How is my Preschooler Developing Physically?

Now that preschoolers have accomplished the skills of walking, running and jumping, they are ready for more physical feats.  Young children gain a great sense of confidence by being able to use their strength and power.

We help the children to gain more physical skills by:

• Supporting their healthy risk taking, such as climbing higher than before, rolling down hills, or carrying a pitcher of water.  Teachers stay close by to help them feel safe.
• Reminding children of safety rules and helping them to prevent disasters.  Teachers might say “clear a path for your race before you begin to run.”
• Playing movement games such as “Bluebird, Bluebird, Through My Window,” a marching parade, or the “Hokey Pokey.”
• Providing writing utensils, paint brushes, clay and play dough to allow children to build the muscles that control their fingers.
• Playing outdoors a lot.  Swings, slides, tunnels, tricycles, and climbers give children the chance to practice moving their feet alternately, climbing steps, pedaling, walking and running.

We do not play many competitive games at this age.  These games can damage self-confidence.  Losing often can stop preschoolers from wanting to try new things.  They are more interested in being a friend than being better than a friend.  As they reach school-age, many children become more interested in and better able to handle competitive sports.

Please feel free to share on the blog any ideas you have on encouraging physical development and activities others may be interested in.  We want to hear from you.

Learning About Science for Baby/Toddler

Science is knowledge that comes from observation, study and experimentation.  We are always encouraging children to study and experiment with real objects to discover answers, and inspire their curiosity for future learning.

Even babies are budding scientists.  They learn by using their five senses.  You can provide materials of different textures, sounds and colors so babies can discover differences in objects.  Round balls, soft blankets, prickly plastic squish toys, large plastic beads, jingle toys or bells, rattles, brights scarves, wooden spoons or toy cars are a few examples.  Babies put objects into their mouths.  This is one of the ways babies learns.  Of course, another reason to thoroughly clean and sanitize all baby toys daily.

As they get older, babies and toddlers love to stack and dump things to see what happens.  Dropping an item from the high chair gives a toddler a great thrill.  To a toddler, dropping objects is a lesson in the forces of gravity, sounds and cause and effect.  It is a good idea to provide toddlers opportunities to stack and dump using buckets, containers, measuring cups and spoons.

Encouraging children to discover the properties of water and sand.  These activities help them learn about sinking and floating, temperature, and how water changes things.  Us lots of words to describe what is happening. (“That sponge is soaking wet,” or “The cold water will feel good on your bump.”)

Playing outdoors provides experiences in a natural environment.  During outdoor play they can see insects, trees, flowers, rain, animals, and soil.  These experiences enhance their interest in and knowledge of the natural world.

Look for future blogs on more science activities.

Let’s Move Website Resources

Just click on the icon and it will lead you to a world of resources. If you are looking for ideas to get more active, this is the site for you. This initiative was launched by First Lady Michelle Obama and it is dedicated to solving the challenge of childhood obesity, so children will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. As child care providers you daily work toward this goal too.

The Let’s Move website also offers information on eating healthy, getting active and how to take action. It is a resource that will assist you in obtaining new ideas and information. I encourage you to get involved, take the pledge on the website and get up and “Let’s Move.” Please feel free to share any ideas that you have for other providers to get moving. Your center might me the next one featured on the site.