Child development is a continuous process. It occurs in phases and at different rates. At every developmental stage, children possess different interests, abilities, and personalities, both of which are marked by distinct features and characteristics. Each step is characterized by improvements in achievements when compared to the previous one. The Johns Hopkins Medicine (2020) website discusses the three main stages – preschool, school-aged, and adolescent. The preschool stage ranges between the ages of 4 and 5 years. During this time, the child is introduced into an unfamiliar environment. The child is introduced to an unfamiliar environment, the school.
Between the age of 4 and 5 years, the child begins to have new excitements and abilities. A remarkable teacher should, therefore, appreciate such capabilities. It is at this stage that the child starts showing some changes, including but not limited to singing, skipping and hopping on one foot, catching and throwing a ball, and walking downstairs alone. They can also draw a person with three separate body parts, build block towers, and understand the difference between fantasy and reality (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2020). Other developmental changes of a child are seen when trying to relate to a recognized environment.
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Teachers must understand that at the preschool stage, the child starts to have speech development. Thus, the teacher should assist their student in building a relationship since the child is starting to relate to real-life by interacting with people. The child becomes a social being at this level, and they can be able to connect with different personalities. On the other hand, the child can also put a composition of different words in a sentence. Also, the child can differentiate colors, for they are aware of multiple colors. Furthermore, they can even understand several instructions with a single command (Hanford, 2009). By connecting all these attributes, the child can talk exceptionally by giving stories and trying to ask questions. Thus, it can be said that the child is trying to find themselves.
Preschool kids are at a development stage where their vocabulary starts growing. Thus, at this point, the teacher should help the student to formulate sentences. As the vocabulary grows, the children can now understand concepts and compare abstract ideas and countable ideas, thus, drawing their conclusions according to familiarity. The growth of knowledge in a kid makes them understand time, they become aware of people around them, and they begin to obey rules. However, the kid may not be able to differentiate right from wrong, and as a result, the teacher must guide them. Also, the child can now make things happen as a result of their improved levels of understanding, and they can now be able to compare their parents to other children.
Preschool children are also starting to interact and socialize with their peers. At this point, the teacher is urged to stand between them to control any negative relationships. Communication is an essential and necessary step in children’s growth. However, guiding the interactions can be frustrating to the teachers because preschool kids want to do things on their own. For example, sharing becomes uncomfortable for most of them, and others tend to be moody. However, at this stage, the child can learn some manners, and they also become all-rounded individuals (Bennett, 2004). Therefore, teachers should teach them how to tolerate all individuals without having a selection of whom to relate with. In the end, the children become accommodative of each other. For a teacher handling a child in this stage, it is important to encourage their social capabilities. Teachers should boost a child's ability by offering rewards for good behavior. The teacher can also encourage the child to be open and express their feelings. Moreover, the child can be encouraged to participate in physical exercise.
References
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2020). The growing child: preschool (4 to 5 years). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-growing-child-preschool-4-to-5-years
Hanford, E. (2009). Early lessons. American Radio Works . http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/preschool/
Bennett, J. (2004). The curriculum in early childhood education and care. UNESCO Policy Brief of Early Childhood, No.26. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000137401
