1. Preschoolers ETE – ECE 8:
Explore the growth, development, and care of the Preschooler.
8.1 Analyze the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development
of the preschool child.
8.2 Determine strategies that promote the health and safety of the
preschool child, including those with special needs.

2. What are they like?
Preschool thoughts become more and more adult like.
Preschool language skills improve quickly.
Children become more social with their peers at this age.
Preschoolers still seek favor and approval from adults.
Preschoolers become stronger and more coordinated.
The first five years of life are the most information any human ever learns

3. What are they like? Con’t
Preschoolers’ changing body proportions helps them improve their balance and motor skills.
Preschoolers have improved dressing, eating, and hygiene skills.
Preschoolers refine their gross and fine motor skills.
Weight gain can result from poor eating habits. Physical inactivity is a major cause of overweight children.

4. What are some general emotional patterns of 3-5 year olds?
A major task in this age span is to learn social skills
How to get along with peers and caregivers
Now 4-5 year olds can form friendships with their peers unlike toddlers
Common emotions – self-confidence, anger, fear, jealousy, love, independence (more so now!)
They will play together unlike toddlers
Aggressive behavior may continue when faced with frustration, it is time to learn that it is unacceptable.
Encourage talking about feelings
Acknowledge efforts to resolve conflicts
Model appropriate behavior in tough situations
Roleplay and discuss in class how to handle frustrations

5. How can caregivers relate to preschoolers in developmentally appropriate ways?
Teach children about nutrition
At home – use curiosity to encourage trying things, include in food prep, give limited choices
At school – ask questions about food, teach healthy/not, teach ingredients, watch for high sugar, fat, or salt
Encourage physical activity – set a pattern for life
Teach self-care skills – bathing, hand-washing, teeth brushing, dressing
Ensure adequate sleep – some no longer need a nap at 4
3 years
9 to 12 hours
1 to 3 hours (1 nap)
12 to 13 hours
4 years
0 to 2.5 hours (1 or no nap)
11 to 12 hours
5 years
8 to 11 hours
10 to 11 hours

6. How can caregivers relate to preschoolers in developmentally appropriate ways?(con’t)
Worry – children experience stress and tension like everyone
Comes from strangers, bullying, new places or schedules, family changes, etc.
Common reactions – claim sickness, regress in toileting care, crying, temper tantrums, biting nails, grinding teeth
Look for a cause
Give them time to calm down
Provide tension release – exercise, discussion
Read a book about issue causing stress
Maintain normal limits on behaviors

7. How can caregivers relate to preschoolers in developmentally appropriate ways?(con’t)
Teach teamwork and cooperation
Set clear limits and enforce them
Talk about mistakes in private
Understand children WILL test the limits, be prepared
Consider the child’s age and their abilities
Model good behavior

8. What are the “windows of opportunity” regarding brain development in preschoolers?
Window of Opportunity – time when a person can learn a certain thing easiest – never closed – just is harder later
Children between 4-6 are at ideal age for learning language – first and second languages.

9. How do Preschoolers Learn?
Still learn a lot through play
Experiences – especially those shared with adults – talking through processes, answering questions
Preschoolers begin learning to read by learning phonics – recognizing letters and their sounds
Phonemes – the smallest individual sounds in words like “ou” in house and “t” in hat
Alliteration – the repetition of certain sounds – listing 5 words that start with each letter – “C” is for cat, cup, cap, coat, and cold

10. How do you know a child is ready for school?
1. can communicate with adults and be understood
2. manage personal needs – put on coat and shoes, use restroom without assistance
3. complete a task – cleaning up after drawing or playing
4. listen attentively – listen long enough for a story and then answer questions
5. follow directions and take turns
6. be patient – willing to wait for a request to be met or question answered

11. What traits should preschool caregivers have?
Many career opportunities exist in early childhood. The majority are in the teaching field.
Your responsibilities as a teacher are complex and demanding.
You will need to be a friend, a colleague, counselor, janitor, nurse, decorator, safety expert, and even a cook on some days.
Some things are unpleasant like changing diapers, cleaning up messes, and dealing with sick children.
CHALLENGING and REWARDING are the two best terms to describe a caregiver for children.

12. Teacher Responsibilities
To know how children grow and develop
To plan developmentally appropriate curriculum
To prepare the environment
To communicate effectively
To demonstrate teamwork
To manage time wisely
To participate in professional organizations
To follow ethical standards
To continue to learn

13. Characteristics of Successful teachers
Fondness for children
PATIENCE
Compassion
Confidence
Sense of humor
Commitment
Personal desire
Physical and mental health

14. What is Preschool for?
A rich learning environment that teaches reading, math, and social skills
High quality care for young children
Gets children used to schedule
Teaches school behaviors
Encourages socialization
Teaches life skills like patience, manners, independence, kindness, etc.
Safe place for children

15. Review: 1. What is a preschooler like?
2. What are some common emotions they experience?
3. What is a Window of Opportunity?
4. When do you learn the most (age?)
5. What happens in preschool?
6. What should a caregiver be like and what are they responsible for?