- Brains grow fast. Read and talk to the child.
- Will need to learn to toilet at own speed.
- All teeth will be in by three years of age.
- Need to move a lot to grow and learn.
- May move fast and want to touch everything.
Preschoolers (age 3-5)
- Brain more developed, want to learn
- Bones harder
- Can walk with more control and balance.
Toys for your Toddler
For large muscles:
- Push and pull toys--play wagons, wheel barrows, grocery cart,
lawn mower
- Sit and ride toys
- Large boxes for crawling For small muscles: - Dolls to dress
- Picture books
- Toy instruments
- Pots and pans with lids to bang, plastic measuring cups
- Stacking blocks, hammering pegs, large piece puzzles
- Paper and crayons
Toys for your preschooler
Large Muscles:
- Playground climbing equipment
- Peddle riding toys
- Swings, tunnels, see saws Small Muscles: - Balls
- Blocks
- Clay, crayons, drawing paper
- Books, puzzles
Other activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers to
learn
- Learn to dress self
- Learn to feed self
- Learn to wash and dry hands and face
- Learn to comb or brush own hair
- Learn to put away toys
- Learn to do small chores (dump trash, load dishwasher, set
or wipe table)
How can you help your child develop physical abilities?
1. Watch your child. Watch all five senses. Does your
child follow 1-2 simple directions? Can the child jump, skip,
hop, turn, crawl under, over, through?
2. Watch how your child feeds and dresses himself. How can
you help him or her be successful? Can you lay out the clothes,
use child-sized cups and plates.
3. Play with your child at least 30 minutes each day using
large and small muscles.
4. Ask open-ended questions to encourage talking while playing. "What
could we do next?" "How does that work?" Let
their creative ideas lead play.
5. Make a list of simple chores. Take time to teach each chore.
Make it fun. Make a picture chart as a reminder of each chore
(teeth, bed, trash)
6. Look at your child's play things. Does he/she have things
that make large and small muscles stronger?
7. Make a list of emergency telephone numbers. Keep number
near your phone.
8. Check your home to be sure it is safe and medicines and
poisons are up high.
9. Check your child's play toys for broken parts.
10. Make sure you have a first aid kit for minor cuts and
burns.
