Development at 48 Months
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Activity 1
Age Appropriate Gross Motor Development
Runs In A Figure-Of-8 Path Without Stopping
 I am learning to run in a figure-of-8 path without stopping! Mark out a figure-of-8 path on the ground using masking tape. The diameter of the circular portion should be approximately 1 meter. Observe if I am able to run along the path continuously without stopping! I usually develop this ability when I am between 44 and 55 months (3 year 8 months and 4 year 7 months). |
Steps
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Mark out a figure-of-8 path on the ground using masking tape. The diameter of the circular portion should be approximately 1 meter.
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Observe if your child is able to run along the path continuously without stopping.
Feedback
Your child is developing well in his body coordination and balance for this activity. This activity requires your child to change direction as he runs, which is certainly more challenging than it appears! You may look at the suggested activities for more ideas with this task.
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Challenge your child further by having him run along a figure-of-8 path with a smaller diameter! He will need to make a sharper change in direction while running!
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If your child has difficulty in this activity, you can get him to run at a slower speed, jog or brisk walk along the path. