Preschoolers: What changes can I expect as little kids grow?

Preschoolers are delightful, full of curiosity and questions. As language develops you will be bombarded with questions. Imagine, a whole world out there to discover, explore and understand! Little Children are developing more physical dexterity and motor abilities and need constant challenges to their physical capabilities. We'll give you an overview of the child development milestones, but remember there is a lot of overlap, little kids take their own time for each stage.

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The Terrific Twos

Unfortunately two year olds are often referred to, as the Terrible Twos. This is a time when little children do get frustrated as they are struggling to communicate and trying so hard to direct this tiny body. They master a huge range of tasks over the next few years. As language develops they can communicate their needs better.

Two year olds start to play more imaginatively, for example, using a block as a car, or pretending to read to Teddy. A preschooler will start to imitate daily activities, like feeding dolly, pretending to drink and eat from the teaset.

Little children start to understand object groupings, such as collecting all the cars together, or all the animals.

Your preschool child will try to figure things out, what is that noise?, where has the cat gone? "What doing, Mummy?" or "What's that?" will be constant questions!

Language development is really noticeable from aged two, stringing more words together and verbally expressing her needs more and more. As language develops, frustrations tend to decrease as your preschooler is able to express herself.

A two year old child starts to recognize pain location, ie sore ear, sore tummy - so helpful, starts to eliminate the guesswork!

By the end of year two most little children will have achieved toilet training, with the occasional accident when they are too busy!

Decisions Decisions....

Life is very busy for preschoolers and their Mums (Moms) and Dads. As the world opens up for your preschooler there will be many choices and decisions throughout her day. Many little ones get overwhelmed with choice, and I believe parents often set themselves up for difficulties when little kids are offered too many choices.

Your preschooler may have started to recognize when she is hungry but not know what she wants to eat or how to put it into words. Inviting a decision is often just confusing and you will often get the standard No! I also think parents are often dis-empowered when their two year old rules the roost - maybe that is where the terrible twos comes from!

Asking for a decision is different from offering choices. You can present a plate of various kinds of food and they can pick and choose without having to think about it. But trying to get a cognitive decision about "what do you want to eat?" is too confusing!

Busy times!

As preschoolers develop better hand-eye coordination they can start to put objects together and take them apart. Different sized stacking or nesting toys are great, puzzles and toys that DO something.

Little kids will squat for long periods whilst playing, and have developed intense concentration when they are intrigued by something.

Your preschooler is gaining physical confidence and will and attempt physical challenges, climbing up on chairs, going up stairs - but not with alternating feet yet. Rope nets are a great challenge for preschool children to climb. Little children gain more balance, attempting balancing, on one leg, walking on a low beam, stepping from stone to stone.

Your two year old can:

• Can turn a handle to open a door and unscrew lids.
• Uses feet to push along a wheeled ride-on toy.
• By the end of year two, will probably have 20 baby teeth.
• Learns to jump - Jumping down from steps, logs etc.
• Learns to unbuttons large buttons, or work a zipper.

Caring and sharing

Preschool children start to show empathy and caring, comforting a crying friend or "kissing it better". Small children love helping with chores, setting the table, putting the washing in the basket. A Two year old still plays alongside others, may offer toys but hasn't yet learned to play cooperatively. "Mine" is a common statement! He won't learn to share until around three years old.

And now we are three....

A Three year old doesn't need much help eating except maybe to cut things up. At this age little kids can carefully carry cups or bowls with liquids and not spill it.

Water play is great learning at this age. Learning to control liquids, and understanding fluid measurements. For example, Half and full bottles of water; Which is more, this or this?

Small children will show increasing independence, washing hands and brushing his own teeth.

A three year old will get better control of crayons and markers, holding them properly rather than in a fist.

Physical stuff!

Preschoolers need lots of physical activities and their little body is mastering many skills. Little Kids from about three on start to use alternating feet when going up and down stairs. Jumping is more skillful, landing on both feet or jumping up and down on the spot. Jumping and physical games and rhymes are great at this age. Three year olds usually learn to pedal a tricycle, and loves swings and slides.

A Three Year old is developing Ball skills:

• starts to throw overarm and aim improves. (my aim never did!)
• Can catch a large ball with both arms.
• Your preschool child learns to kick a ball (and hopefully not the dog!)

Chit Chat and games

Your three year old preschooler will be talking non stop, most of it understandable! He will start to use descriptive words, such as the big yellow teddy, and more complex sentences. Little kids often talk to themselves and imaginary (so called!) friends.

Socially, your three year old is friendly and eager to please. Preschool children start to play with other children, learning to co-operate and share toys. Make believe play, dress-ups and lets pretend become frequent activities.

Simple games and group activities are great fun and excellent learning. Taking turns is not always easy, and win/loose games hard to cope with.

Your three year old:

• Enjoys building with blocks.
• Builds a tower of eight or more blocks.
• Enjoys playing with clay; pounds, rolls, and squeezes it
• May begin to show hand dominance.
• Can stack things in order of size

Your preschooler may have the occasional nightmare or get scared of the dark or monsters. He may continue to have a special blanky, or favorite toy for comfort.

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