Thursday, February 3, 2011

We are starting a playgroup called Thamsanqa Toddlers.

I was wondering where I should put this information about 3 year olds that I have given to the staff and volunteers who are going to start the Thamsanqa Toddlers. I feel that many  parents will enjoy information on three year olds.
Our plan is to provide in their needs and go beyond!!!
 
Thamsanqa Toddlers. Information to caregivers.

To the staff at Thamsanqa Toddlers:
We want to nurture, care for and stimulate the children in our care. 

The 3-4 year-old is full of wonder and spends a lot of time watching, observing, and imitating. Their days are filled with busy exploration of their world.

Three-year-olds are interested in perfecting motor skills, and it is common for them to spend the entire morning going down the slide or riding a favourite tricycle.

 
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
- weight: 15+ kilograms
- height: 34-43 inches +- 88cm
- develops a taller, thinner, adult-like appearance
- develops a full set of baby teeth
- needs approximately 1,300 calories daily
- sleeps 10-12 hours at night
- sleeps through most nights without wetting the bed (occasional
accidents are still quite common)
- uses the toilet with some help (many boys may not be ready for toilet
learning until sometime during their third year)
- puts on shoes (but cannot tie laces)
- dresses self with some help (buttons, snaps, zippers)
- feeds self (with some spilling)
- tries to catch a large ball
- throws a ball overhead
- kicks a ball forward
- hops on one foot

- walks short distance on tiptoes
- climbs up and down a small slide by self
- pedals a tricycle
- walks on a line
- can stand, balance, and hop on one foot
- - can feed self with spoon and small fork; often butters bread with knife
- can use toilet independently
- can brush teeth, wash hands, get a drink
-
INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT
- talks so that 75 to 80 percent of his speech is understandable
- talks in complete sentences of 3-5 words. "Mommy is drinking juice.
There's a big dog."
- stumbles over words sometimes - usually not a sign of stuttering
- enjoys repeating words and sounds
- listens attentively to short stories and books
- likes familiar stories told without any changes in words

- enjoys listening to stories and repeating simple rhymes
- able to tell simple stories from pictures or books
- enjoys singing and can carry a simple tune. Repeat the same song every day even when you start with new songs go back to the old songs.
- understands "now, soon, and later"
- asks who, what, where, and why questions
- stacks 5-7 blocks
- enjoys playing with clay or play dough (pounds, rolls, and squeezes
it)
- can put together a 6-piece puzzle
- draws a circle and square
- recognizes common everyday sounds
- matches an object to a picture of that object
- identifies common colors such as red, blue, yellow, green
- can count 2-3 objects
- can solve problems if they are simple, concrete, real, and immediate,
and if wants to
- interested in similarities and differences
- can distinguish, match, and name colors
- interested in features of animals that make them unique
- has good self-knowledge; can understand difference between self and
younger children, but not between self and older children
- can say his age

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- seeks attention and approval of adults
- - accepts suggestions and follows simple directions
- - can make simple choices between two things
- enjoys making others laugh and being silly
- enjoys playing alone but near other children
- spends a great deal of time watching and observing
- enjoys playing with other children briefly, but still does not
cooperate or share well
- enjoys hearing stories about self
- enjoys playing "house"
- enjoys imitating other children and adults
- answers whether he is a boy or a girl
- expresses interest in ethnic identities of self and others if exposed
to a multicultural setting

IDEAS FOR CAREGIVERS
- Be patient with toileting. Many children (especially boys) will not be ready for toilet learning until after age 3. Accidents will happen for a while; treat accidents calmly and matter of factly. Avoid shaming a child.

- Encourage development of hand-eye coordination by providing large buttons or old beads to string on a shoe lace.

- Play ball - show children how to throw, catch, and kick balls of different sizes.

- Show children how to hop like a rabbit, tiptoe like a bird, waddle like a duck, slither like a snake, and run like a deer.

- Talk frequently with children; use short sentences, ask questions, and listen.

- Add new information to children's sentences. "Yes that's a flower
- it's a tall, red flower and it smells so good."

- Teach children to memorize first and last names.

- Provide books for children to read, and read the same books to them.
Read poetry and nursery rhymes. Encourage a child to repeat a story and discuss the ideas and events. Read titles and point to important words
on pages, packages, and street signs.


- Count objects of interest; for example cookies, cups, napkins, or
dolls. When possible, move one at a time as you and the children count.
Measure, and have children help measure and count as you follow a
recipe.


- Provide sets - toys and other objects that go together. Discuss
similarities and differences. For example, point out sequences in
cooking. Let children experiment with faucets, tools, light switches,
knobs, latches, and toys that come apart.

- Sing simple songs. Make simple rhythm instruments: oatmeal box or
coffee can drums, rattles of dry beans in a box, etc. Encourage a variety of body movements and dance to music of many kinds. Play musical games such as "London Bridge," "Ring-around-the-Rosie," and "Farmer in
the Dell."

- Encourage free expression in art projects. Avoid asking "what"
children are drawing. Three-year-olds may not know or care, but simply enjoy the process of drawing. Do not ask a child under 4 what they are drawing.
……………………………………………………………………
Uncooked play dough
1 cup of flour
1 cup of boiling water
2 tablespoons of vinegar
a half cup of salt
1 tablespoon of oil

Directions:
Simply mix all the ingredients together! Be careful as it can be quite hot.Use 3 drops of food colouring in each half a cup of dough.

Most playdough recipes are cooked, and here is one example.

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