A Parent’s Guide to Early Childhood Development and How T is for Tot Supports Them

Who is a preschooler? What is the typical development for preschoolers? What are common milestones for this age group? Why are the early childhood years so important and how can you support your child’s development?

A preschooler is defined as a child between the ages of 3-5 years old. This stage of development is part of the early childhood years. The American Academy of Pediatrics describes this stage as “a period of rapid brain and body development. In the first few years of life, more than 1 million new neural connections are formed every second (Center for Developing Child).” This is the stage in which young children typically actively explore the world around them and gain new knowledge and understanding about it through their environment at home and abroad. Therefore, the things we decide to do with children in their early years are highly valuable and important. American Academy of Pediatrics also states, Early childhood is a pivotal period of child development that begins before birth through age 8. The experiences and opportunities offered in early childhood lay the foundation for how children grow, learn, build relationships, and prepare for school.

How can you support your child’s development during these critical years? How can resources like T is for Tot subscription box encourage growth in your child’s development?

Let’s take a close look at common preschool milestones and how T is for Tot encourages children’s development in language, social/emotional, cognitive, and physical development.

Language Development | 3 year olds

• Engages in conversation with at least two back-and-forth exchanges
• Begins to ask who, what, why, where, and why questions
• Describes an action in a story
• Speaks well and can be understood most of the time

Language Development | 4 year olds

• Speaks in 4 to 5 word sentences
• Talks about at least one thing that happened during the day
• Answers simple questions

Language Development | 5 year olds

• Answers basic questions about a story
• Recognizes basic rhyming words
• Converses with more than three exchanges

T is for Tot Language Connection Tip: One of the easiest ways to enhance your child’s language development is by asking open-ended questions like “What do you see? Or  What does it feel like?”  Each activity in the T is for Tot makes it easy for children to interact and respond to what they are experiencing. For example, in the Human Body Kit, as your child is exploring the lung activity you can ask questions like “What is happening?” or at bedtime or during meal times, ask reflection questions such as “Which T is for Tot activity was favorite? What activity do you want to do tomorrow?” Lastly, with every material that your child picks up from the T is for Tot box, ask them, “What do you think this is?” before telling them. You can make it rhyming game-like by saying, “Is this a hook? Or a cook?” while playfully teaching the words that rhyme with the book or with any other material in the box.

Social/Emotional Development | 3 years old

• Recognizes other children and joins play with them
• Can calm himself down within 10 minutes

Social/Emotional Development | 4 years old

• Engages in pretend play
• Request to play with other children
• Enjoys being a helper
• Avoids danger

Social/Emotional Development | 5 years old

• Takes turns and follows directions
• Participates in singing, dancing, and acting
• Can do simple chores around the home

T is for Tot Connection Tip: Playtime can be so much more enriching when young children play with someone. Consider planning a play date or playing with your child as they engage in pretend play like role-playing the doctor in the Human Body Kit or perhaps being the patient. Another connection activity is practicing taking turns with the materials in the kit like the x-rays or exercise. You can also have specific “helper jobs” with your T is for Tot roles like “Tot helper” in which your child would help with cleaning up materials, or if they have siblings, they would be the first to decide which activity the family does first. Another way to support children’s social/emotional development is by making up a song and dance like this,

It’s T for Tot time, (point to wrist)

It’s T for Tot time, (point to wrist)

Hi, Ho, oh did you know, (Alternate right and left arm back and forth)

It’s T for Tot time, (point to wrist)

Finally, before starting any activity, it is important to always clearly state the expectations or the safety rules. This will make children learn the importance of following rules to avoid dangerous situations.

Cognitive and Physical Development | 3 year olds

• Imitates drawing a circle
• Resists touching hot things

Cognitive and Physical Development | 4 year olds

• Identifies a few colors
• Knows the order of sequence in a familiar story
• Draws a person with three or more body parts

Cognitive and Physical Development | 5 year olds

• Counts up to 10
• Accurately names numbers 1-5
• Writes some letters in name
• Names some letters in the alphabet
• Utilizes words related to time such as “yesterday” or “tomorrow

T is for Tot Connection Tip:  When using the Human Body Kit, children are encouraged to write their names and make other dictations as they role-play the doctor. Additional ways to support your child’s cognitive and physical development using the T is for Tot subscription box is by asking questions like “How many items do you think are in the box?” or “What colors do you see?” every time you open a box. You could also enhance your preschooler’s cognitive development by reading the book more than once, and incorporating the story throughout the month, though challenging. Another way to enhance your child’s cognitive development is by reading the book inside of the box over and over again and then asking your child to retell or share the story.

It’s important to always remember that all children develop at different paces, but when enriching activities are placed in front of them like T is for Tot subscription, it can help progress their development. If you are ever concerned with your child’s development, it is important to follow up with their pediatrician or early childhood professional. Which preschool milestone or T is for Tot connection tip did you find most helpful?

References Early Childhood AAP