| 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'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. 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. 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. |
 |
| "When I approach a child, he inspires in me two senti-
ments: tenderness for what he is, and respect for what he may become." - Louis Pasteur |
 |
| Child Development |