At my children's first parent teacher conference of the year we received a wonderful leaflet outlining common developmental characteristics of children. As an educator (of any kind) it is important to have a grasp of these stepping stones and stages as you work with children. As a parent it is important to have an understanding as well. It helps us measure typical behaviors and abilities and can allow us to recognize red flags when needed.
When you chose In Motion for your child's dance education, it is important to know that you chose a dance school that has a staff committed to teaching dance properly, teaches terminology, makes dance fun, provides structure, and is always educating themselves to be better teachers. In a continued effort to be well equipped to teach your children, understanding the social, cognitive, and of course physical stages of children is key.
Today I will share the characteristics of a 5 Year old. This information is "Adapted from Yardsticks - Children in the Classroom Ages 4-14" All text below is taken straight from the material...
"Five, overall, is a time of great happiness. Life is "good," says the five-year-old. Five is also a time of great change. During this one year, children may go from being cautious and compliant to uncertain and oppositional.
SOCIAL
- Early in the year, like to help, follow the rules, and be "good"
- Later, may test or oppose adult authority or show uncertainty (not sure whether to be "good" or naughty")
- Need consistent rules and enforcement; respond well to clear and simple expectations
- Need empathetic discipline as they test limits and make mistakes
PHYSICAL
- Better control of running, jumping, and other large movements
- Need lots of physical activity, including free play
- still awkward with writing, handcrafts, and other small movements
- early in the year, pace themselves well; later, tire quickly
- pencil grip changes from three-fingered to other grips
- able to see close objects best; not yet able to sweep focus smoothly from left to right
- read one word at a time
- copying from blackboard is hard
COGNITIVE
- see only one way to do things; rarely see other viewpoints
- imaginative and believe toys and other objects are alive
- think very literally ("raining cats and dogs" means cats and dogs are falling from the sky)
- often reverse letters and numbers
- early in the year, like to copy and repeat activities; later, like to try more new activities
- often think out loud before acting ("I'm going to move the truck")
- learn best by exploring materials such as blocks, clay, finger paints, rocks, and shells"
Provided by Responsive Classroom - A practical approach to creating safe, challenging, and joyful elementary classrooms and schools
