give food to pets, and Water indoor plants.