Feelings and behaviour Show Preschoolers also like to be around people. Your child might want to please and be like preschool-age friends. Imaginary friends could be important to your child too. As part of getting along with others, you might hear your child saying sorry, agreeing to rules and being pleased when good things happen to other people. When it comes to cooperating, your child is likely to be more helpful, but sometimes they might still be demanding. By the time your child is 5 years old, they’ll probably have more control over their behaviour and fewer temper tantrums. Your child might feel anxious about starting school. Talking to your child about this and even visiting the school together can help to ease any worries. In this year, your child might hide the truth about things sometimes, or even start telling lies. For example, they might say ‘I didn’t do it’ even when they did. This is a normal part of preschooler development. Playing and learning When it comes to play, your child likes to sing, dance and act. Your child also loves make-believe play and is learning the difference between fantasy and reality. Your child is more aware of their gender and might want to play gender-based games – for example, boys might want to play at being ‘Dad’. Your child might also try different roles and behaviour, like being a doctor or getting married. Your child might be very curious about bodies – their own and other people’s. For example, you might find your child looking at their own and other children’s genitals. A combination of natural curiosity and role-playing is usually a normal part of childhood sexual behaviour. But if you’re concerned about a child’s sexual behaviour, it’s a good idea to talk with a GP, a paediatrician or another qualified health professional. Thinking Talking At 4 years, preschoolers know hundreds of words and can use 5-6 words or more in sentences. You can understand what your child is saying all the time. By 5 years, preschoolers can speak more clearly and will know, understand and use even more words, often in more complex sentences of up to 9 words. Daily life Moving Your child might also develop some new gross motor skills – for example, skipping, jumping backwards or jumping while running. Your child’s fine motor skills are improving too. Your child can cut with child-safe scissors and write their first name and some letters. Your child might also be able to draw a circle and make detailed drawings of people with body parts and clothes. Helping preschooler development at 4-5 yearsHere are some simple things you can do to help your child’s development at this age:
You might want to think about sending your child to preschool. At preschool your child can learn through play, make friends, and develop responsibility, independence and confidence. Preschool can support and encourage your child’s amazing development – and it can be a lot of fun too. Parenting a preschooler at 4-5 yearsAs a parent, you’re always learning. It’s OK to feel confident about what you know. And it’s also OK to admit you don’t know something and ask questions or get help. When you’re focused on looking after a child, you might forget or run out of time to look after yourself. But looking after yourself physically, mentally and emotionally will help your child grow and thrive. Sometimes you might feel frustrated, upset or overwhelmed. It’s OK to take some time out until you feel calmer. Put your child in a safe place, or ask someone else to look after your child for a while. Try going to another room to breathe deeply, or call a family member or friend to talk things through. Never shake a young child. It can cause bleeding inside the brain and likely permanent brain damage. It’s OK to ask for help. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the demands of caring for your child, call your local Parentline. You might also like to try our ideas for dealing with anger, anxiety and stress. When to be concerned about child development at 4 yearsSee your child and family health nurse or GP if you have any concerns or notice that your 4-year-old has any of the following issues. Seeing, hearing and communicating
Behaviour and play
Movement and motor skills
When to be concerned about child development at 5 yearsSee your child and family health nurse or GP if you notice your 5-year-old has any of the following issues. Seeing, hearing and communicating
Behaviour and play
Movement and motor skills
You should see a child health professional if at any age your child experiences a noticeable and consistent loss of skills. Children grow and develop at different speeds. If you’re worried about whether your child’s development is ‘normal’, it might help to know that ‘normal’ varies a lot. But if you still feel that something isn’t quite right, see your child and family health nurse or GP. |