Physically and mentally
• Likes helping around the house
• Carries large toys
• Pedals easily on tricycle
• Holds pencil/ crayon/ paintbrush comfortably
• Adds details to drawings e.g. fingers and toes to people, windows and doors to houses
• Understands and remembers routines e.g. brushes teeth before going to bed
Language and emotions
• Asks difficult questions e.g. about death, where babies come from etc
• Knows colours and shapes
• Relates and describes what he/ she saw or did in more legible sentences e.g. “Today, I painted a tree in school. It was purple and orange.”
• Writes select letters of the alphabet and numbers clearly
• Reads and writes own name
• May read beginner level picture or storybooks aloud
Feeding
Your child is now able to eat quite independently and without making too much of a mess. He/ she also knows how not to choke on larger pieces of food or fruit. However, because accidents can still happen, never leave an eating child unsupervised for long periods.
Sleep
At this age, children normally sleep for 10 to 12 hours.
Ideal toys for this age
• Action figures/ toy robots with moving parts
• Remote-control airplanes, cars etc
• Role-play sets and accessories
• Simple board games
• Early-learning computer games
Useful tips
Although your child might be fond of age-appropriate video or computer games, don’t forget exercise. Outdoor activities such as badminton, swimming and football build confidence, strengthen growing muscles and improve overall coordination.
At 4.5 to 5 years
|
Most likely, your child has now acquired a very important skill — good balance. Your once apprehensive young one is now ready to take any playground by storm.
|
| |
|
What your child might do:
|
| |
| |
Physically and mentally
• Climbs up slide/ monkey bars
• Does front and backward rolls
• Learns to dance, swim, skate, play piano etc. when taught
• Any new activity keeps him/ her engrossed for longer periods of time
• Cuts with scissors
• May be able to cartwheel
Language and emotions
• Learns to take other people’s feelings into account
• Makes friends on his/ her own
• Writes more legibly
• Reads beginner level picture or storybooks aloud
• May be able to spell simple words
Feeding
Thanks to messages from the mass media, your child may suddenly feel anxious about becoming fat. Although this is a perfect time to teach your child about healthy eating, do reassure your child about his/ her looks to maintain positive self-esteem.
Ideal toys for this age
• Child-friendly camera
• Toy binoculars/ telescope
• Musical instruments
• Simple board and card games
• Storybooks
Useful tips
Don’t despair if your child still hasn’t learnt to read. Keep reading to him/ her at least once each day, making sure to point out and explain difficult words. You can also use the “I say, you say, we say” method to reinforce how words sound.
|
| |
|
|
