Developmental Milestones: Preschoolers Flashcards
How many pounds/year on average does a preschooler gain?
4.5 lbs
How many inches/year on average does a preschooler gain?
3 inches
What age range defines a preschooler?
3-6 years
What is the expected gross motor skillset for a preschooler?
balancing/hopping on one foot, skipping, climbing
-gross motor skills should be well established
What is the expected fine motor skillset for a preschooler?
pincer grasp to hold and use writing utensils, using scissors
What are two cognitive development principles exhibited by preschoolers?
–transductive reasoning
–centration
What is transductive reasoning?
An illogical thinking pattern in which incorrect cause-and-effect inferences are made of independent events.
Example: A preschooler hears a dog bark, and then a balloon pops. The preschooler assumes that the dog barking caused the balloon to pop.
What is centration?
A thinking pattern in which a child may focus on only one aspect of a situation, but will disregard other relevant aspects of the situation.
Example: A child is served one large piece of cake, while the child’s friend is served two smaller pieces of cake. The amount of cake is the same for both children. The child becomes upset because they have fewer pieces of cake, despite each child having the same amount.
What stage of Piaget’s cognitive development is a preschooler expected to be in?
Preoperational stage (ages 2 to 7)
Preschoolers exhibit egocentrism. What is egocentrism?
Egocentrism is the assumption that everyone thinks and feels exactly as the self does. This inability to understand different points of view generally resolves by the end of the preoperational stage, and is not a selfish point of view; rather, it is an ignorant one.
Example: A child assumes that their comfort object must comfort others exactly how it comforts themselves, so the child offers someone who appears sad their comfort object.
Preschoolers exhibit magical thinking. What is magical thinking?
Magical thinking is a belief that thoughts, words or actions of the self can influence events.
Example: A child believes that they grew taller because they had wished to grow taller on their birthday.
Preschoolers exhibit animism. What is animism?
Animism is the belief that inanimate objects can have human feelings or characteristics.
Example: A child brings their doll everywhere to prevent making the doll feel lonely.
Preschoolers engage in dramatic play. What is dramatic play?
Dramatic play is the acting out of human life in a play setting.
Example: A child pretends to be a police officer, maintaining order among their toys.
What stage of Erikson’s psychosocial development are preschoolers expected to be in?
Initiative VS. Guilt
What thinking patterns do preoperational children exhibit?
Adaptation:
—assimilation: using existing knowledge to deal with a new situation
—accommodation: changing existing knowledge to accommodate a new situation
—equilibration: the gradual assimilation of information over time
Magical thinking:
—belief that the thoughts or beliefs of oneself can influence events
Egocentrism:
—the inability to understand other points of view besides those of oneself
Animism:
—the personification of inanimate objects
Dramatic play:
—enactment of human life in a play setting
What does successful initiative look like in a preschooler according to Erikson’s psychosocial theory?
Children learn emotional regulation and impulse control, self-confidence, cooperation/collaboration with others in Initiative vs. Guilt.
Examples: Allowing a child choice whenever possible allows them to feel as if they have initiative.
A child’s questions are met with appropriate and understandable answers.
What does unsuccessful initiative (guilt) look like in a preschooler according to Erikson’s psychosocial theory?
Shaming a child for showing initiative and withholding any control from them can instill guilt within the child.
Examples:
-A child shows desire to pick clothing to wear independently, but they are repeatedly prohibited from making that choice, or criticized for the choice that they do make.
-A child’s parents control the child’s environment and life closely, not allowing for independence in the child (suppressing initiative).
-A child begins to ask many questions in Initiative vs. Guilt. Ignoring or shaming the child’s questions instills guilt within the child.
What is expressive speech?
The ability to communicate thoughts/feelings through verbal and nonverbal language
What is impressive speech?
The ability to understand the communication of others
What are the three types of aggression?
Physical aggression, verbal aggression, relational aggression
What is relational aggression?
Indirect aggression aimed at tarnishing the reputation of others
Examples: spreading rumors, excluding others, giving “silent treatment”
What type of car seat is recommended for a preschooler?
Forward-facing car seat with five-point harness
When can children sit in the back seat with seatbelt (no carseat)?
When they are both between ages 8-12 AND at least 4’9”
At what age is the passenger seat an okay placement for a child?
13 years old or older
