The preschool age is a golden period for children who need more attention. Not only requires great responsibility, but this period also requires parents to be smart in supporting the development of children and shaping their personalities.

Definition of preschool-age children

Preschool-age children are children aged 3-6 years. At this time, children have various kinds of potential. Your little one’s social and cognitive development has also improved to communicate better and have curiosity.

At preschool age (preschool), children are usually entered into kindergarten to receive early education before entering elementary school. The characteristics of preschoolers generally include the following aspects:

• Physical: Children’s muscles are stronger, and the growth of bones becomes hard and hard.
• Motor: Children can manipulate small objects and play with blocks of various sizes and shapes.
• Cognitive: Children are curious and skilled in the language.
• Emotional: Children can express themselves and feel envious and jealous.
• Social: Children can establish social contacts with people outside the home.

Preschoolers must develop their independence. Because, at this age, your little one will begin to enter a wider environment, namely kindergarten. So, he should not be overly dependent on his parents.

As a parent, you can start teaching some basic forms of independence, such as using the toilet and dressing.

The difference between preschool-age children and toddler age

Maybe some parents are still confused in distinguishing the term preschool age from toddler age. The two are certainly different. As previously mentioned, the meaning of preschool ranges from 3-to 6 years of age. Meanwhile, toddlers are children aged 1-3 years.

The development of toddler age children is also different from preschool-age children, including:

• Motor: Walking, running, self-feeding, drawing
• Language: Speak single words then sentences
• Social: Play with friends and take turns
• Cognitive: Begins to be able to match and sort shapes, images, or colors; and understand different shapes and sizes.

Unlike preschoolers who generally enter kindergarten, you can enroll toddler-age children into a playgroup or playgroup. However, make sure the age of the child is not too early.

How to support the development of preschoolers

Here are some tips that parents need to consider to help the development of preschoolers.

1. Provide a healthy environment for children

According to research, children at the age of 3-5 years will show their true personality. Therefore, parents need to be sensitive and responsive. Each child has its uniqueness.

So you shouldn’t be selfish by forcing them to be what you want them to be. Provide a healthy environment so that children can grow up to be good people.

2. Encourage children to play and practice independently

Play can be said to be one of the important factors to help the development of preschool children. In addition to physical, mental, and emotional.

By encouraging them to play actively, children will get many useful things. It starts by teaching them to socialize, be independent, resolve conflicts, and develop their imagination power.

3. Avoid labeling

The next tip to help preschoolers develop is to avoid labeling. Children will be much more sensitive in responding to various things in this golden period.

Therefore, if you want your child to grow more confident, avoid labels such as fat, stubborn, shy, and so on.

4. Set a good example

Parents are the first example children will imitate, so you need to set a good example.

Teach children to be polite, friendly to anyone, patient, and always share. That way, you can encourage your child’s development in a positive direction.

5. Let children develop into themselves

As discussed in the first point, parents should not be selfish and force children to be what they want. Let children make friends and enjoy the world in their way.

In addition, so that children become more developed, you can support the interests they want. Expand children’s experience so that they can gain more insight and knowledge.

6. Provide good nutrition

For the growth and development of preschool-aged children to run optimally, one thing that needs to be met is their nutritional needs.

Give children a variety of balanced nutritious foods consisting of staple foods, side dishes, fruits, and vegetables.

In addition, make sure your child is drinking enough water to keep his body properly hydrated.

7. Be patient in accompanying children

You certainly have to be wise in applying the way of parenting each child. For example, if the baby is sensitive and grumpy, be more patient and don’t force it.

In addition, parents are also not allowed to compare the existence of children with other people. The habit of comparing children can make children mentally fall.

Also, avoid punishment by using violence because it will negatively impact the child’s physical and mental health.

Activities to hone motor skills of preschoolers

Did you know that inviting children to do fun things daily can help improve their motor skills?

You can also hone your child’s motor skills by doing several simple activities. Some of the fun activities you can do with preschoolers include:

• Let the child help you prepare lunch or dinner
• Solve puzzles together
• Doing games that require dice
• Painting with finger
• Insert the rubber band into the outside of the drink can.

Tips for maintaining the health of preschoolers

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control, the CDC, here are some tips to help keep preschoolers healthy:

• Try to eat as often as possible with your child. Let them watch you enjoy fruit, vegetables, and whole grains at mealtimes and snacks.
• Limit the consumption of foods and beverages that contain added sugar, solid fat, or salt for children.
• Do not provide television in the rooms of preschoolers. Limit your child’s screen time to no more than an hour per day, and that’s only for quality programs, both at home and at school.
• Give your child age-appropriate exercise equipment, but let them choose what to play with, and it can motivate them to be active in a fun way.
• Make sure your child sleeps according to the recommended hours. For preschoolers (3-5 years), the required hours of sleep are 10-13 hours (including naps).

