Category: Preschool

Animals can be a great way to teach preschoolers important life skills, such as empathy and respect for living creatures. From petting, a dog or cat to visiting a farm with cows and chickens, interacting with animals is an enriching experience for young children. However, kids must learn how to interact with animals in the right way so they don’t get hurt or scared of the animal.

Here are some fantastic ways you can teach your preschooler how to interact safely and respectfully with all kinds of animals.

Introduce Them to Animals in the Home

The first step is to introduce your preschooler to animals that live at home. Start with a pet, like a dog or a cat, and explain how they should approach the animal gently. This allows them to learn how each species responds differently and how to interact appropriately. Teach them simple commands such as sit, stay, and come when called for pets, and about appropriate touching for different types of animals. Try to teach biodiversity for kids by showing them educational videos that explain how different animals behave and interact with each other. And, of course, always supervise your child’s interactions with animals in the home.

Visit a Farm or Zoo

Visiting a farm or zoo is another great way to introduce your preschooler to different types of animals. They can learn more about the natural environment of an animal by seeing its habitat up close, as well as understanding their behavior better by observing them in action. Teach them to move slowly around the animals and be respectful when approaching them. Explain that it’s important not to startle or scare the animals, and always ask permission before touching any animal. This is also a great opportunity to teach your preschooler more about biodiversity.

Create a Sensory Bin for Pretend Play

Create a sensory bin filled with items like stuffed animals, toy figurines, sand, and water to let your preschooler explore different animals in a safe and fun way. This is a great way to get them familiar with how the animals look, move, and act while allowing them to use their imagination at the same time. You can also incorporate books or videos about animals into your sensory bin activities to enrich their experience further. For example, read a story about a farm and then let them explore the sensory bin with different animals.

Take a Nature Walk

Nature walks are an ideal way to get kids up close and personal with animals in their natural environment. Be sure to explain what each animal is, how it moves, and how it interacts with its surroundings. Encourage your preschooler to observe the animals from afar but also talk about what they see. Teach them why it’s important not to disturb or scare off any wild animals they might encounter and be sure to point out any danger signs too. Additionally, explain that some animals may not be safe to approach, like snakes or spiders.

Volunteer at an Animal Shelter

Take your preschooler to a local animal shelter and let them volunteer their time by feeding the animals, walking them, or even brushing them. This is a great way to teach kids empathy and responsibility while also allowing them to get up close with a variety of animals in a controlled environment. Talk about how each animal behaves differently from one others and why we need to take care of them properly. Show your preschooler how the volunteers play with the cats or dogs to help make them more adoptable – this can drive home the importance of respecting all living creatures.

Watch Wildlife Documentaries

Wildlife documentaries are a great way to introduce your preschooler to animals they might not otherwise get to see up close. Watching footage of different species in their natural habitat teaches kids about the importance of biodiversity and how each animal fits into its delicate ecosystem. Be sure to explain why it’s important not to disrupt these habitats or disturb any animals while watching the documentaries together. This is also a great opportunity to talk about endangered species and what we can do to help preserve them.

Introducing your preschooler to a variety of animals is an important step in teaching them about respect, responsibility, and the importance of preserving biodiversity. With a little guidance and supervision, you can help your child learn about different animals in exciting and educational ways. And if you find that your preschooler loves animals, consider taking them to a summer camp or classes dedicated to animal science. No matter how you decide to do it, developing an appreciation for different types of animals is an important lesson for kids of all ages.

Why does a child need to be creative, conditions for discovering creative potential, how to introduce a child to creativity, identifying abilities by age, effective games and ideas for discovering creative abilities.  According to psychologists, creativity is useful at any age.

That being said, it is easier to develop the creative abilities of a child than in adulthood. So, let’s explore the features of the development of creative abilities in children of primary preschool age.

Why is creativity needed at all?

