2 to 3 years
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This is the stage where your child must have the company of children of their own age. This can be in a social environment or at a toddler group and some may even go to playgroup or Nursery. This is a personal decision for the parents. Swimming, music groups and Gym allow the children to mix, experiment with sharing, watching and discovering each other!
They may be able to jump off a step, ride a tricycle, use crayons, build a 9-10 cube tower or they may watch and try! They listen to adults and to other children and eventually they will start to use short sentences and explore the world of language.
They will learn to share control any violent emotions of anger or of fear listening will develop A sense of humour, watching and participating! All children copy the speech, actions and expression of each other but also of adults!
Unfortunately your baby does need to learn to be more independent, be less clingy, not possessive about toys, and especially to enjoy playing alongside other children. All children will try to resist parental demands and it is important that they learn be polite. This is easier if there is always an insistence on sameness of routine and always the expectancy that they will automatically say ‘Please’ ,’Thank you’ and ‘Good-Bye’. |
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3 to 4 years |
Children at this age are very active and respond better to routine. They are self-sufficient in many routines of home life. They can feed themselves, may take themselves to the toilet and can wash their hands etc. They may be able to stand on one leg, jump up and down, draw a circle and a cross. They enjoy painting, craft work sand and water play and some may be beginning to swim! They know and are affectionate toward their parents. They now can begin to have imaginary fears of darkness being injured or getting lost etc.
Hopefully they like to share, can play cooperatively with other children, either at nursery school or in the home environment Children love to imitate…. especially their parents. Some children develop an imaginary friend and many talk to themselves and are happy to play on their own at times or to sit quietly and read a book. Children do not need to be occupied all the time. They need time to themselves, as we do! They must be given space to think, digest ideas, to listen and especially just to play. They will need this to develop their own personality, to relax and to mature |
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4 to 5 years |
Most children by this age will be in school. They will have experienced leaving Mummy and being on their own. They will hopefully feel secure and happy and hence enjoy new friends, both adults and other children.
Many children by this stage will be able to skip, dress themselves, copy a square and a triangle. They will enjoy looking at a book and have the concentration to listen to a story or a television programme. Through these abilities and through contact with adults and other children they will have learnt to talk clearly, use adult speech sounds, and will have mastered basic grammar and even be able to relate a story.
They will be relatively responsible and feel a pride in any accomplishment…..such as singing a song, telling a story or painting a picture. They will also know right from wrong and know when they have been naughty. |
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Children are all individuals and they develop and mature in different ways and at different times. Not all children walk at the same age, cut teeth at the same time or even begin to speak at the same time. Enjoy playing with your baby and child and allow them time to mature. Every parent has different aspirations and desires for their child. Respect other people as parents and ensure that your child has as many experiences as possible to broaden their learning curve. Allow your child to listen and play music…join a local Music club. Find the time to take your son or daughter swimming so that any fear of water is abated and they learn to swim as soon as possible. Give your child the opportunity to play with other children the same age or older so that they learn to share to take turns and to have fun together.
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Playing is fun and the main source of learning for children from a few months old to the age of five. By playing they develop their concentration and their thought processes. They extend their vocabulary by listening, singing and by talking both to adults but also to each other.
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Incidental learning is where children absorb information without realising it. By learning Nursery Rhymes they learn to count…One two Buckle my shoe. By helping to lay the table they put out three spoons. When climbing stairs they can count each step. Fine and gross motor skills are also developed through everyday tasks like kicking a ball in the park, riding a bicycle, balancing on a swing or seesaw. Painting a picture improves hand and eye co-ordination and encourages the correct technique to learn to read across the page. Jigsaw puzzles and some computer games teach logical thought and start the process of relationships of one object to another.
It is fun playing with your children and watching them develop into little people and for them to enjoy learning. Children react to a happy, safe environment and to praise. They need help to make decisions and all too soon they are making those decisions without us.
Birth to three matters
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IF A CHILD....
If a child lives with criticism,
he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility,
he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule,
he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame,
he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance,
he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement,
he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise,
he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness,
he learns justice.
If a child lives with security,
he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval,
he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
He learns to find love in the world.
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