Early Education Newsletter - Fall 2017

Kids Corner Fall 2017 Edition

Welcome to the first edition of the Veritas Early Education Department newsletter. Raising young children is challenging in our ever changing world. It is my prayer that this publication will bring you bits of information that you can use to assist you as you seek to instill seeds of social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and spiritual growth in your child.

Blessings, Kim Hering, Director of Early Education

Developmental Milestones Children develop in specific ways but at their own pace. Developmental milestones are those skills and abilities that children can reasonably be expected to achieve at or by a certain age. It is not a list to hold children by. We are all unique and human development is unique for each person. Knowing where your child falls developmentally will help you to understand his or her progress at school and home.

2-3 Year Olds

Social Development: -Enjoys singing and trying to copy fingerplays -Understands “mine”’, “his”, and “yours” -Greets familiar people -Engages in simple games in small groups -Helps with clean-up activities when prompted -Takes turns when prompted -Gives attention to stories for 5 minutes or more -Copies adults and peers Cognitive Development: -Attempts to draw faces -Understands what “one” and “t wo” means -Can name familiar objects -Counts to three by rote -Classifies objects by general categories -Counts up to 3 objects -Knows own gender -Beginning to identify colors

Emotional Development: -Able to recover quickly after transitions and routines -Separates from parent easily -Shows wide range of emotions -Can dress and undress self -Shows affection for family and friends -Shows concern for a friend who is crying Physical Development: -Runs easily -Pedals a tricycle -Balances on one foot for 2-3 seconds -Can hop on one foot at least one time -Walks up and down stairs alternating feet -Beginning to draw vertical and horizontal lines -Beginning to draw circles -Builds with blocks and other toys using at least 6 blocks -Can work toys that have buttons, moving parts, levers -Puts together 4 piece (or larger) puzzles -Draws or copies t wo lines that cross

-

Communication and Language Development: -Gives own first and last name and age -Follows 2 step directions without distraction -Beginning to understand “in”, “on”, and “under” -Can name familiar objects -Has conversations consisting of 2-3 sentences -Can name friends and family members -Uses pronouns in conversations (I, me, we, you) and some plurals (dogs, cats, etc.)

-Can be understood 75% of the time by strangers

3-4 Year Olds

Social Development: -Enjoys singing and doing fingerplays with others -Greets familiar people -Engages in simple group games -Helps with clean-up activities -Takes turns -Gives attention to stories for 10 minutes -Plays interactive games -Plays with peers with minimal conflict -Interacts with peers in socially appropriate manner -Asks permission to use items belonging to others

Cognitive Development: -Draws faces -Makes random marks on paper -Makes controlled scribbles on paper -Makes basic shapes -Combines circles and/or squares with crossed lines -Makes suns, animals, trees, and flowers -Can sort by t wo different colors -Understands three prepositions (from, about, with…)

-Recalls familiar objects -Counts to five by rote -Classifies objects by categories

Emotional Development: -Able to recover from anger or temper tantrum -Separates from parent without reluctance -Verbalizes emotions he or she is feeling -Expresses displeasure with words -Mostly maintains an appropriate, stable temperament -Beginning to differentiate bet ween fact/fantasy -Recognizes emotions in others

Physical Development: -Jumps over obstacles when running -Jumps down from object 6” to 8” off the ground -Catches a 6 to 8 inch ball using arms -Balances on one foot for 4-5 seconds -Hops on one foot at least 2 times -Walks up and down stairs, unassisted, alternating feet -Throws a ball over-handed and under-handed -Draws or copies vertical and horizontal lines -Draw or copies a complete circle -Builds with blocks and other building toys -Strings 1 inch beads -Cuts paper into t wo pieces with scissors -Draws or copies t wo lines that cross -Puts together 9-piece (or larger) puzzles

Communication and Language Development: -Gives own first and last name and age -When given a choice, names preferred object/activity -Begins asking purposeful questions -Uses complete sentences consistently -Tells a simple experience -Sings a simple song -Asks a variety of “who”, “what”, “where”, etc. questions

4-5 Year Olds

Social Development: -Asks for help when needed -Engages in cooperative play frequently -Gives attention to stories for 10-15 minutes -Says “please” and “thank you” without reminder -Joins in mealtime conversations -Initiates friendships with peers -Plays interactive games -Plays with peers with minimal conflict -Interacts with adults in appropriate manner -Asks permission to use items belonging to others

Cognitive Development: -Makes suns, animals, trees, flowers, etc.

