Early Childhood

 

 

The early childhood stage (2-6 years) of development is fun and exciting for both the child and the parent. During this time, a child goes through many physical, cognitive and social changes.

Physical Development

• Growth rate slows: the average child in this stage grows 21/2 inches in height and 5-7 pounds per year.
• Body fat declines during preschool years.
• Boys have more muscle while girls have more fat.
• Gross and fine motor skills progress rapidly. Gross motor skills include running, skipping and jumping. Fine motor skills include turning pages of a book and learning to write and draw.
• The most important physical development during early childhood is the brain and nervous system growth.
• The average preschool child requires 1700 calories per day. Well balanced meals are important in this stage because their diet affects skeletal growth, body shape and susceptibility to disease.

Cognitive Development

From 2-7 years of age children form stable concepts and mental reasoning begins to develop. From 2-4 years children develop symbolic reasoning (the ability to picture an object that is not present.). Egocentrism starts out strong in early childhood, but weakens. Magical beliefs are constructed. Between 4-7 years of age the child develops intuitive thought (the use of primitive reasoning skills and wondering "why"). Starting school is a major landmark for children this age.

• As children seek greater autonomy, temper tantrums sometimes appear, though often subside with age. Discipline and style of parenting is an important developmental influence.
• The child develops a sense of self around the end of the second year.
• Initiative appears: the child starts making things happen.
• Conscience appears: the child knows right from wrong and is often afraid of being caught doing something wrong.
• Gender identity develops through biological and social influences. Social influences include parents, peers and media sources.
• Morality develops, influenced by role models. Peer relations develop, children often want to dress, talk and act like their friends.
• Social development of a child in the early childhood stage is influenced by type of parenting, economic status of the family and family structure.
• Play is important. There are different types of play.

In these two drawings you can see how a child's perception changes with age. The drawing on the left is a two-year-old's version of a cat, while the drawing on the right is a five-year-old's version of a cat.

For more information on early childhood and some fun, check out these sites!

ParenTalk Newsletter offers a variety of articles about preschoolers. A great resource! Children's Television Workshop offers tons of information, links, and fun.


Physical Domain

Nutrition and mealtime

Children's Health News

Cognitive Domain

Early childhood education links
Parent education resources

Social Domain

Temperament
Critical issues and child advocacy
Television: How Much is Too Much?
National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect

Fun Links
Winnie the pooh.

The never ending tale.

Parent Soup Chat - get online and chat with other parents about all sorts of things!!

Preschool Teacher Ideas