Jerry is visiting his daughter’s class at preschool today, and what he sees concerns him. The children are loud and active. Some are building towers with blocks, some are playing with puppets, and others are cutting out shapes from colored paper. Everyone seems to be having a good time, but are they learning anything with all this play? How on earth will they be ready for kindergarten next year? Jerry worries that his four-year-old, Amanda, might not be ready to read and write. Should he tutor her at home?
Many parents worry about their children’s education, and a few even put intense pressure on their very young children to read, write, and do math problems. In fact, Amanda and the other children in her class are doing exactly what they need to do to prepare for “real” school. Having well-developed motor skills is key to learning to read and write successfully. So all that play IS learning.
In this lesson, you will learn about the physical development of children from ages 4 to 6 years, including motor-skill development. You will also learn about the nutritional needs and identify ways children this age can begin to take care of themselves
