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Four-year-olds are so much fun! Becoming more independent by the minute, fours are generally super social and extra energetic. They’ll probably begin to push the boundaries a bit this year, though, and will likely give up on napping (sorry, Mom). They’ll also benefit from time away from parents and caregivers as they prepare to enter Kindergarten next year. Below is a list of other social-emotional, language, cognitive, and physical skills you may see emerge this year (but remember, kids progress at their speeds and may pick up these skills earlier or later!):
Social-Emotional Skills
Your baby is officially a preschooler now, learning to identify and express their emotions appropriately, with words rather than emotions. Other exciting social, emotional skills your four-year-old will likely learn this year include:
Approaching new experiences with excitement
Preferring playing with friends than alone (and can take turns and cooperate most of the time)
Sharing information about things they’re interested in
Role-playing mom or dad during pretend playtime
Clearly expressing a thought or idea
Language Skills
Look out! With an average vocabulary of up to 1,600 words, your four-year-old has plenty to say! Fours are becoming much more communicative, using longer, clearer sentences, singing songs, playing word games, even reciting short poems! Here are some other language skills your four-year-old may acquire this year:
Speaking fluently and enough to be understood by strangers
Telling a story about something that happened to them
Singing a simple song from memory… Oh, the wheels on the bus go…
Answering questions beginning with who, what, where, when, why, how many…
Playing simply rhyming games (cluck says the duck!)
Cognitive Skills
Fours are building the foundation for future learning, practicing shapes, letters, numbers, counting, and attempting to write and draw. By the time most kids start Kindergarten (usually around age five), they’ll:
Know their full name and maybe their phone number
Recognize letters, numbers, and signs
Count 10 or more objects
Draw a person with 4-6 body parts (head with mouth and eyes, body with arms and legs)
Understand comparative terms like big/small, short/tall, same/different, empty/full, etc.
Physical Skills
It may feel like your four-year-old is in constant motion, running, jumping, climbing, hopping, and hiding all day long. In addition to honing their gross motor skills, this year, they’ll also be refining key fine motor movements that allow them to dress and feed themselves (hooray). Other physical skills your little one will be working on this year include:
Buttoning and unbuttoning their clothing
Using childsafe scissors
Running faster and climbing higher than they did at three
Balancing on one foot for 3 seconds
Walking a “tightrope”
Climbing stairs with no support
Remember that kids develop at different speeds, so don’t worry if it’s taking your little one a little longer to master any of the skills above. You can support their development by practicing these things at home, in a fun way – and you can track your child’s milestones by age with the CDC’s mobile milestone app!
Four-year-olds are so much fun! Becoming more independent by the minute, fours are generally super social and extra energetic. They’ll probably begin to push the boundaries a bit this year, though, and will likely give up on napping (sorry, Mom). They’ll also benefit from time away from parents and caregivers as they prepare to enter Kindergarten next year. Below is a list of other social-emotional, language, cognitive, and physical skills you may see emerge this year (but remember, kids progress at their speeds and may pick up these skills earlier or later!):
Social-Emotional Skills
Your baby is officially a preschooler now, learning to identify and express their emotions appropriately, with words rather than emotions. Other exciting social, emotional skills your four-year-old will likely learn this year include:
Approaching new experiences with excitement
Preferring playing with friends than alone (and can take turns and cooperate most of the time)
Sharing information about things they’re interested in
Role-playing mom or dad during pretend playtime
Clearly expressing a thought or idea
Language Skills
Look out! With an average vocabulary of up to 1,600 words, your four-year-old has plenty to say! Fours are becoming much more communicative, using longer, clearer sentences, singing songs, playing word games, even reciting short poems! Here are some other language skills your four-year-old may acquire this year:
Speaking fluently and enough to be understood by strangers
Telling a story about something that happened to them
Singing a simple song from memory… Oh, the wheels on the bus go…
Answering questions beginning with who, what, where, when, why, how many…
Playing simply rhyming games (cluck says the duck!)
Cognitive Skills
Fours are building the foundation for future learning, practicing shapes, letters, numbers, counting, and attempting to write and draw. By the time most kids start Kindergarten (usually around age five), they’ll:
Know their full name and maybe their phone number
Recognize letters, numbers, and signs
Count 10 or more objects
Draw a person with 4-6 body parts (head with mouth and eyes, body with arms and legs)
Understand comparative terms like big/small, short/tall, same/different, empty/full, etc.
