Encouraging preschool age children to attend school on a weekly basis will aid their development of social skills dramatically. Having other children under the age of five to play with helps them to develop at a more rapid pace. The extra movement and activity will stimulate their cognitive functions and they will imitate their peers. After the imitation stage a child develops initiative and that is nurtured in the preschool environment.
Sometimes it is wise to sit a child in front of a graphic LCD screen to see their favorite TV show. The mind of a child is undeveloped and thrives on input from outside itself. For them to experience the vivid colors this way, they will be using their memory later on to paint and use colorful pencils and crayons. Toys and attention stimulate the child’s appetite for learning through experience.
A stimulating activity that can be used to expand a child’s listening skills is the practice of music. Playing along to the dreadnought acoustic guitar with drums, tambourines, toy pianos and singing along with teacher, is a wonderful learning experience for the tiny tots. Anything that makes a sound can be used as a musical instrument for them to clash together or beat like a drum. To help them understand to respect instruments, adults need to demonstrate how to treat them. And remind the children with simple verbal instruction when they behave in a manner that is inappropriate.
An appropriate selection of songs can be prepared beforehand to make taking part easier. Children have a little patience, but in a rich learning environment they will not sit for long with nothing to do. Experiences can be planned well enough ahead to be sure the timing is set for an overlap of activities which will give children the knowledge that they have the right to choose for themselves what they want to be involved in. As they are all positive activities aimed at helping the child develop, no harm can be done whichever choice is made.
Games children enjoy during these years are simple activities that do not involve many rules. Learning to catch a ball or kick it takes practice and the child appreciates the patient adult who understands their stage of development. As they are ambidextrous until at least the kindergarten age, learning to take part in games and experiences should involve using both hands or legs separately. The child will make that decision for themselves when the time comes.
Cut and paste, the old fashioned way without a computer, is an old favorite that has a variety of benefits for the child. Developing fine motor skills, expressing a sense of self, individuality and creative expression all happen at the arts and crafts table. To keep a set of scrapbooking tools on hand is a clever way for adults to get children engaged in play. Pre-cut magazine pictures, glue, a pair of children’s scissors, scraps of material and practically anything from the home can be a source of intelligent child’s play.
The focus for adults assisting children in learning has changed over the years. To be shown respect and disciplined with verbal direction, to be loved and not smothered is to give the child opportunity to learn for themselves. Demonstrating how to behave and how to do things is what a child is looking for in a guardian. Care can be given without taking anything away from their chance to grow.