Preschoolers

 

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“It is paradoxical that many educators and parents still differentiate between a time for learning and a time for play without seeing the vital connection between them.”

Leo F. Buscaglia

Preschoolers (children aged 2.5-5) are to say the least, curious, energetic and zealous!  They are perfecting their physical abilities, learning and memorizing numbers and letters, emulating their parents and teachers and lets not forget, testing your limits when it comes to behavior.  Preschoolers are so fun!!  The excitement that a child this age shows for life cannot be replicated.

Preschoolers learn by:

• Copying
• Following Examples
• Following Simple directions
• Playing Make believe
• Moving

This is also a crucial time for guidelines when it comes to safe play, because our preschoolers love to have fun they may be taking risks and doing activities that the big kids are doing (that they are unaware could cause them harm.)  Their balance and coordination by this age is very good!  They can walk on walls, jump from the playground equipment, climb very high and play on the swings, but they should be closely supervised at all times due to the lack of judgement that a 3-5 year old posesses. 

Some safety guidelines:

• Set boundaries and rules when you arrive at a new playground.  Repeat them and have the child repeat them back to you.  ie, you can go on that yellow slide and on that ladder, but you may not go on the jungle gym or the fireman’s pole without my help.
• Have the “stranger” talk.  A child needs to know about this as young as possible. 
• Be sure that your child knows his/her last name as well as his parents names (and last names if they differ from his).  We’re working on memorizing the phone number, but my son does know what neighborhood he lives in!
• No going near a pool by him/herself.  Not even to feel the water.
• No rough play with other kids.  (this is tough once they learn about superheros!)  Some people say, “boys will be boys” or “let them work it out”, but not when it comes to physical play.  Parents need to intervene, seperate the children and redirect!

It is very important for your child to be active.  Sometimes kids tend to “melt down” or others revert inward, when they are bored.  Give them some structure and play a simple game with them.  If they’re itching for activity and you’re stuck inside try playing simon says using these activities; your child will LOVE to show you how he/she can do all of them better than you!

Activities your child can do to get out some energy:

• Catching
• Galloping
• Skipping
• Tumbling
• Kicking
• Dancing
• Climbing
• Rolling
• Throwing
• Hopping
• Crawling
• Tossing

Play is important for your child.  It is their job!  They take it seriously!!  Have you ever really watched a little boy playing with a train set?  His brain is ferociously working to organize, arrange and plan ahead his next move.  Its a very beautiful and amazing thing to witness as a child learns through play. 

• Play with your child.  He/She will enjoy spending time with you!  Find common activities that you both enjoy.  (my son and I love puzzles, play dough, crafts and games, I spy with my little eye)
• Be a role model for your child.  He will watch you and want to be like  you.
• Encourage your child to get outside and play everyday!!  Fresh air is so good for the whole family.  (we struggle with this one, its hard to get my son moving sometimes, but once we’re out it is great!)
• Children need structured activity as well as free play. (get out some blocks and show them how you build a tower.  they’ll be replicating yours immediately!)
• Playdates!  These are great and can be VERY challenging, but they are the stepping stones to social skills.

Closeness:  Your preschooler will be bursting with independence, yet he still requires closeness and physical contact with his parents.

• Be sure to hug your preschooler.  Running free in this newfound independence is wonderful and scary for your child.  A reassuring hug, squeeze and snuggle is just what your little one needs to feel safe and secure in his ever changing daily life.
• Our family choses to share sleep with our kids.  We feel that it keeps us connected even when we may be  very busy during the day.  See Attachment Parenting for more ideas about closeness with your child.

Talk to your child and don’t forget to listen:

• My son and I love to talk about his day at school.  He tells me all the things that stick out in his mind from the morning.  Then he wants me to ask him questions about his friends and what they ate for lunch, what they played, etc.
• Tell your child how much they mean to you.  It is so important to hear those three magic words, “I love you.”  This makes them feel like the shining special star that they are in your eyes and will give them confidence and trust in your relationship.  This will be valuable at an age when children tend to keep things from their parents out of fear of punishment or rejection.

Cherish your children:

• Your kids will not be kids for very long.  Each phase will fly by when you look at it retrospectively. 
• Look at your kids, hug them, love them and make memories that will forever live on!
• Let them know when they’ve done something you’re really proud of.  My son beams in delight when I tell him what a good big brother he is or what a great helper he is to me and daddy.
• Take lots of pictures and don’t forget to get in some, too.  You will want to look back and see the times you had together.  Even if you’re not in your best outfit and your hair isn’t fixed, jump in the pictures every so often so that you can look back at those memories together and remember exactly how much being a parent ment to you!

 

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