Preschool Kids: Ideas to Support Learning at Home
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Learning and development goals for children ages 3 to 5
The basis for future academic success is laid throughout the preschool years.
Fine motor skills: safe cutting with scissors, grasping with a pencil, colouring, forming letters/numbers
Self-regulation: listening intently for longer periods of time, sitting still for longer periods of time
Regulation of emotions: healthy separation, ability to calm down, tolerance of frustration
Social growth: conflict resolution, sharing, reciprocity, and empathy
Early academic skills: letter identification, letter-sound associations, number identification, counting, basic concepts (shapes, colors, textures), basic rules of print conventions
Activities of Daily Living/Independence: Putting on and taking off sweater, managing personal belongings
Creativity and imaginary play: using an object in new ways, sharing imagination
Self-confidence as a learner
How children from 3 to 5 years old learn
Learning during this period takes place almost effortlessly as children interact with sensitive caregivers, explore the environment around them, and play. The human brain was built to learn, and children this age are strengthening neural connections as they use them.
Your child's experiences and activities will literally grow their brain and improve their capacity for learning. Introduce your preschooler to a language-rich environment, a variety of rich sensory stimulation, and allow them hands-on opportunities to explore basic concepts (such as shape, color, and texture) and the environment.
What is the role of parents?
Although preschoolers are capable of independent play for short periods of time, parents will need to organize their child's day, schedule structured assignments, help with transitions between activities, and provide necessary scaffolding and encouragement.
Create structure. Children need predictability in their days just like adults do. Also, consistency and routine help children develop and learn. Through repetitive routines (eg, bath time), children learn about sequence (what comes first, next, last), build vocabulary and conceptual knowledge (eg, wet, slippery, faucet, drain ) and develop autonomy (obtaining their own towel or cleaning bath toys on their own).
Check with teachers. If your child's preschool teacher is available, it may be helpful to schedule a time to check in with him or her and discuss suggestions for specific activities. If your student receives additional services, try contacting providers to see if they can suggest ways she can help continue treatment and maintain gains at home.
Talk to your child. Almost any activity that a preschooler participates in provides an opportunity to talk, introducing new vocabulary as well as shapes, colors, sizes, and numbers. “Serve and return” interactions, or the verbal and nonverbal reciprocal exchange that takes place between a child and her caregiver, also facilitate attachment and a sense of self.
Current projects. Projects, which can include coloring, building, sorting, or sensory play (such as a water table or sandbox) are great opportunities for your child to experience your full attention, which helps reinforce a sense of importance. Commenting, reflecting and praising your child's work gives them a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem, and praising your child's effort helps with the development of determination.
Generate unstructured games. Independent play is very important to encourage creativity, problem solving and autonomy. Offer your preschooler a variety of art supplies (crayons, markers, chalk, finger paints), building materials (blocks, Magna-Tiles, Legos) or pretend play props and let them build their own craft or game . If they run out of ideas or materials, offer a new material and see if they can switch to a new way of playing on their own.
How to structure the day
While it is not necessary (or realistic) during this COVID-19 crisis to create a strict, regimented schedule, having a general “pattern” for the day will help relieve stress for you and help your child feel safe. The following advice can help you create a schedule:
Wake up at the same time, change from pajamas to “real clothes” (whatever that means to you), and eat breakfast at the normal time
Play a variety of games in succession throughout the day.
Build regular breaks into the schedule, which should include opportunities for exercise and free play
Eat dinner together as a family and use that time as an opportunity to talk about the day and solve problems together
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Types of play that support learning in children from 3 to 5 years old
When considering how to fill your child's day, it's helpful to consider the different types of play that help support different areas of their development:
Constructive play: blocks, Magna-Tiles, Legos, building a fort, coloring and crafts.
Physical Play: Run, Jump, Hide and Seek, Simon Says, Musical Chairs
Pretend play: dress up, dolls, cooking, action figures, modified “guess, guess” (e.g. have your child act like an animal and guess what they are)
Sensory play: sand table, water play, finger painting, putty, baking bread
Music game: listen to music and children's songs, play musical instruments, sing
Outdoor play: nature walk, pick flowers, identify objects or flowers when they come out
Reading time: read aloud and quietly with books
screen time
Under normal circumstances, we recommend limiting screen time (the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization suggest no more than one hour for children ages 2-5, ideally while watching alongside a caregiver). During the COVID-19 crisis, screen time can be incorporated into a balanced activity diet and should be used strategically, such as when you need less attention from your child (such as when you cook dinner, work, or help sibling with school work). For a list of free, accessible online resources, download our guide 'Remote Learning Resources for Families' from the Child Mind Institute, which includes educational programming, suggestions for movement breaks, museum visits, book reading times, and more. plus.
How to Build Independence in Preschoolers
During the preschool years, children begin to truly develop their sense of independence. This is immensely important in building confidence and a sense of self. Ways you can encourage independence while at home in the COVID-19 crisis include:
Structure the day. Just like adults, when children can anticipate their day, they are better equipped to take responsibility.
Start small. Before going out, for example, your child can put on his own hat and get his shoes out of the closet.
Let your child choose. Involve them in choices, like what to wear. This does not mean that they have free rein. Provide 2-3 options and then praise their great ability to make a decision!
Let your child help you. Children love to help! When you allow your child to help, even if it takes her longer to do things, you build her confidence and give her the opportunity to learn something new.
Let your child solve problems. Let your children try difficult things and solve (small) problems on their own. Wait until they ask for help or assist only to take them to the next step in a task. You can acknowledge that something is difficult and let them know you're proud by offering praise for trying something on their own or for the first time.
Assign chores to your child. Simple chores like picking up toys or putting laundry in the basket allow your child reasonable responsibility, and those chores also help maintain routine and structure throughout the day.
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