Creativity and creativity are synonymous. According to psychologists, there are several reasons to include creativity in a child’s life and develop this skill. It:

• Benefits for the psyche – such therapy calms, helps to get rid of stress, negative emotions, aggression.
• Help with learning – therapy unloads the brain, develops empathy. Having calmed down, a person can find a way out of a difficult situation, make the right decision.
• Way of self-expression. With the help of creativity, the world is known, and a person knows himself. In this area, you can experiment without fear that someone will misunderstand you or judge you.

Conditions for the development of creative abilities

In order for creative skills to develop successfully, several conditions must be met:

1. Classes in the physical development of the child in a timely manner and at the right age.
2. Inclusion of creative activities at a younger age.
3. Creating an environment conducive to the development of creative abilities – an emotionally calm microclimate in the family and the team, creating an atmosphere for creative search.
4. Support from parents.
5. Classes are only in the form of a game. Children’s psyche is arranged in such a way that at a younger age information is perceived and remembered only through the game. There is no point in having boring classes.
6. Continuous development – the use of various methods. Every achievement should be praised.
7. Classes should be carried out regularly and systematically. Even if the child is sick and misses kindergarten or a circle, you need to continue to study at home.
8. Help from adults, timely and dosed.
9. Patience for the creative “torments” of the child – if the baby is sitting on a project for a long time, there is no need to push him.
10. Stimulating the child, with possible failures, the baby does not need to be scolded, but you need to support and praise.
11. Young children are willingly involved in the creative process because of their curiosity, desire to know the world and interest in themselves.

How to introduce a child to creativity

Here are some general tips that parents can heed if they want to develop their child’s creativity:

It is important to find a hobby that interests you. There are many facets in creativity that can be successfully developed – modeling, collages, drawing, jewelry, needlework, etc. The task of parents is to direct creativity in the right direction. Some children may already have a strong passion to express themselves creatively they will need an outlet to explore those passions.

Creativity should be gradually introduced into the life of the child. Perhaps the child will like some direction, and he will want to repeat something. Therefore, it is worth visiting exhibitions, master classes in various areas, museums, expositions and more.

You can not criticize the work of the child. If something doesn’t work out for the baby, you don’t need to “cut his wings”. If he wants to create, let him create.

Every parent should understand that there are no incapable and uncreative children. Every child has some talent, you need to find and develop it. The wrong approach on the part of parents, school, society can “kill” a child’s creativity and desire to create.

Ideas for developing creativity

Creative skills and creativity need to be developed. Only a small percentage of children from a young age have the ability to be creative and creative. Therefore, the task of parents is to independently deal with the child before sending him to some circles. A few ideas:

1. Drawing. From a young age, you can give children pencils, paints, paper, craft glitter. Children are very easily drawn into drawing, because the result they get surprises them. From the age of 3-4, drawing becomes meaningful, the child can already express his thoughts through drawing.
2. Sculpting, in addition to creative skills and creativity, also develops fine motor skills of the hands, and also trains memory and visual perception. The result obtained in the craft encourages children to experiment.
3. Application. The essence of the lesson is to cut out the figures and stick them on paper. Suitable for developing a sense of color, shape, rhythm, symmetry. Along with this, children learn the planned organization of work.
4. Unconventional drawing. Older children are no longer interested in drawing just with pencils and paints. They choose non-traditional drawing methods – paraffin candles, cotton buds, combs, toothbrushes. Such activities contribute to the removal of children’s fears, develop self-confidence, and help to achieve inner harmony.
5. Music, reading and literary creativity. These disciplines overlap. The older the child, the more serious musical and literary works he should study. The singing is also very interesting.
6. Theatrical activity. Children are very interested in transforming into various characters. But the older the child gets, the more difficult it is for him. Therefore, the optimal age for visiting the theater circle is 3-4 years. Then it is more difficult to liberate the child.

Creative skills can be developed at any age. The main thing is to choose the right classes and exercises.

