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Although no two children are exactly alike, distinct development patterns can be observed in your children aged 2 - 6 years old. These patterns are broadly outlined here to help you understand the age-group characteristics and be more effective in your parenting. |
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| The Trying 2s |
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Negativism
"No, No, No….!" is a very common response for children at this age (to everything parents ask them to do). |
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Temper Tantrums
Two-year-olds who don't get their way throw tantrums very quickly, but get over them very quickly too. |
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Great Curiosity
They test things, taste them, press them and squeeze them. So don't leave anything harmful lying around. |
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Possessiveness And Destructiveness
Children at 2 definitely do not like to share their things and can get rough with toys when asserting their ownership. They also like to investigate everything, so toys should not be easily broken or torn apart. |
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Tips For Handling 2-Year-Olds
This may seem like a trying period but there is really no need to be overly concerned. Two-year-olds are at a stage of exploring the world around them and are trying to master skills on their own. They seek to achieve autonomy and to satisfy their curiosity. Thus, when they are frustrated, they give vent to outbursts of tantrums and anger. |
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Try The Following :
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Provide lots of opportunity for exploration in their environment. Supply playthings they can touch, press and taste. Furnish them with toys that stimulate creativity and encourage exploration. |
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Distract the child when he is frustrated by providing alternative activities. Or give a hand if he can't cope with a certain task. |
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Provide durable toys that are not easily broken |
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Make a game out of the task you want him to do if the child responds with a "No!" | | |
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| The Trusting 3s |
| Anxious To Please
Children conform readily at this age because they like to please adults to get approval and acceptance. |
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Cooperative
They enjoy following instructions and working with other children. They also like to share now, because they are very interested in other people. |
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Very Energetic
They are on the go almost every minute of the day and tire themselves out easily. |
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Highly Imaginative
They live in a world of make-believe and are not yet able to distinguish between the real and the imaginary. They will believe you if you tell them that the big, black dog is a bear. |
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Tips For Handling 3-Year-Olds
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Praise the child for work well done, for obeying and for helping out |
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Provide active games and fun for the child, but be sure to give him rest periods throughout the day |
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Provide time and materials for imaginative play. Play "Guess where I am hiding", and "Can you be a bear?" games with the child. |
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Arrange cooperative activities for the child and his siblings, and with neighbouring children |
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Reward him for working together with others | | |
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| The Frustrating 4s |
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Inquisitive
This is the age of many questions. Even when answers are given, the 4-year-old continues to ask "Why?" |
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Talkative
Because of their increasing capacity for language, children now tend to talk incessantly. This can often frustrate and wear out the adults! |
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Emotionally Unpredictable
At 4, children can and often burst into laughter and tears at the same time! There are also sudden bouts of anger but the squalls are over quickly. |
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Lively And Sociable
Full of energy and life, they enjoy being with other people now! |
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High Motor Drive
The swings, the monkey-bars, the jungle gym, cycling….Their need for muscular movement drives 4-year-olds to constant activities. |
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Tips For Handling 4-Year-Olds
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Encourage the child to ask questions. If you don't have the answer, find out the answer together with the child by looking up an encyclopedia, visiting the local library etc. |
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Encourage lots of large motor skill activities. Allow them to climb, swing, ride a bicycle, jump etc. Be sure to take safety precautions. |
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Talk to your child, read to your child. Build his vocabulary skills. Allow him to participate in your conversations. |
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Provide opportunities for the child to have social activities. Let him invite friends home for a party, or have a popcorn night. | | |
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| The Fascinating 5s |
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Language Skills
As they are good in language skills now, children love to talk, tell stories and quiz adults. |
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High Initiative
Five-year-olds are usually the first to start a conversation or to try new things. |
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Vigorous And Noisy Group Games
Noisy and vigorous, these children enjoy games and play in groups of their own age. |
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Need for Approval
The approval of being "good boy" or "good girl" is all-important at this stage, so there is a definite desire to probe and cooperate with both parents and teachers. |
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Sense of Responsibility
They feel "grown-up" when they perform little tasks and duties and are always eager to help mum and dad do things like setting the table or washing the car. |
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Tips For Handling 5-Year-Olds
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Plan time for conversation with your child. Read stories together. Encourage them to tell stories or share jokes with one another. |
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Recognise good work and reward them appropriately |
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Organise games for them and do encourage them to join in group games. Put TV watching aside and get them out for the exercise they need. |
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Provide children with responsibilities in the home such as setting the table, drying dishes, picking up toys etc. | | |
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| The Sociable 6s |
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Short Attention Span
Easily distracted, children at this age cannot concentrate for long on any one task. |
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Highly Active And Restless
Fidgety and restless, 6-year-olds have so much energy that they simply can't sit still. They are always engaged in active play like running, jumping and tugging. |
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Eager To Learn
They take an interest in everything around them, from wriggly worms to stars in the sky. Reading books, enacting stories and watching cartoons are high on their list of favourite activities. |
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Highly Competitive
They are keen to compete in games and play and are very sensitive about their performance. |
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Strong Gender Affinity
There is a strong preference for friends and playmates of the same sex at this stage. |
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Tips For Handling 6-Year-Olds
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Develop in your child an interest in nature. Encourage him to collect seashells, rocks etc. Stop to look at a worm together. |
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Introduce lots of books, tapes, songs and educational videos to your child. |
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Allow time for outdoor activities and things that hold his interests. |
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Teach your child how to play and compete in group games. Emphasise the values of group effort, team spirit and having a good time rather than the importance of winning. | | |
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Reproduced from the "Understanding Your Child's Development Patterns" pamphlet by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports. |
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