Preschool Basics Read Page in The Childcare Professional

Important Terms Curriculum: a long-range plan of activities and experiences for children Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum: when activities are geared to different levels of ability and development

Important Terms Also known as DAP DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE PRACTICE -Age appropriate -Individually appropriate -Social, Emotional, Intellectual, Physical and Moral development

If your child is between the ages of 3 and 6 and attends a child care center, preschool, or kindergarten program, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) suggests you look for these 10 signs to make sure your child is in a good classroom.

Children spend most of their time playing and working with materials or other children. They do not wander aimlessly, and they are not expected to sit quietly for long periods of time.

Teachers work with individual children, small groups, and the whole group at different times during the day. They do not spend all their time with the whole group.

Curriculum is adapted for those who are ahead as well as those who need additional help. Teachers recognize that children’s different background and experiences mean that they do not learn the same things at the same time in the same way.

Children have access to various activities throughout the day. Look for assorted building blocks and other construction materials, props for pretend play, picture books, paints and other art materials, and table toys such as matching games, pegboards, and puzzles. Children should not all be doing the same thing at the same time.

The classroom is decorated with children’s original artwork, their own writing with invented spelling, and stories dictated by children to teachers.

Teachers read books to children individually or in small groups throughout the day, not just at group story time.

Children learn numbers and the alphabet in the context of their everyday experiences. The natural world of plants and animals and meaningful activities like cooking, taking attendance, or serving snack provide the basis for learning activities.

Children work on projects and have long periods of time (at least one hour) to play and explore. Worksheets are used little if at all.

Children have an opportunity to play outside every day. Outdoor play is never sacrificed for more instructional time.

Children and their parents look forward to school. Parents feel secure about sending their child to the program. Children are happy to attend; they do not cry regularly or complain of feeling sick.

Understanding Preschoolers and Your Role om/watch?v=or10f- YcM8Q

Who is considered a preschooler? Children ages THREE, FOUR, AND FIVE are commonly referred to as preschoolers.

Where do preschoolers fit developmentally? Physical Development Intellectual Development Emotional Development Social Development Moral Development

Physical Development Physical growth during the preschool years is slow and gradual. They usually have small appetites. It is important to make sure what they eat is healthy. Their bodies appear less baby like. Body fat is reduced.

Physical Development Grow more active as they age. Skills become more refined and complex – Example: 3 year old tricycle vs. 5 year old bike More skilled in hand eye and fine motor skills. – Example: use crayons, write letters

Intellectual Development Mentally group objects into categories (but only one category at a time) By the age of five, a child can line up objects by size. Just beginning to understand numbers and counting. – Rote Counting: reciting numbers in order without understanding that each number represents a specific amount.

Intellectual Development Numbers Cont. – One to one correspondence: the understanding that, when counting numbers in a group, each item is counted once and only once. – Rational counting: the understanding that the last number counted in a group represents the entire number of objects. Do not understand time yet. May only understand the concept of “now” and “later.”

Intellectual Development Their understanding is limited to what is seen – Cannot grasp conservation The understanding that an object’s physical dimensions remain the same even when its appearance changes. Language – 3 year old = 300 words – 4 year old = 1500 words – 5 year old = 2200 words

Intellectual Development Language Cont. – Children develop language ability more quickly when provided with good examples. Talking and reading to children daily helps them expand their language use and comprehension. Grammar and Pronunciation comes gradually – Causally and kindly rephrase a child’s statement to provide the correct model

Emotional Development Preschoolers experience an increasing range of emotions. With increasing language skills preschoolers are able to identify feelings with words, rather than pushing or hitting. Start to develop empathy – The ability to recognize and understand the feelings of others.

Emotional Development Increase in self-esteem: Feelings of independence and self worth grow as they accomplish more skills – “Do it myself” – “Watch what I can do” – Very willing to be helpful

Social Development Peers come into the picture Cooperative Play: playing together and agreeing on play themes and activities Three year olds like to play in small groups of 2 or 3 Five year olds play in groups of 5 to 8 Through play, preschoolers develop social skills

Social Development Friendship Bribe other children into friendship A different “best friend” every day After age 6, friendship becomes more stable Conflict Often over toys Begin to use name calling Firmly tell children that name-calling will not be allowed because it hurts people’s feelings.

Moral Development Children age four and under have no real sense of right and wrong. They make decisions based on rewards or consequences. By age five, children begin developing a conscience and experience feelings of guilt. They eagerly tell an adult when they see someone break a rule.

What YOU need to work with preschoolers

Appreciation of Children Energy Sense of Humor Patience Compassion Flexibility Creativity Resourcefulness Sociability Commitment Divide up into groups of two or three. Rotate around the room stopping at each NEED for 2 minutes. Write down at least one reason why you would need that skill when working with children. Do not repeat what someone else has written.

What YOU need to work with preschoolers Appreciation for children – No one can work well with children without having an appreciation for them. – Participating in activities with them, not just watching – Warm relationships

What YOU need to work with preschoolers ENERGY – Children have a high energy level – You need to be able to keep up with them! – Stay one step ahead of children, or the classroom will get out of control.

What YOU need to work with preschoolers Sense of Humor – Laugh with children, not at them – While remaining professional, let loose and have fun when the occasion is right

What YOU need to work with preschoolers Patience – Children make mistakes – Slow at performing tasks because they haven’t perfected their skills yet. – Acceptable behavior has not been mastered – Still learning self control – Favorite question, “Why?”

What YOU need to work with preschoolers Compassion: recognizing when others are having problems and wants to be of help – Children need adults who try to understand and accommodate them. – Recognize their fears

What YOU need to work with preschoolers Flexibility – Children are unpredictable and have spontaneity – Things don’t always go the way you plan

What YOU need to work with preschoolers Creativity – Creating activities that are interesting and effective – Learn more from new experiences.

What YOU need to work with preschoolers Resourcefulness: – The ability to find the ways and means to do something – What resources do you need to accomplish your goal? How will you make it work? – Resourcefulness enables people to make things happen and get things done.

What YOU need to work with preschoolers Sociability – This is a social atmosphere – Working with parents, children, and peers – Use good communication skills – Try to relate to others

What YOU need to work with preschoolers Commitment – Dedicated to doing your BEST for the children you are working with – Don’t settle for doing the job halfway – PREPARED

Homework On a separate sheet of paper…. Answer the following questions in at least four complete sentences. This will be graded. 1.What do you think is your greatest strength is when working with children? Why? 2.What do you think your greatest weakness is when working with children? Why? 3.What are two things you can do to improve on your weakness?