The preschool years are a period of exponential development in various developmental areas, cognitive or thinking abilities notwithstanding. During this time, toddlers develop and master the art of symbols in their thinking. Kids of such age exhibit a specific capacity of consciousness, which means that their attention is focused on a single element of an occurrence or object. Memory skills emerge, and kids demonstrate their methods of solving problems, classifying, and justification. Cognitive abilities for preschool kids largely depend on the interactions in the environment, which affects recognition and recall of information. More kids at this age identify with language and can copy whatever adults and their peers do or say (Daiute & Lee, 2019). It is essential to maintain a healthy environment for proper cognitive development in toddlers. Activities that boost toddler development are puzzles, building, listening, outside play, and letter blocks. The relevant materials for these games are building blocks, a source of sound, letter placards, and tours to a different environment. All these affect cognitive development as they primarily rely on memory and their habitat in learning.
Relationships with individuals and the surrounding environment are essential in the social development of toddlers. This is a skill that they should learn in time for their future interactions, as relationships are inevitable and should be nurtured and mastered. Relationships affect an individual’s personality, and a key trait in this area is confidence. Since learning begins at an early age, incorporating activities that boost social development in toddlers is vital. Activities that help build this skill are roleplaying, teamwork, fantasy playing, interactions among peers, and sharing toys (Tunstall, 2021). All these, in a way, teach toddlers the consequences and societal norms. They are typically influenced by their friends and build a friendship that might be directed towards other toddlers than others. Preschoolers may begin to talk back and speak for themselves and demand things even if outlawed by the house rules just because their friend does that.
Emotional development is a crucial stage for preschoolers. At this age, toddlers learn emotion control alongside consequences from doing things right or wrong. The skills developed at this stage are controlling impulses, emotion processing, compassion and empathy, and communication. Activities that boost emotional development are children’s yoga, role plays, kids’ journals, feelings cards, and time-outs (Tunstall, 2021). Feeling cards and journals help children recognize and manage their emotions as they let out instead of bottling in their feelings. Children’s yoga help in anxiety and emotion control. Consequences like time-outs for mischievous behavior get to teach toddlers that there is always a consequence for their actions, whether good or bad. The tools include diaries, yoga mats, and cards.
Physical activities growth in preschoolers affects their interaction with people and their environments. There are cases of overweight and obesity among most kids. Physical development does not only help maintain fitness or weight loss. It improves concentration and other areas of children’s development—activities that enhance physical development include racing, hiking, jogging, walking, and workouts (Weiss, 2022). Finding the best exercises for children of this age is vital to maintain balance while also ensuring that kids stay fit. This will help them thrive, develop, and control their muscles while improving their motor skills. The tools required include balloons, ropes, and baby weights.
References
Daiute, C., & Lee, C. (2019). Studying cognitive development in digital playgrounds. Cognitive Development, 49, 51-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogdev.2018.11.007
Tunstall, K. (2021, September 9). Supporting Social Development With Emotional Regulation Activities for Kids. Retrieved from Refinedprose.com: https://www.refinedprose.com/social-emotional-activities-for-preschoolers/
Weiss, K. (2022). Physical Development in Preschoolers. Preschool.org. Retrieved 22 February 2022, from https://preschool.org/physical-development-preschool/.
write