Article 7 best tips to support Preschool Age Development that you should know first show on Sumberita.com.

The child’s character also begins to form and develop into himself. Not infrequently, at this age, they often imitate their parents’ habits, ranging from movements, ways of speaking, habits, and others.

The ideal development of a 2-year-old toddler

In developing a 2-year-old toddler, there are several skills that parents must pay attention to. The following is a 2-year-old toddler’s growth and development based on several aspects.

1. Physical development of a 2-year-old toddler

Physical development includes weight and height. A 2-year-old baby generally gains 1.4 kilograms to 2.3 kilograms in a year.

For height, a boy aged two years should ideally have a height of about 82.5-93.3 cm. Meanwhile, girls will have a height of about 80-91.4 cm.

2. Motor development of a 2-year-old toddler

In terms of movement skills, the development of a 2-year-old toddler can be shown by:

• Kicking the ball
• Stand up
• tiptoe
• Go up and down stairs while holding on
• Throw the ball
• Bring a large toy
• Doodling carelessly
• Turn the container over and pour the contents
• Arrange four or more blocks.

Naturally, a 2-year-old toddler will improve motor skills by playing, running, climbing, jumping, etc.

Therefore, you should accompany children to play outside the house to maximize their movement skills.

3. Cognitive development of a 2-year-old toddler

The development of a 2-year-old toddler in cognitive aspects includes his ability to learn, think, and solve problems.

This development can be seen in various activities or daily activities of children, such as:

• Get to know shapes and colors
• Find hidden objects
• Start to pretend play, such as feeding a baby doll
• Selecting a picture in the book
• Can match shapes
• Able to carry out two instructions at almost the same time. For example, “Drink milk first, then you can play again.”
• Counting skills for toddlers aged two years also begin to develop. Begin to introduce the numbers 1-5 first, then 6-10.

4. Emotional and social development of toddlers aged two years

Social skills included in the development of toddlers aged two years are:

• Shows an attitude of independence
• Enjoys playing with other children
• Likes to imitate parents
• You can refuse if you don’t want to
• Pays attention when other people are upset or sad, such as looking sad when someone is crying
• Look into your face to see how to react in new situations
• Notifies when the diaper is full or needs to go to the bathroom
• Fear of certain things, such as loud noises, animals, or others.

Not only that, but tantrums are also part of the emotional development of a 2-year-old toddler.

At this age, tantrums are common as a way for children to see the extent to which boundaries apply to them.

However, toddlers aged two years generally do not know the concept of sharing. So if they don’t want to share toys, this is perfectly normal.

5. Language development of toddlers aged two years

Furthermore, the development of an ideal 2-year-old child can be seen in his language skills. Children at this age should be able to:

• Says the name of the object
• Recognizing the names of family members
• Say simple phrases
• Say sentences with 2-4 words
• Repeats words heard in conversation
• Perform simple commands
• Imitating the words of others.

However, you don’t have to worry if your child has not mastered some of these skills. This is because the speech development of a 2-year-old toddler is generally different.

In addition, boys tend to start speaking more slowly than girls.

You can talk to him often, read a book, or tell him bedtime stories.

Has your child shown signs of development of a 2-year-old toddler as above? Hopefully, they can grow and develop optimally.

2-year-old developmental delay

The development speed of toddlers aged two years may differ for each individual. However, some signs can indicate developmental delays.

Consult a doctor if your child shows any of the following:

• They can’t run or always walk on tiptoe
• They can’t speak yet or only makes vowels without consonants
• Does not express emotions, for example, happy or sad, in response to other people
• Rarely make eye contact
• Unable to follow simple instructions
• Do not imitate the actions or words of those around him
• they can’t remember the skills he used to have.

The doctor will conduct further examination of the child’s condition and detect possible problems that may occur.

Tips for supporting the development of 2-year-olds

The process of learning and playing for a 2-year-old toddler is important. For that, parents need to balance these two things.

In supporting the growth and development of toddlers aged two years, here are the steps you can take.

• Provide children with healthy and nutritionally balanced food
• Inviting children to play actively, for example, running in the yard, playing with blocks, or throwing a ball
• Shows affection and attention to children
• Ensuring children get enough sleep
• Encourage children to do everyday skills, such as using a spoon or putting on their own shoes.
• It gives children the opportunity to play with other children
• Tells children about object names
• Reading fairy tales to children
• Limit screen time, such as television or cellphones.

Article The development of a 2-year-old toddler is mandatory for parents first show on Sumberita.com.