Physical Skills
It may feel like your four-year-old is in constant motion, running, jumping, climbing, hopping, and hiding all day long. In addition to honing their gross motor skills, this year, they’ll also be refining key fine motor movements that allow them to dress and feed themselves (hooray). Other physical skills your little one will be working on this year include:
Buttoning and unbuttoning their clothing
Using childsafe scissors
Running faster and climbing higher than they did at three
Balancing on one foot for 3 seconds
Walking a “tightrope”
Climbing stairs with no support
Remember that kids develop at different speeds, so don’t worry if it’s taking your little one a little longer to master any of the skills above. You can support their development by practicing these things at home, in a fun way – and you can track your child’s milestones by age with the CDC’s mobile milestone app!
The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify “code” and to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with 1-hour coding activities but expanding to all sorts of community efforts. Not sure where to start? We have a variety of activities that will be helpful for all ages and skill levels!
5 Reasons why Coding is Important for Young Minds: Stacy Nelson, a Kindergarten STEM teacher, mom, and grandparent, answers questions, including how do we learn and teach our children how to code, and why is this so important? More importantly, how young do we begin teaching our children?
If you are looking for gift ideas for the young coder in your life, as MagiCoders, Botley 2.0, Code & Go Mouse, and our Coding Critters with free printables!
The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify “code” and to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with 1-hour coding activities but expanding to all sorts of community efforts. Not sure where to start? We have a variety of activities that will be helpful for all ages and skill levels!
5 Reasons why Coding is Important for Young Minds: Stacy Nelson, a Kindergarten STEM teacher, mom, and grandparent, answers questions, including how do we learn and teach our children how to code, and why is this so important? More importantly, how young do we begin teaching our children?
If you are looking for gift ideas for the young coder in your life, as MagiCoders, Botley 2.0, Code & Go Mouse, and our Coding Critters with free printables!
Thanksgiving dinner is such a special time. You’re surrounded by friends and family and about to enjoy a delicious feast at a beautifully set, festive table. With your kids. But not to worry! We’ve compiled a list of age-appropriate table manners to help you set your expectations just in time for the holidays.
Before you lay down the law, make sure your child understands why it’s important to use good manners at the table – mainly that eating together as a family is important to you and that it’s more fun for everyone when the whole family follows certain rules. Then practice, practice, practice! Don’t wait until the big day. Be consistent with your table rules and practice at home and in restaurants for several weeks before turkey day, praising your kids for using good manners and gently correcting forgotten rules.
Speaking of expectations, depending on your child’s age, you may need to lower yours, but most children, even preschoolers, can master the manners below:
Sitting Still – Okay, maybe just sitting would be a more realistic goal. But your young child does need to remain in his seat during his meal. Expecting him to make it through a four-course meal without moving is somewhat unrealistic. Still, he should remain seated – not under the table, standing up, or running around – while eating his dinner and then be excused to play quietly while the adults finish their food.
Inside Voice – Special occasions and unfamiliar faces can get preschoolers excited, and excitement can lead to, yes, yelling. Remind your little one that mealtime is a quiet time, where we talk in quiet, inside voices. Be sure to engage your child during the meal or task an older sibling with chatting her up – little ones can get loud when they’re feeling ignored.
Hands Off – Make sure your kids understand that their food will be served to them on a plate, and the plate (or their mouths) is where it should stay. Rather than reaching or grabbing for what they want, help them learn to ask politely for more of something. And, conversely, food that’s on their plates should stay there (versus being put back in a serving dish or thrown across the room).
Please and Thank You – Preschoolers love to please! Odds are, they’re already great at saying please and thank you, and mealtime is just another place to practice these good manners. Model saying thank you when you’re served and using please when asking for seconds or refills and give kudos to your kids when they do the same.
Older kids who have mastered the four rules above are capable of learning more advanced table etiquette (and modeling it nicely for your little ones), including:
Waiting until everyone has been served to take a first bite of food.
Placing their napkins in their laps. And using them. Save those sleeves!
Keeping negative feedback about the food to themselves. If you don’t have something nice to say…
Sitting up straight. And maybe even participating in the group conversation!
Asking to be excused when there’s a break in the conversation.
By setting realistic, age-appropriate expectations, being clear about them with your kids, and practicing, practicing, holiday meals will be more enjoyable for everyone. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving dinner is such a special time. You’re surrounded by friends and family and about to enjoy a delicious feast at a beautifully set, festive table. With your kids. But not to worry! We’ve compiled a list of age-appropriate table manners to help you set your expectations just in time for the holidays.
