1. Growth and Development Unit Nine Growth and Development of Pre- school children

2. General development between ages 2 and 5 years: Children between the ages of 2 and 5 change dramatically in five major areas: – Emotional and social skills. – Physical growth. – Thinking and reasoning skills (called cognitive development). – Language development. – Sensory and motor development.

3. Children usually progress in a natural, predictable sequence from one developmental milestone to the next. But the exact timing varies from child to child. Also, many children tend to make progress in one area, such as learning new words, while another skill, such as counting, levels off. General development between ages 2 and 5 years:

4. Emotional and social development: Begins with excitement about being around other children at age 2. But most children at this age play near each other rather than with each other (this is called parallel play). By age 5, most children seek and enjoy friendships. Often they identify a playmate as their "best friend," although their choice may change frequently. Two-year-olds start to recognize the differences between boys and girls. By age 5, children understand many of these differences and often like to dress or play in ways they identify with their gender.

5. Physical development: Slows down from the rapid growth during infancy. From age 2 through age 5, most children annually gain about 1.4 kg to 2.3 kg and grow about 3 in. (7.6 cm).

6. Cognitive development (thinking and reasoning skills): Progresses from a simple to more complex understanding of time, letters, counting, and colors. Children are able to follow increasingly more detailed commands. Play gradually becomes more inventive and richly imaginative

7. Language: Develops rapidly between ages 2 and 5. By age 2, children usually can say at least 50 words. They can recognize the names of many objects and some body parts (such as arms and legs). By age 3, children are learning new words quickly. Most can speak between 150 and 200 words and can follow two-part directions, such as "Wash your face and put your shoes away."

8. They also start to use plurals and short complete sentences that most of the time are understood by others outside of their family. Four-year-olds use longer sentences and can describe an event. Most 5-year-olds can carry on a conversation. Language:

9. Sensory and motor skills: Become more refined, from being able to walk up stairs, kick a ball, and draw simple strokes to basic tumbling and drawing rough figures of people and other recognizable objects. Children also gradually learn to dress themselves and handle their toilet needs independently.

10. Milestones by age: By 2 years of age: – Grows at a steady pace, although it has slowed from the phase of rapid growth during the first 18 months of life. – Alternates between feeling excited, confused, and scared about his or her emerging independence. – Temper tantrums may start occurring regularly. – Says at least 50 words and uses 2-word sentences. – Runs and can go up and down stairs.

11. By 3 years of age: – Looks leaner and longer compared to the early toddler years. – Most children have gained about 2 kg and grown about 3 in. (8 cm) since their second birthday. – Plays pretend, understands 3-step instructions, enjoys simple puzzles, and knows his or her name, age, and sex. – Enjoys playmates, although "sharing" is often still a challenge. Milestones by age:

12. By 3 years of age: – Separates from parents easily. – Is interested in or has completed toilet training. – Uses 4- to 5-word sentences, including some pronouns and plurals. – Jumps, runs, climbs, pedals a tricycle, and kicks a ball. He or she will likely be able to screw and unscrew lids, draw simple strokes, use silverware, build a tower with at least 6 blocks, and turn pages one at a time. Milestones by age:

13. By 4 years of age: – Has gained about 2 kg and grown about 3 in. (8 cm) since turning 3. – Can say his or her name, identify some basic colors, and match things that are the same (such as a pair of socks). – Can tell the difference between fantasy and reality. But a 4-year-old's active imagination can create all kinds of scary and threatening scenarios. Milestones by age:

14. By 4 years of age: – Has mastered most grammar skills. He or she speaks in sentences with at least 5 or 6 words, tells stories, and sings songs. – Hops on one foot, rides a tricycle (or a small bike with training wheels), throws a ball overhand, and goes up and down stairs without holding onto anything. – He or she can use safety scissors, draw circles and squares, and write some capital letters. Milestones by age:

15. By 5 years of age: – Has gained about 2 kg and grown about 3 in. (8 cm) since turning 4. – Knows his or her address and phone number, most letters of the alphabet, how to count up to 10, and basic concepts of time. – Acts independently much of the time and understands rules. – Likes to please others and have friends. But it is normal for children this age to sometimes act unkindly. Five-year-olds are still learning about understanding and being sensitive to other people's feelings. Milestones by age:

16. By 5 years of age: – Carries on conversations and uses more advanced grammar, such as the future tense. – Hops on one foot, somersaults, and possibly skips. – Most 5-year-olds can dress and undress themselves; draw a person with a head, body, arms, and legs; and write some small and capital letters from the alphabet. Milestones by age:

17. Promoting Healthy Growth and Development: The most important way to enhance the preschool child's development by parents is showing love and affection. Parent guide their children through the challenges of this important time of life by talking and reading to them, providing opportunities for play, playing pretend with them, showing them how to get dressed or use the toilet, and setting boundaries and limits to their behavior.

18. Promote physical development: – Encourage exercises. – Develop healthy eating habits. Promoting Healthy Growth and Development:

19. Promote cognitive development by: – Encouraging safe exploration: Exploration helps children to discover cause-and-effect relationships. Children who explore learn to master new skills and solve problems. – Encouraging a sense of security: Child is more likely to feel safe and secure if the significant people in their lives are dependable, consistent, respectful, and responsive. This sense of trust lays the foundation for learning, social skills, adaptability, and emotional development. Promoting Healthy Growth and Development:

20. Promote emotional and social development by: – Providing peer contact: Playing with other children even 1 day a week gives children opportunities to practice and develop important social, emotional, and language skills. Children learn to share, cooperate, and negotiate as they interact with their peers. – Promoting self-control: Children need guidance, clear limits. Promoting Healthy Growth and Development:

21. Helping your child build self-esteem: – The foundation of self-esteem is established in childhood. – Parents have the greatest influence on a child's belief about himself or herself. Letting the child know that he or she belongs, is doing well, and is contributing can help him or her develop healthy self-esteem. Promoting Healthy Growth and Development:

22. Promote language development by: – Reading for the Child: Reading is important for child at every age. Reading exposes the child to the sounds and rhythm of language. It also helps stimulate the imagination and introduces children to things and places they may not have a chance to learn about otherwise, such as oceans or dinosaurs. – Providing opportunities to talk with others. Children develop language skills by being around other people. Listening and communicating with other children and adults helps a child to understand and use language. Promoting Healthy Growth and Development:

23. Promote sensory and motor development by: – Providing a wide variety of experiences and play environments: Schedule time each day for either indoor or outdoor physical activity, such as going to a playground. These types of activities improve coordination and other large muscle skills. Fine motor skills develop through art projects (such as painting or using scissors). Stimulate the child's senses by introducing new sights, smells, sounds, textures, and tastes. Promoting Healthy Growth and Development: