Module 15-17
Module 15-17
Module 15-17
The Preschool years is commonly known as the years before formal schooling begins. It roughly
covers 3-5 years of age.
At around 3 years of age, preschoolers move from the remaining baby-like features of the
toddler toward a more slender appearance of a child. The trunk, arms and legs become longer.
The center of gravity refers to the point at which body weight is evenly distributed. Toddlers
have their center of gravity at a high level, about the chest level. This is why they have difficulty
doing sudden movements without falling down. Preschoolers on the other hand, have their
center of gravity at a lower level, right about near the belly button. This gives them more ability
to be stable and balanced that the toddler.
By the time the child reaches three years old, all primary or deciduous, or what are also called
baby or milk teeth are already in place. The permanent teeth which will begin to come out by
age six are also developing. The preschool years are therefore a time to instill habits of good
dental hygiene.
Gross motor development refers to acquiring skills that involve the large muscles. These groas
motor skills are categorized into three:
o Locomotor skills – are those that involve going flrom one place to another like walking,
running, climbing, skipping, hopping, creeping, galloping and dodging.
o Non-locomotor skills – are those where the child stays in place like bending, stretching,
turning, and swaying.
o Manipulative skills – are those that involve projecting and receiving objects like
throwing, striking, bouncing, catching and dribbling.
Fine motor development refers to acquiring the ability to use the smaller muscles in the arm,
hand and fingers purposefully. Some of the skills included here are picking, squeezing, pounding
and opening things, holding and using a writing implement.
Viktor Lowenfeld studied the preschooler’s artistic development and came up with the stages
of drawing in early childhood.
o Stage 1: Scribbling stage – this stage begins with large zig zag lines which later become
circular markings
o Stage 2: Preschematic stage – may already include early representations. At this point
adults may be able to recognize the drawings.
o Stage 3: Schematic stage – more elaborate scenes are depjcted. Children usually draw
from experience and exposure.
It is important for preschoolers to get sufficient amount of rest and sleep. Preschoolers benefit
from about 10-12 hours of sleep each day. It is when they are asleep that vital biological
processes that affect physical and cognitive development take place.
MODULE 16
Cognitive Development of Preschoolers
MODULE 17
Socio-Emotional Development of the Preschooler