Before you lay down the law, make sure your child understands why it’s important to use good manners at the table – mainly that eating together as a family is important to you and that it’s more fun for everyone when the whole family follows certain rules. Then practice, practice, practice! Don’t wait until the big day. Be consistent with your table rules and practice at home and in restaurants for several weeks before turkey day, praising your kids for using good manners and gently correcting forgotten rules.
Speaking of expectations, depending on your child’s age, you may need to lower yours, but most children, even preschoolers, can master the manners below:
Sitting Still – Okay, maybe just sitting would be a more realistic goal. But your young child does need to remain in his seat during his meal. Expecting him to make it through a four-course meal without moving is somewhat unrealistic. Still, he should remain seated – not under the table, standing up, or running around – while eating his dinner and then be excused to play quietly while the adults finish their food.
Inside Voice – Special occasions and unfamiliar faces can get preschoolers excited, and excitement can lead to, yes, yelling. Remind your little one that mealtime is a quiet time, where we talk in quiet, inside voices. Be sure to engage your child during the meal or task an older sibling with chatting her up – little ones can get loud when they’re feeling ignored.
Hands Off – Make sure your kids understand that their food will be served to them on a plate, and the plate (or their mouths) is where it should stay. Rather than reaching or grabbing for what they want, help them learn to ask politely for more of something. And, conversely, food that’s on their plates should stay there (versus being put back in a serving dish or thrown across the room).
Please and Thank You – Preschoolers love to please! Odds are, they’re already great at saying please and thank you, and mealtime is just another place to practice these good manners. Model saying thank you when you’re served and using please when asking for seconds or refills and give kudos to your kids when they do the same.
Older kids who have mastered the four rules above are capable of learning more advanced table etiquette (and modeling it nicely for your little ones), including:
Waiting until everyone has been served to take a first bite of food.
Placing their napkins in their laps. And using them. Save those sleeves!
Keeping negative feedback about the food to themselves. If you don’t have something nice to say…
Sitting up straight. And maybe even participating in the group conversation!
Asking to be excused when there’s a break in the conversation.
By setting realistic, age-appropriate expectations, being clear about them with your kids, and practicing, practicing, holiday meals will be more enjoyable for everyone. Happy Thanksgiving!
Many kids spend their years in school on “autopilot,” looking at their schooling as something they have to do, something that’s expected of them, and something they need to advance in life. This mindset might be good for getting good grades or having perfect attendance, but it doesn’t create lifelong learners. It doesn’t build thriving minds and young adults, and it certainly doesn’t set your children up for lifelong success in everything they do.
To get your kids off autopilot and inspire and empower them to become effective learners, you need to change the paradigm. Not only is it important to stay on top of the latest trends for learning and development, but it’s also important to implement mindfulness into the process and even use technology to spark creativity and a love for lifelong learning. Today, we will put all of this into perspective and define some of the best ways to teach your children to become mindful and effective learners for life.
Define the “why” behind every learning activity From school to the great outdoors, from TV and the internet to the playground and beyond – children are constantly learning and soaking up new information. Every activity and experience is an opportunity to learn new and exciting things, but that doesn’t mean that your kids will want to learn. Don’t expect your children to have an innate desire for knowledge or that they’ll love school just because they are talented individuals.
For your children to be effective learners and truly love learning, they need to understand the “why” behind every subject and learning activity. Why is math important? Why is chemistry so helpful, and how does STEM change the world? Why should they take an art class, and why in the world should they learn to play an instrument?
If you don’t give your child a broader picture or a deeper understanding of the subject, they won’t feel motivated to learn. On the other hand, if they understand that math is the language of the universe, they will feel incentivized to learn that language to unravel its mysteries.
A time for studying, a time for rest No matter how talented they are and no matter how much energy and passion for learning your child might have, there’s only so much they can do in a day – and you mustn’t push them beyond their limits. A child’s mind thrives not on the number of learning activities and extracurriculars, but on a well-designed learning schedule.
Now, don’t force them to create their own schedule, instead, make on with them. Your child will let you know how much they can accomplish in a single day, and you as the parent need to help them create a healthy school-life balance. If you have a work-life balance, then it’s only natural for your child to have one too. Only with a healthy school-life balance can you expect your child to achieve their very best over the long term without succumbing to the pressure.
Teach kids to use online resources Technology is quickly reshaping the educational sector around the world, and kids nowadays have a unique opportunity to acquire more knowledge than any generation before them. Your child has the opportunity to access the global information pool with a click of a button, but the materials they use should come from reputable online sources.
