Typical characteristics of the four year old FEARLESS FOURS Typical characteristics of the four year old All four year olds are not alike. But there are certain things that almost all four year olds do. Some may do them sooner, some may do them later

THIS PROGRAM IS PRESENTED TO YOU BY: Annette Jewell, Nutrition/Wellness Agent Lancaster County and Alinda T. Uzel, Family & Human Development Agent King William/King & Queen Counties

Parenting is not an easy job No prior experience necessary On-the-job training A job you work your way OUT of When finally secure in the job, you are out of business!

The typical four year old: Likes to talk and asks lots of questions Likes to try out silly words and sounds Uses sentences of about 4-5 words Able to cooperate and play in groups Likes books and stories with more complicated plots May indulge in name calling and bragging Wants more independence than they can handle Can count 4 or more objects Knows colors and can name them Beginning to reason Get parent involvement here as you go from point to point.

Child growth and development can be divided into three main areas: Physical Intellectual Social-Emotional

Physical: Rapid rate of growth - weight gain of 3-5 pounds per year Walking and running more coordinated Uneven development of motor skills - may lose interest in one skill while acquiring another Frequent falls but few broken bones because bones are not calcified High rates of physical activity - requires lots of sleep/rest Susceptible to infectious diseases Established eating, sleeping, elimination habits Locomotor and manipulative play are enjoyed

Intellectual: Develops language Enjoys drawing to represent experiences Not yet capable of sustained, systematic thought Increased physical movement motivates child to explore his environment which expands learning skills Elaborate on each point With the drawing section, emphasize that the finished product is not the important thing – it is the process With the thought section, emphasize that this is NOT the age of reason – they have not developed this yet – and won’t for several more years. Also, instructions should be given in small steps – not 3-4 at a time and expect the child to remember them. They will remember the last one but maybe nothing else.

Social-Emotional: Self Centered Sense of Property (Mine) Enjoys cooperative play May have difficulty making friends because of inability to communicate verbally Uses laughter as form of communication Needs security in family Dependent upon others Plays at being adult Develops mind picture of self and others Identifies strongly with parents--especially own sex parent After going through the various points, you may want to say something like: And, as a parent of this age child, sometimes you may think they are (click) “Stubborn as a MULE!!!”

Helping your child develop through food activities Letting children help in food preparation: Encourages parent/child interaction Allows child to develop skills for the future to cope figure things out make decisions Gives greater chance of child trying a new food

BUTTERFLY BITES FUN FOOD ACTIVITY

BUTTERFLY BITES Gather the ingredients 3 stalks celery 12 large twist pretzels pretzel pieces 6 tablespoons peanut butter raisins Have these ingredients so the parents can “construct” their butterflies. If someone says, my child won’t eat celery – you may say something like “It doesn’t matter.” (What could they use instead – maybe cream cheese or something else) Explain about how this is a fun activity, by not focusing on the actual materials, focus on the “doing it together” – ask if their child likes peanut butter – or pretzels – or raisins. After they construct the butterfly, they can eat whichever pieces they like – or MAYBE they will try the whole thing. This is a good way to get kids to possibly try something new. Also, a child usually has to be introduced to new food items multiple times before they will actually try it. The trick is to introduce it without making it a big deal.

STEPS FOR CREATING YOUR BUTTERFLY Wash 3 stalks celery, cut in half crosswise. Fill each celery piece with 1 tablespoon peanut butter. Add 2 pretzel wings. Use pieces of pretzels for the antenna and raisins for decorations Eat your butterfly before it flies away!!! Let them use a plastic knife – tell them they can show the child the safe way to cut the celery – then stand back and allow them to do it independently. This can be messy – but so what – it is the process, the bonding, the fun and creativity that counts.

HAPPY PARENTING!!! Thanks to everyone who attended and participated – now, eat your butterflies so I don’t have to catch them!