As the child approaches preschool age, they’re more active and curious than ever. Following are some ways in which you can introduce them to new experiences and help them improve their skills
Cognitive Skills
- Sorting Games
Sorting different types of toys and blocks, of various shapes and colors helps your child notice similarities and differences and equips them with basic logical skills. If they seem ready for an additional challenge, have them sort the items in multiple steps, like colors first and then by shape. You can raise the bar even higher by asking your kids to sort all square yellow blocks, red circles and so on. Make sure you try to make the process fun and don’t expect the child to do it perfectly
- Puzzles
Get your child some jigsaw puzzles of up to five pieces and encourage them to try and place them correctly
- Reasoning
A child may be highly curious at this age as they try to understand the reasons behind ‘how’ things work and ‘why’ they exist the way they do. Your answers to your child’s questions can be simple and intuitive. Its completely okay to tell your child that you don’t know the answer to a particular question of theirs, and that you need to think about it and get back to them. You might even suggest doing some research together.
- Electronics
Children’s exposure to electronics should be limited which includes TV, computers and other devices. Though they’re engaging and fun, they limit your child’s activity which should include face to face interactions with real people and tactile experiences with toys and surroundings
Motor Skills
- Balancing
At this age, balance is one of the budding skills. See if your kid can stand on one foot longer or hop farther
- Simple Ball Games
Provide your 3-year old kid with a variety of kid friendly balls. They should enjoy throwing, kicking and catching at this age
- Patience
As a parent, try not to show fear, alarm or fussing over the kid’s tumbles and scrapes. They are an important and inevitable part of building coordination and spatial awareness, and teaches the kid on how to make better judgements
- Blocks and Building Toys
At this age, the hand eye coordination of the child reaches a level that allows them to place objects with impressive precision. This skill should be fine-tuned and practiced further
- Art Projects
Projects that involve craft tools, paper collages, clay sculptures, painting etc can be especially fun for your child
Communication
- Descriptors
When you refer to a person, for example- That grown up woman is a cashier, the child learns how all three words, ‘grown-up’, ‘woman’ and cashier are referring to the same person
- Ask Descriptive Questions
Ask questions that do not have a simple ‘yes or no’ answer. For instance, ‘what do you want to wear today’ instead of ‘do you want to wear this shirt’
- Story Hours
Even your 3-year old might be interested in story hours conducted in libraries and bookstores of there are props, puppets or characters featuring. You can also pick out books to read together with your child
- Storytelling
Create your own stories that features your child as the main character in a great adventure, and nightly instalments at bedtime. You can even encourage their participation
Social
- Use of words
Encourage your child to use words and language to express their feelings. This is a simple way to remind them not to lash out by hitting or yelling
- Roleplay
A parent should take active participation in fantasy plays with their children, whether it involves princesses, pirates or superheroes. Through this, a 3-year-old can work out sophisticated social issues and relationships
- Aggression
If your child hits or throws things in anger, hold her firmly yet calmly, so she can regain control of her emotions. Let her know that what she’s doing isn’t acceptable. When she’s calm, you can talk about other ways she might vent anger and frustration, such as pounding a pillow, running around the yard, and expressing feelings with words
- Affection
Give lots of hugs to your child and foster that sense of security