For example, kids who are finishing high school in Australia and are getting ready to take their Higher School Certificate exams are using HSC study notes from past students to supplement their own notes and textbooks with reliable information and thus enrich their learning experience. This is just one of the many ways your child can get a fresh new perspective, acquire more information, and make learning easier and more enjoyable by simply utilizing online resources and learning platforms.
Create a healthy learning environment For your child to become a mindful learner and develop a passion for lifelong learning, they need to be in a healthy environment. Don’t think that your child can focus or feel motivated to study if the place is a mess if they are surrounded by distractions or any form of negativity lingering in the air.
Remember, your child needs a safe, welcoming space where they can study, a space imbued with peace and positivity. Consider your work-from-home lifestyle that requires a home office where you can concentrate. Your child needs the same thing – they own space designed for studying and nothing else. The lockdown is changing the face of education, and while they are stuck at home, try to make the learning process as enjoyable and effective as possible.
Learning through practical examples Children need to learn by experiencing the world with all their senses. They learn by touching, listening, reading, and sometimes even by tasting something they clearly shouldn’t have put in their mouth. It’s a natural process that doesn’t go away simply because they reached their school years.
If you want your child to become a mindful and effective learner, they need more than to stare at a textbook. They need examples, visual stimulation, and a more creative approach to studying. This is for the teachers to figure out while they’re in the classroom, but when you’re helping your child study at home, you should enrich their learning experience with various examples that will spark their interest, imagination, and the oh-so-important creative process.
Over to you Children go to school, they do what they’re told, they get good grades, and they never truly realize why lifelong learning is so important, valuable, and transformative. If you want to set your child on a better path through life, then make sure to use these tips to help them become mindful learners, and inspire them to achieve many great things in the years to come.
Many kids spend their years in school on “autopilot,” looking at their schooling as something they have to do, something that’s expected of them, and something they need to advance in life. This mindset might be good for getting good grades or having perfect attendance, but it doesn’t create lifelong learners. It doesn’t build thriving minds and young adults, and it certainly doesn’t set your children up for lifelong success in everything they do.
To get your kids off autopilot and inspire and empower them to become effective learners, you need to change the paradigm. Not only is it important to stay on top of the latest trends for learning and development, but it’s also important to implement mindfulness into the process and even use technology to spark creativity and a love for lifelong learning. Today, we will put all of this into perspective and define some of the best ways to teach your children to become mindful and effective learners for life.
Define the “why” behind every learning activity From school to the great outdoors, from TV and the internet to the playground and beyond – children are constantly learning and soaking up new information. Every activity and experience is an opportunity to learn new and exciting things, but that doesn’t mean that your kids will want to learn. Don’t expect your children to have an innate desire for knowledge or that they’ll love school just because they are talented individuals.
For your children to be effective learners and truly love learning, they need to understand the “why” behind every subject and learning activity. Why is math important? Why is chemistry so helpful, and how does STEM change the world? Why should they take an art class, and why in the world should they learn to play an instrument?
If you don’t give your child a broader picture or a deeper understanding of the subject, they won’t feel motivated to learn. On the other hand, if they understand that math is the language of the universe, they will feel incentivized to learn that language to unravel its mysteries.
A time for studying, a time for rest No matter how talented they are and no matter how much energy and passion for learning your child might have, there’s only so much they can do in a day – and you mustn’t push them beyond their limits. A child’s mind thrives not on the number of learning activities and extracurriculars, but on a well-designed learning schedule.
Now, don’t force them to create their own schedule, instead, make on with them. Your child will let you know how much they can accomplish in a single day, and you as the parent need to help them create a healthy school-life balance. If you have a work-life balance, then it’s only natural for your child to have one too. Only with a healthy school-life balance can you expect your child to achieve their very best over the long term without succumbing to the pressure.
Teach kids to use online resources Technology is quickly reshaping the educational sector around the world, and kids nowadays have a unique opportunity to acquire more knowledge than any generation before them. Your child has the opportunity to access the global information pool with a click of a button, but the materials they use should come from reputable online sources.
For example, kids who are finishing high school in Australia and are getting ready to take their Higher School Certificate exams are using HSC study notes from past students to supplement their own notes and textbooks with reliable information and thus enrich their learning experience. This is just one of the many ways your child can get a fresh new perspective, acquire more information, and make learning easier and more enjoyable by simply utilizing online resources and learning platforms.
Create a healthy learning environment For your child to become a mindful learner and develop a passion for lifelong learning, they need to be in a healthy environment. Don’t think that your child can focus or feel motivated to study if the place is a mess if they are surrounded by distractions or any form of negativity lingering in the air.
