8 tips on moving into the pre-school years

The period between 3 to 5 years old is a distinct time of growth and development for kids, a time for learning new skills and building their confidence.

Your toddler will be growing up day by day and will be a pre-schooler before you know it.

By understanding what’s coming up next in terms of their development you’ll be more prepared and the transition will be a little smoother for everyone.
 

1. Personalities

As toddlers turn into pre-schoolers, their personalities emerge more strongly. As they are exposed to more experiences, they have the opportunity to show who they really are.

You may find that your child’s sense of humour or perseverance or attention to detail reveals itself more deeply and in more situations.

If you have an anxious or sensitive child, you can continue to support them so their confidence begins to grow.
 

2. Tantrums

Your thought tantrums were just for toddlers, but often 3 year olds’ tantrums are a lot worse!  

At this age they are still learning to communicate their feelings and what they need and often become frustrated if they are not understood.

Tantrums are usually the result of this frustration. However by the time they reach 4 years old the tantrum phase has usually gone.

3. Boundaries & routines

Boundaries offer kids safety and security. It’s important to set boundaries for your little one, being clear about what’s expected of them, and letting them know what is and isn’t appropriate.

Routines are important too, so continue with their bedtime and meal time routines as the move into the pre-school years, adapting them slightly to meet their age and stage.
 

4. Pester power

Pre-schoolers are the kings and queens of pester power!

As they develop their language skills, they also become better at whinging, whining and generally pushing to get their own way. They also have the stamina to niggle away at you until you give in. But the more you give in, they more they’ll whinge and whine.

To stop the pester power cycle, you need to reinforce that ‘no’ does really mean ‘no’.
 

5. Self-managing

As they move on from their toddler years, let your little one take on their own responsibilities and experience the consequences.

For example if you make dinner and they choose not to eat it, they’ll go hungry or if they don’t put their toys away they may not be able to find them next time around.

These are natural consequences which will help them learn and have a clearer understanding of the world around them.
 

6. Intellectual development

Imaginary play is a notable milestone at this stage and they begin to name colours and understand simple counting.

By age 3, pre-schoolers know 300 words. That expands to around 1,500 words by age 4 and around 2,500 words by age 5.

Stimulate your little one's language development through reading, talking and asking them questions.

By age 5 children can usually draw a person with up to four body parts. They've learnt to draw circles and begin to learn how to draw a square and write letters of the alphabet. They know how to use scissors and are able to cut simple things out on their own.
 

7. Physical development

Pre-schoolers start to learn how to hop, climb, swing and do somersaults and by age 5, many can stand on one foot for at least 10 seconds.

Kids often become frustrated with wanting to do something physically and not being able to do it properly yet or as well as their older siblings. There are often lots of falls and mishaps along the way.
 

8. Social development

As your little one moves into the pre-schooler years interaction with other children increases. They start to learn how to deal with conflict and how to solve problems without so much emotion.

Check out our other Hot Topics on:

• Questions to ask before signing up to a pre-school
• Encouraging your pre-schooler to read and write
• Early childhood education (ECE) options

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