Preschool babies grow and develop rapidly during the first 6 years across four key areas of development: motor (physical), communication and language, cognitive, social and emotional. Motor development means the development of bones, muscles, and a child's ability to move and be in contact with their surroundings. Children's motor development is divided into two categories: fine motor and gross motor.
1. Learning about gross and fine motor in preschool children
a. Gross and fine motor
Gross motor skills include motor skills and motor coordination of large muscles such as rolling, crawling, crawling, body rotation, running, jumping, kicking, climbing, etc. Children develop gross motor skills first. fine movement.
Fine motor skills are skills related to the small muscles of the eyes and hands such as the ability to hold, grasp, toy, rotate, twist, write, embroider, knit, draw ... This skill will develop thanks to children's play and exercise activities.
b. What do parents need to do?
Parents learn together what is different about motor development and motor skills at different ages so that they can best prepare their children.
2. The development of preschool children in each stage
a. Baby stage 0-12 months
For gross motor:
Babies know how to turn from their back to their side, can turn themselves on their stomach and know how to raise their head when lying on their stomach
Babies can roll from back to stomach and from stomach to back.
The ability to roll over and raise the head by itself is longer when lying on the stomach in babies from 4-6 months
When pulled up, the baby can keep the head straight
Children are more stable when sitting
Children learn to crawl forward and around
When being held by parents, children can stand when being held by their parents
Children from 7 months old can sit firmly on their own, start to crawl and stand up when there is a wall to hold firmly.
From the age of 9 months, babies learn to stand and gradually stand, walking a few steps when someone takes their hand
For fine motor:
Children know how to hold and hold objects in their hands for 1-2 minutes, can use their hands to put objects in their mouth, know how to reach out to hold objects.
Children learn to hold two objects and smash them together.
Know how to move an object from the right hand to the left hand or vice versa; pick up objects with thumb and another finger
Children use their fingers more easily, know how to bang two objects together, grip objects with two fingers
2.2 Preschool stage 1-2 years old
For gross motor
Baby begins to take his first step without help and starts running and throwing balls
Baby can move an object, sit and pick up toys and walk, push and pull toys with wheels
Baby climbs stairs with two legs, two hands and walks backward down stairs with two hands and two feet.
Fine movement:
The child put the coin in the money tube and turned the page of the book. Babies already know how to use their hands in different activities such as control, balance. Baby can build towers with 2-3 blocks at 15 months, 3-4 blocks at 18 months and draw lines on paper.
2.3 Preschool stage 2-3 years old
Gross motor:
Baby climbing up and down stairs alone using handrails, not climbing continuously with two legs.
Baby can ride a tricycle
Baby standing on tiptoes, throwing ball forward…
Fine movement:
Completing jigsaw puzzles at 2 years old, starting with 6-7 blocks, and playing with 9-10 blocks by 3 years old
Children holding crayons with their fingers actively draw straight and horizontal lines on the paper...
Children can turn pages of books, point to small places in books and look at books by themselves.
2.4 Stage 3 -4 years old
Gross motor:
Baby walks back, forth, sideways, trying to push and pull big toys. Baby runs, stops, dribbles over obstacles.
Baby balances on one leg for a few seconds and runs with more grace. Baby climbs up and down stairs with alternating steps and carries objects up and down stairs.
Fine movement:
Your child completes a jigsaw puzzle, imitates building a bridge, makes a toy machine work, and places 5 blocks in a row.
The child opens and closes the lid of the box, cuts the paper into long strands and cuts it in a straight line. Children imitate drawing plus sign V and simple shapes
Baby holds scissors in one hand and cuts the outline. Baby makes a long zigzag line by kneading the shaping dough in both hands.
Children collect and classify objects and pictures. Children sort objects into groups and pair common objects by function.
2.5 Stage 4-5 years old
Gross motor:
Baby throws and catches the ball. Your child throws the ball with more force and throws the ball over his shoulder or under his feet.
Your baby can learn how to swim, jump up or down, and ride a bike with extra wheels.
Fine movement:
Baby shapes right or left handedness. Baby cut shapes easily: circle, square.
The child holds the pencil with the thumb and index finger, puts the focus on the middle finger and paints without smearing.
2.6 Stage 5-6 years old
Gross motor:
Children can walk in a straight line, step down stairs with both feet alternately and run like an adult. Children know how to avoid objects thrown at them, know how to run and chase.
Children can also jump rope by alternating legs, climbing confidently and enjoying fast-moving toys and games.
Fine movement:
Baby distinguishes left and right hands. The child folds the paper in half by comparing the corners.
Can use a pen to draw some simple shapes, color, tear and paste, know how to cut some simple shapes with scissors
Baby can use two hands to catch the ball relatively accurately and can use fingers to shape small objects
The baby has also started going to school and writing letters.
3. How to encourage preschool children to develop
exercise or physical
a. Infant/baby:
Do abs for a few minutes, increasing the time slowly as your muscles get stronger.
Place toys nearby so your baby can move around and reach for them.
b. About 1 year old:
Let your child turn the pages of the book as you read with him
Play games and sing songs that incorporate dance moves that children can imitate.
c. Preschool children 2-3 years old:
Encourage your child to build a tower of four or more blocks.
Play marching or follow the leader with your toddler.
Help your child explore things around him by taking him for a walk.
Gently roll a ball to the child and ask the child to roll it back.
3.4 Preschool children from 4 to 6 years old:
Practice standing on one leg and count how long your child can stand still.
Play crafts with play dough, scissors and small beads on the string.
Encourage your child to help with simple household chores.
Let your child draw with crayons, markers, and a variety of play materials.
At each stage, babies have different development of gross and fine motor. The fact that parents observe and play with their children will help them bond and have a comprehensive development both physically and mentally.
At Worldkids Kindergarten, children learn and play in a healthy environment. Along with the motto "Child-centered", children are free to create and develop naturally according to each preschool stage.
Parents can learn more about preschool children's social and emotional development.