Remember, your child needs a safe, welcoming space where they can study, a space imbued with peace and positivity. Consider your work-from-home lifestyle that requires a home office where you can concentrate. Your child needs the same thing – they own space designed for studying and nothing else. The lockdown is changing the face of education, and while they are stuck at home, try to make the learning process as enjoyable and effective as possible.
Learning through practical examples Children need to learn by experiencing the world with all their senses. They learn by touching, listening, reading, and sometimes even by tasting something they clearly shouldn’t have put in their mouth. It’s a natural process that doesn’t go away simply because they reached their school years.
If you want your child to become a mindful and effective learner, they need more than to stare at a textbook. They need examples, visual stimulation, and a more creative approach to studying. This is for the teachers to figure out while they’re in the classroom, but when you’re helping your child study at home, you should enrich their learning experience with various examples that will spark their interest, imagination, and the oh-so-important creative process.
Over to you Children go to school, they do what they’re told, they get good grades, and they never truly realize why lifelong learning is so important, valuable, and transformative. If you want to set your child on a better path through life, then make sure to use these tips to help them become mindful learners, and inspire them to achieve many great things in the years to come.
Need some suggestions for a cavity-free, allergy-free, calorie-free holiday? Get your creative juices flowing with these treat alternatives that are great for trick-or-treaters, classroom parties, special friends, and more!
Keep an eye out
Think outside of the candy aisle and browse all around the stores you visit. Any small, affordable toy, like yo-yos, bouncy balls, and bubbles, will put a smile on kids' faces.
Let the fun continue.
Small costume elements like fake mustaches, vampire teeth, tattoos, and spider rings let kids continue dressing up, and celebrating long after Halloween is just a memory.
Cook up a witch's brew
Offer up your non-food treats with a little dramatic flair! Fill a plastic witch's cauldron with cute and creepy bug toys for trick-or-treaters. For extra eeriness, drop a couple of glow sticks at the bottom of your cauldron and stir it with a skeleton hand. Or make a party game of it by having kids use grabbers to pick up a "nasty" centipede or spider without touching it.
Practical Magic
When the spooktacular night is over, life goes back to normal. But useful items like Halloween-themed pencils, erasers, bookmakers, and other school supplies allow the experience to linger a little longer.
Add lights and sound
Add spooky chills to your party with Buzzers that make all sorts of silly sounds or recordable howls and screeches. Also, consider giving out kazoos, clackers, and glow-in-the-dark bracelets so kids can be seen and heard in the dark!
Put out a teal pumpkin
Let trick-or-treaters and their parents know that you have treat alternatives that are safe for kids with food allergies by placing teal-painted pumpkins on your porch or by your front door. Learn more here. Our assortment of counters are an excellent alternative for candy, as well!
Don't be surprised if your house becomes one of the most popular destinations every year!
Need some suggestions for a cavity-free, allergy-free, calorie-free holiday? Get your creative juices flowing with these treat alternatives that are great for trick-or-treaters, classroom parties, special friends, and more!
Keep an eye out
Think outside of the candy aisle and browse all around the stores you visit. Any small, affordable toy, like yo-yos, bouncy balls, and bubbles, will put a smile on kids' faces.
Let the fun continue.
Small costume elements like fake mustaches, vampire teeth, tattoos, and spider rings let kids continue dressing up, and celebrating long after Halloween is just a memory.
Cook up a witch's brew
Offer up your non-food treats with a little dramatic flair! Fill a plastic witch's cauldron with cute and creepy bug toys for trick-or-treaters. For extra eeriness, drop a couple of glow sticks at the bottom of your cauldron and stir it with a skeleton hand. Or make a party game of it by having kids use grabbers to pick up a "nasty" centipede or spider without touching it.
Practical Magic
When the spooktacular night is over, life goes back to normal. But useful items like Halloween-themed pencils, erasers, bookmakers, and other school supplies allow the experience to linger a little longer.
Add lights and sound
Add spooky chills to your party with Buzzers that make all sorts of silly sounds or recordable howls and screeches. Also, consider giving out kazoos, clackers, and glow-in-the-dark bracelets so kids can be seen and heard in the dark!
Put out a teal pumpkin
Let trick-or-treaters and their parents know that you have treat alternatives that are safe for kids with food allergies by placing teal-painted pumpkins on your porch or by your front door. Learn more here. Our assortment of counters are an excellent alternative for candy, as well!
Don't be surprised if your house becomes one of the most popular destinations every year!
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