BIG IDEAS ABOUT THE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF PRESCHOOLERS

1. There are significant changes in physical growth of preschoolers.

2. The preschoolers" physical development is marked by the acquisition of gross and fine motor skills.

3. Preschoolers can express themselves artistically at a very early age.

4. Proper nutrition and the right amount of sleep are very important for the preschoolers.

5. Caregivers and teachers can do a lot in maximizing the growth and development of preschoolers.

6. Preschoolers with special needs in inclusive classroom can thrive well with the appropriate adaptations made in the classroom, materials and activities.

Gross and Fine Motor Development

- Gross motor development refers to acquiring skills that involve the large muscles. 

1. Locomotor skills - involve going from one place to another like walking, running, climbing, skipping, hopping, creeping, galloping and dodging.

2. Non-locomotor skills - those where the child stays in place like bending, stretching, turning and swaying

3. Manipulative skills - involve projecting and receiving objects, like throwing, striking, bouncing, catching and dribbling.

Fine motor development 

refers to acquiring the ability to use the smaller muscles in the arm, hands and fingers purposefully. Some of the skills included here are picking, squeezing, pounding and opening things, holding and using a writing implement. It also involves self-help skills like using the spoon and fork when pating, buttoning, zipping, combing and brushing. 

Brain Connections in the Preschool Years 

From science lessons you had in highschooler or even in elementary, you will remember that our brain is composed of numerous cells called neurons that connect to each other to function. Cell connections are what we call synapses, sometimes also referred to as synaptic connections. 

Big Ideas about Preschoolers' Cognitive Development

1. Preschoolers engage in symbolic and intuitive thinking.

2. Brain connections are made when preschoolers interact with the environment.

3. Preschoolers' language development occurs in four areas: phonology semantics, syntax, and pragmatics.

4. Vygotsky believed that language and social interaction are very important to cognitive development.

5. Preschoolers' cognitive development is marked by the emergence of a theory of mind.

Big Ideas about Preschoolers' Socioemotional Development

1. The development of initiative is crucial to the preschooler.

2. A healthy self-concept is needed for preschoolers to interact with others.

3. Environmental factors influence gender identity in younger children.

4. Preschooler's social development is shown through the stage of play.

5. The care-giving styles of parents and teachers affect the preschoolers' socioemotional development.

6. Preschoolers are interested in building friendships.

PARTEN'S SIX STAGES OF PLAY

1. Unoccupied Play - Children are relatively still and their play appears scattered. This type of play builds the foundation for the other five stages of play.. This stage allows children to practice manipulating materials, mastering their self-control and learning about how the world works.

2. Solitary Play - This type of play occurs when children entertain themselves without any other social involvement. 

3. Onlooker Play - Children who sit back and engagingly watch other children playing, but do not join in are onlookers. 

4. Parallel Play - This occurs when children play next to each other, but are not really interacting together. 

5. Associative Play - This type of play signifies a shift in the child. Instead of being more focused on the activity or object involved in play, children begin to be more interested in the other players. 

6. Cooperative Play - This is play categorized by cooperative efforts between players.

• Caregiving Styles - Caregiving styles affect socio emotional development of the children. 

• Responsiveness refers to caregiver behaviors that pertain to expression of affection and communication. 

• Demandingness refers to the level of control and expectations. This involves disciplines and confrontation strategies.

1. Authoritative - High demandingness / high responsiveness.

2. Authoritarian - High demandingness / low responsiveness

3. Permissiveness - low demandingness / high responsiveness

4. Negligent - low demandingness / low responsiveness