Preparing Children for School

It is very important that parents prepare their children for school. One important thing you can do to help prepare them is read to them. This helps them by teaching them some words and sounds that they can say. You should also give them simple responsibilities. This gets them in the habit of doing something regularly and will help them at school. A third thing you can do is to let them do some things for themselves and let them try new things. Doing this will help them develop independence and help them when going to school when they will have to starting doing things for themselves.

My Top Ten Toddler Books

1. "Sheep in a Jeep" by Nance E. Shaw
2. "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle
3. "The Foot Book" by Dr. Seuss
4. "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss
5. "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" by Laura Joffe Numeroff
6. "Curious George" by Hans Augusto Rey
7. "Clifford, The Big Red Dog" by Norman Bridwell
8. "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss
9. "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak
10. "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" by Dr. Seuss

Inappropriate Behavior and Language

If a kid were to act or speak inappropriately while I were in charge of them, I would find out who or where they learned it. Then I would punish them and explain to them why they shouldn't do/say that. If it was something they said, I would tell them that it was a bad word and that they shouldn't say it. If it was something they did, I would tell them that it was not a good thing to do. I would try to get them to see that they shouldn't do it. Lastly, I would find out who taught them that and tell them to not say that or do that around little kids anymore.

Is Spanking Okay?

Experts say that spanking is not okay. They think that spanking children is wrong and could even be dangerous. Some believe that if you spank your child, it could teach them to fear you. It could also cause them to think that it is okay to use force to get your way. If this is true, then why do parents do it anyway. They believe that it is a good way to discipline your child. They think that it teaches them  that they are in control and that they should be listened to. 

To me, spanking is okay in some situations. If they do something that hurts other people or that can cause a major problem, they need to be spanked. Children that are spanked seem to do better in school and volunteer more. This is stated by http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/is_spanking_ok_calvin.html. Spanking teaches kids when it is okay to do something and when it is not. It isn't okay to when you are in public. Some people think its not okay to do it so it wouldn't be a good idea to spank them in public. I would talk to them while in public, then discipline them at home. To me, spanking is okay in some situations.

Discipline

If I were to discipline my child, I would spank them if I felt it was necessary. I would not do it in public, though. In public, I would probably pull them aside and explain why they need to behave. When we got home, I would put them on timeout and (depending on how bad they were) I might spank them.

Child Temper Tantrums

I think the way I would handle a child with a temper tantrum is to show them why it's wrong. I would tell them that everyone is watching them. I would tell them that we would be done soon and will be able to go home and play again. If they persisted with the tantrum, I would probably leave the store until they settled down enough for me to finish what I was doing. That is how I would handle a tantrum.

Three-Year-Olds

Physical Development of Three-Year-Olds

Gross-Motor Development

  Three-year-olds can:

  -throw, jump, and hop.

  -climb and descend stairs easily.

     -walk up stairs with alternating feet.

  -catch large balls.

  -will eventually be able to catch bouncing balls, too.

  -ride and steer tricycles.

  -walk heel-t-toe for four steps.

  -balance on one foot for up to eight seconds.

  -hop on one foot up to three times.

Fine-Motor Skills

  Three-year-olds can:

  -hold and work scissors.

  -cut along a line while staying within half an inch of the line.

  - have better drawing skills.

  -draw a copy of a shape shown to them.

  -enjoy drawing faces.

  -draw facial features (head, nose, eyes, and ears) in the correct place.

  -enjoy playing with blocks.

  -build small towers and construct simple puzzles.

Self-Help Skills

  Three-year-olds can:

  -do daily routines almost by themselves.

  -turn on and off the faucet, if they can reach it.

  -dress themselves and put shoes on without laces.

  -use knives safely and pour liquid from small pitchers.

  -almost have full control over toilet routines.

Cognitive Development of Three-Year-Olds

Language Comprehension Skills

  Three-year-olds can:

  -give you two objects upon request.

  -follow simple directions.

  -begin to understand pronouns.

  -ask more questions to learn.      

Expressive Language Skills

  Three-year-olds can:

  -use more than 900 words.

  -make four or five word sentences.

  -begin to understand the difference between past and present tense.

  -start to understand possessive nouns.

  -start to use question words, especially why and when.

  -frequently talk to themselves.

Math Readiness Skills

  Three-year-olds can:

  -start to understand concepts like full, more, less, smaller, and empty.

  -begin to learn how to count.

  -distinguish between one and many objects.

  -if you ask, they can give yo two objects.

Social-Emotional Development of Three-Year-Olds

Social Development

  Three-year-olds are:

  -eager to help others, especially adults.

  -learning new ways of showing concern for others.

  -playing with other children instead of next to them.

  -will share with others better than two-year-olds.

  -beginning to learn gender roles.

  -beginning to learn how to treat members of the opposite sex.

Emotional Development

  Three-year-olds are:

  -have strong visible emotions.

  -eager to please others.

  -develop control over their emotions.

  -less  likely to become frustrated because they are more capable.

  -more likely to get mad at objects instead of people.

  -beginning to develop self-concept.

  -less frightened of things they know but can be fearful of imagined dangers.

  -very affectionate and seek it in return.

  -learn to express their feelings by watching what adults around them.

  -often imitate your behavior.

Teaching Three-Year-Olds

      

 Three-year-olds are:

  -typically happy, sociable, and agreeable.

  -likely to accept your suggestions.

  -enjoy playing alone and in groups of two or three.

  -can introduce themes into their play.

  -supplies in the room will influence their dramatic play.

  -becoming increasingly independent.

  -need to do things for themselves and need encouragement.

  -need to feel that they can do things for themselves.