Insights into Four- and Five-Year-Olds
Intellectual Growth and Engagement
As children enter this stage of life, they are becoming more intellectually curious. They are learning how to write and read, and they are beginning to understand the concept of numbers: counting, adding, and subtracting. While four- and five-year-olds love to sit, listen, and learn, they are not able to stay at one task for very long. It is important to vary the activities to keep the children’s interest.
Bridge the Developmental Gap
There can be a large developmental gap between a four-year-old and a five-year-old. A child of four will not be able to do the same things that a five-year-old can do, and they may become frustrated trying. At the same time, a child of five may finish an activity quickly and become bored while waiting for others to finish. It is important to be conscious of time during an activity. You may need to help the four-year-old by doing some of the more difficult steps with them, thus helping all the children to feel successful.
Offer Choices
While there is a definite structure to the class, be sure to allow choices during the pre-class and post-class activities. Have a variety of materials available for the children to choose from. Choices are also an important key to communicating with a preschooler. When you find yourself in conflict with a child, it is important to give two choices: one which is what the child should do and one which is either the consequence or a way for the adult to help. For instance, if a child takes a toy from a friend and refuses to give it back, the adult should give a choice: “Either you can give the toy back to your friend, or I can give it back for you. Which do you choose?” After the child chooses, also give them a gentle reminder to share.
Giving children choices helps them not only to be independent but also to take responsibility for their actions. It helps a classroom to run smoothly as you and the children work together to resolve conflict. There is also far less struggle for power and control, something that the child clearly wants but that you need to possess and maintain.
Eager Sponges
It is important to understand that although these children are very young, they are quite capable of learning. In fact, they are very much like sponges, eagerly soaking up all that they can.
Other Pointers
- Speak to children on their level physically. Most adults are a great deal taller than preschoolers, which can be very intimidating to small children. Sit, bend down, or kneel when addressing them.
- Use short, concise sentences. This is especially important when you are giving directions. It is often best to give one direction at a time. For example, when making a craft, say: “First, put the glue on the paper. Good. Now, put the cotton on the glue.”
- Speak positively as much as possible. You will get much better responses from the children. For instance, if a young child is running, say to him, “Use walking feet” instead of saying, “No running.” This creates a much more positive atmosphere with less frustration for both the children and the teachers.
- Give choices when disciplining a child. For example, say: “You have a choice: You can sit with us and listen, or you can sit in a ‘time out.’ Which do you choose?” As discussed earlier, this allows children to take responsibility for their actions and helps them to make the right choice.
- Wear nice-looking, comfortable clothes. This will keep you from looking “stiff and formal.” It causes the parents (and the children) to feel that you are ready for interactive teaching, which involves a lot of movement. It also shows that they are important enough for you to dress nicely when teaching them.
- Spend lots of time sitting on the floor and playing with the children. This will help you not only to keep order but also to gain the respect of the children. Playing with them on their level shows them that they are valuable to you.