Child Care Today ©2012

Chapter 16: Nurturing and Teaching Preschoolers

Chapter Summary

Children three, four, and five years old are called preschoolers. Preschooler bodies appear less babylike. Small- and large-motor skills and eye-hand coordination become more refined and complex. Intellectual development also becomes more refined. Preschoolers learn classification, centration, and seriation. They also begin to understand numbers, counting, and very basic concepts of time. Preschoolers generally do not yet understand conservation. Gradually, children learn rules of grammar and pronunciation. Children may pronounce some sounds incorrectly, leave long pauses between words, or repeat sounds or words. This is normal development. Preschoolers can master languages more easily than adults. Teachers should encourage bilingual development. Preschoolers are more able to vent their feelings with words. Feelings of self-esteem become more distinct, and self-help skills increase. Preschoolers learn gender identity and roles by watching adults. They engage in cooperative play and make friends. Conflicts are often over toys or personal property. Cooperative play influences intellectual and social development.

Regular routines are important for preschoolers. Vigorous, large-muscle activities challenge new physical abilities, while complicated art activities use small-motor skills. Provide preschoolers with meaningful hands-on experiences for intellectual development. Preschoolers develop literacy skills rapidly. Empathize with children to help them cope with emotional events, and give them opportunities to express emotions. Offer activities that involve cooperation and teamwork, and step in to help preschoolers resolve conflicts. Preschoolers can engage in cooperative learning activities. They enjoy learning about their communities.