Learning how to speak is an essential milestone for babies and toddlers. It’s also a task that parents and guardians should prepare for and take seriously from the birth of their child and beyond. Now, kids pick up language skills at their own pace. There’s always a chance that a child will learn to speak sooner or later than their siblings, cousins, or peers.

At the same time, though, it’s still important to keep a close track of their language skills. This is because delays in this area can indicate child development issues, and acknowledging and addressing these challenges as soon as possible can be key to changing a child’s developmental trajectory and improving the outcome for the child, their family, and their community as a whole.

How Can Parents Help Toddlers and Young Children Develop Language Skills?

Teaching your child how to communicate through words is a long-term task for many parents, and lessons should start upon the birth of your infant. While your child might not be able to use their words until after they turn 6 months old, for example, they are capable of understanding your words and connecting what you say to what you mean. Here’s how you can encourage your young babies and toddlers to develop their communication and language skills:

Talk to Your Baby Frequently

Talking to your baby frequently will not only strengthen your bond with each other, but the act will also help expose your child to new sounds and words and learn how they are configured in sentences. In addition, it will also help them become more familiar with the world around them. Tell your baby about their surroundings, discuss the details of the clothes they’re wearing, or narrate what you’re doing when you’re around them, for starters.

Name the Objects around You

You can help your child pick up new words by introducing them to the items around them and the things that they use regularly. Introduce them to the feeding bottle every time you feed them so that they can connect it to the feeling of being satiated, for example. You can also do this with people by calling your partner, family members, or friends the names that you want your child to eventually associate with them.

Read Books and Labels Together

Reading to your child is a good practice, and research shows that children whose parents read them books as infants have larger vocabularies compared to their peers. Early on, show your infant how reading can be a fun activity by highlighting the pictures and words in the books that you read together.

Encourage Them to Repeat Words

If your baby is trying to repeat the words that you’re saying, encourage them. If they try to repeat the names of the people they interact with or the items they typically use, such as milk or ball, for example, this means that they’re getting the concept that these things have names. Support their progress and praise them for their efforts.

As soon as you notice an interest in a second language, you should equip them with the tools that will help them thrive. For instance, parents are often looking for the best app for kids to learn Spanish as they grow because they understand the benefits of being bilingual. Others enroll their children in classes to learn a new language or take them on trips that will expose them to different cultures, languages, and accents.

Cultivate Their Interests

What catches your child’s attention lately? If they’re interested in animals, dinosaurs, or trucks, for instance, how about using these items to spark a conversation with them? If you want them to practice speaking, ask them to describe their favorite toy, say what it can and can’t do, and what it might do if it gets in a particular situation.

Introduce Expectant Pauses

A pause that’s meant to give your child time to respond to a question is called an expectant pause, and many children’s shows use it to keep their young viewers engaged with their program. Use expectant pauses in real life as well to further encourage your child to say their mind and be a part of the conversation.

Give Your Child Options

Another way to encourage your child to use their words is by giving them options. Perhaps you can ask them if they’d rather wear clothes of one colour or another after taking a bath, or you can also ask them if they feel like eating a cookie or a cupcake as dessert.

Speak Slowly but Avoid Baby Talk

Allow your child to grasp the proper use of words by avoiding baby talk. Your child will inevitably mispronounce words that are not familiar to them or those that they have yet to practice using in earnest. Leave the baby talk to them, but use and pronounce the words properly so your child can follow your example.

When to Seek the Help of a Child Development Specialist

It’s important to talk to your pediatrician if your child has not yet started to talk by the age of 2, if they have trouble following directions or putting simple sentences together, or if their vocabulary is far smaller than is expected from someone of their age. It’s also a good idea to regularly share updates on your child’s language milestones with their paediatrician. This way, the specialist can address any concerns and questions that you might have about your child’s development and direct you to people who can help you and your child navigate challenges in acquiring verbal skills.

Reading Resources

Discover psychological strategies to encourage language learning in kids.

