Development at 46 Months
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Activity 1
Age Appropriate Cognitive Development
Spots The Parts Of A Story That Are Missed Out When You Are Reading
 I am really developing my listening and comprehension skills. When you read my favorite story, I am listening to what is said. I can also pick out whether you have missed out some parts of the story or whether the parts you have read are accurate. I can even tell you the right sequence of the story when requested. I will do this between 42 and 48 months (3 year 6 months and 4 years). |
Steps
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Let your child choose a book during your regular reading time.
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Read the story to him once.
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Say, "That story is so nice. Shall we read it again?"
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Read the story. This time skip an important part of the story.
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Observe whether your child notices the missing story part.
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Observe whether he can relate how the story unfolds.
Feedback
Your child is progressing well in his listening skills and reading readiness in this task. To identify the missing part of the story requires him to understand and remember what was said, and to recall and make associations of the currently read story to the previously read one. This ability usually develops between 3 year 6 months and 4 years. Rejoice and celebrate that your child has reached this milestone.
Meanwhile, take a look at the suggested activities to encourage your child's listening skills.
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 Focus on enjoying reading times with your child. Creating a relaxed reading atmosphere and respecting his interest and choices in books are sure ways of improving listening skills and interest in books. You can leave out more parts of the story in future. Do praise him for good listening.
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Involve your child in the whole reading process. Let him turn the pages, let him watch you point to each word as you read. Dramatize whenever you can with your face, actions and tone. End the story with a nice conclusion. Allow him to keep the book. This reading process will instill an interest in books.
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Choose age appropriate books. Books at this age should be colorful, with big pictures, preferably with word rhymes and repetition of certain key words.
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Activity 2
Age Appropriate Social Development
Plays With A Group Of Two To Three Peers
 I will enjoy and participate in more group games between 45 and 48 months (3 year 9 months and 4 years). These group games are mostly fun for me. Sometimes they can also be trying. I will learn through them how to play different games, how to take turns when playing and how to share. |
Steps
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Arrange a play group date of 2-3 children. Plan for 1-2 group games. - Active games include catching, hide and seek, etc - Passive games include current favorite pretend play sets and age appropriate board games.
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Observe whether your child is able to: a. follow rules of the game ; b. enjoy the game more than winning and losing ; c. take turns to be "it" (e.g. catcher or seeker") ; d. share toys when asked.
Feedback
Some children have more difficulty playing in groups then playing alone as it requires much more social skills. The need to wait for his turn patiently, the need to share, the need to listen to others, etc can be challenging although they may appear so natural when we see kids play. All these challenges may make your child very conscious of himself and his lack in certain areas. As a result, he may lose his confidence and dislike playing in groups. So rejoice when your child is enjoying his games with his peers. He is definitely learning all the social skills needed to socialize and to play.
Continue to arrange group dates for him to increase opportunities for group play and do take a look at the suggestions to encourage your child to participate better in groups and sharing.
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 Invite only 1 peer to play with your child at this point. Look out for those who may share the same interest or who is more understanding because they are slightly older. Structure and direct the play situation between the 2 children. Facilitate your child to join into your play with the second child. Praise him for joining. Facilitate his ability to take turns with another. You may need to direct the play instead of leaving your child to his own devices. Your child does not seem to understand and know how to play with a peer. Be patient and facilitate simple social skills like tolerating the physical proximity of peer, joining in and taking turns.
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Use play materials that have both group and individual components. E.g. a game of picking small balls as fast as you can with a tong. Each person has his or her individual tong. Each are to catch their own color balls placed in the same tray. Such types of games are really good in facilitating play skills in a group.
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