-Counts to 10 by rote -Names picture that has been hidden -Comprehends concept of opposites -Works a 12-piece (or larger) puzzle -Draws a t wo-part (or 3-part) person -Counts four or more objects -Identifies four colors when named -Identifies shapes -Extends sentences logically

Emotional Development: Physical Development: -Developing a sense of humor -Balances on one foot for 5-10 seconds -Shows increasing friendliness in small-groups -Jumps over a stationary rope held 6” above the ground -Responds to a specific need/desire of another child -Pedals a tricycle around obstacles and sharp corners -Verbalizes and is comfortable expressing emotions -Catches a ball in hands, arms flexed -Openly/warmly expresses affection to other children -Hops around on one foot without support -Comforts other children -Walks backward -Is able to return to equilibrium after experiencing stress -Throws a ball with accuracy -Exhibits concern for fairness by sharing/taking turns -Holds paper in place with one hand while writing -Cuts with scissors along a thick, straight line Communications and Language Development: -Draws recognizable pictures -Follows 3-step directions without distraction -Draws or copies shapes -Demonstrates understanding of “is” and “is not” -Cuts with scissors following a simple outline -Uses possessive forms of nouns -Uses series of conjunctions -Averages at least 5-word sentences in conversations -Describes items and/or objects in books -Speech is clear and can be understood by others

5-6 Year Olds

Social Development: -Asks for help when needed -Engages in cooperative play with groups of children -Gives attentions to stories for 15 minutes -Says “please” and thank you” with no reminders -Joins in mealtime conversations -Initiates friendships with peers -Plays interactive games -Plays with peers with minimal conflict -Showing more independence -Wants to please peers and adults -Asks permission to use items belonging to others Emotional Development: -Developing a sense of humor -Displays proper interactions in large/small groups -Responds to needs/desires of another child -Expresses a variety of emotions -Openly and warmly expresses affection for others Communication and Language Development: -Follows 3-step directions without distractions -Recalls parts or all of a story -Uses future tense when speaking -Tells longer stories -Uses possessive forms of nouns -Uses a series of conjunctions -Uses sentences with more than 5 words consistently

Cognitive Development: -Makes suns, animals, trees, flowers, etc.

-Draws recognizable people -Counts to 20 by rote -Names picture that has been hidden -Comprehends concept of opposites -Works a 12-piece (or larger) puzzle -Counts ten or more objects -Identifies colors and shapes -Understands the concept of time Physical Development: -Balances on one foot for at least 10 seconds -Jumps over stationary rope held 6” above the ground -Pedals a tricycle around obstacles and sharp corners -Catches a ball in hands, arms flexed -Hops around on one foot without support -Walks backward with ease -Throws a ball with accuracy -Can somersault, swing, and climb -Beginning to learn to skip -Holds paper in place with one hand while writing -Uses pincer grasp when holding writing instrument -Cuts with scissors -Uses a fork, spoon, and knife correctly -Prints own first name -Prints other letters -Draws or copies shapes -Dresses and undresses self -Cares for own toileting needs -Laces shoes or lacing board

Note: There can be a 6 to 8 month window with typical development. This means that children may exhibit skills 6 to 8 months before or after the age under which the skills are listed. http://www.preschool-plan-it.com/developmental-milestones.html

Did You Know?

Keep the following foods away from children younger than 4 years: •

Hot dogs.

•

Nuts and seeds.

•

Chunks of meat or cheese.

•

Whole grapes.

•

Hard or sticky candy.

•

Popcorn.

•

Chunks of peanut butter.

•

Chunks of raw vegetables.

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthissues/.../Choking-Prevention.aspx

Parent/Teacher Conferences Below is a list of questions to help you get the most out of meeting with your child’s teacher.

May I tell you about my child?

May I tell you about what is going on at home?

How is my child doing socially?

How is my child doing emotionally?

In what areas does my child need improvement?

Is my child doing his/her best?

Does my child need extra help in any areas?

What can we do to provide that extra help?

Can you tell me about your teaching method?

Do you have any advice?

For more information: https://www.care.com/c/stories/3264/20-questions-to-askduring-a-parent-teacher-c/ https://blogs.brighthorizons.com/familyroom/questions-to-ask-a-preschool-teacher/