A playground is an important part of a child’s life. When we think of a playground, we imagine one that’s packed with kids of different shapes and sizes as well as abilities and physical activity levels. To handle such a broad user base, playgrounds need to introduce appropriate play structures that attract and engage children with different capabilities.

Children of different ages have vastly diverse physical, cognitive, and social skills. As you may imagine, preschoolers will need very different playground equipment than preteens. The guidelines for age-appropriate play equipment are clearly stated in the Consumer Product Safety Commission‘s Handbook on Public Playground Safety. The idea behind separate play equipment is to make the environment more secure, entertaining and stimulating.

What is an Age-Appropriate Playground?

The style of play kids enjoy evolves as they get older. Age-appropriate play activities allow children to better express and enjoy themselves. It also encourages them to push and test their bounds. On the other hand, when children are forced to play with equipment that may be too complex for them, it can result in injuries.

Specialized play equipment providers need to find the perfect balance between fun and safe. There are several factors to consider while selecting appropriate play sets for children of different ages, such as the child’s:

• Size
• Physical ability
• Auditory system
• Mental acuity
• Stimulation of senses
• Balance
• Spatial orientation
• Gustatory system
• Olfactory system
• Proprioceptive development

Benefits of Age-Appropriate Play

By engaging kids of different ages and abilities, age-appropriate playground equipment offer the following benefits:

Physical Health

The NHS recommends that children should have at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily to build their muscles and bones. Thus, children must visit the playground daily and use playground equipment to enhance their fitness and strength. Doing so keeps kids healthy and prevents them from falling sick often.

Challenge

Fear of a complicated piece of equipment may cause children to abandon it, whereas one that provides no challenge becomes less engaging and is finally discarded. It is, therefore, critical to include age-appropriate playground equipment to keep different children interested, while also allowing them to develop their cognitive abilities.

Safety

Playgrounds should be enjoyable, and age-appropriate equipment is crucial for keeping children happy and engaged. A safe playground takes into account the height of the equipment for each child.  What is suitable for a 12-year-old may not be safe for a 2-year-old. Seating and standing heights differ for toddlers, pre-toddlers, and school-age children.

Appropriate Playground Equipment by Age Group

When selecting a play structure, one crucial factor is the age range of the children enjoying the equipment. The three age groups for which gear is typically designed are:

6 – 23 Months

Choose equipment that helps toddlers to exercise their new physical independence while they strive to explore their immediate environment with their senses. When picking material, ensure it is lightweight, low to the ground, and within their grasp. The exteriors should be soft, either foam or rubber wrapped. It is important to select equipment that allows them to crawl or move about comfortably.

Suitable playground equipment for children in this age group are:

• Ramps
• Swings with bucket seats
• Slides of low height
• Low crawl tunnels

2 – 5 Years

This preschool-level group is eager to attend and enjoy the play equipment. At this age, children attempt to imitate their elders. The play equipment should be physically challenging, while also being safe in height. Children in this age range begin to learn about playing in social groups. Choose play equipment that will encourage their creativity, while also strengthening their body. Sliding and climbing are popular activities among children in this age group.

Suitable playground equipment for children in this age group are:

• Climbing structures
• Playhouse
• Spring riders
• Ramps

5 – 12 Years

The school-age children are energetic and vibrant. They like more complicated play that provides mental and physical challenges to keep them engaged. Children in the group have learned social skills and are honing their gross and motor abilities, allowing them to incorporate various play equipment into enjoyable activities.

Suitable playground equipment for children in this age group are:

• Spinners
• Merry-go-rounds
• Stairways
• Vertical sliding poles

A playground is an excellent area for children to learn and develop fundamental skills. For their overall development and playground safety, age-appropriate equipment is a must. In addition, the age group of the users should be explicitly stated in the play areas, as the proper equipment is critical in helping children progress physically, cognitively, and socially.

Image Source: https://pinterest.com/pin/562175965956621313/

Related Resources:

Ten tips for child safety at home and they grow and play.
Read about age appropriate toddler tables and chairs.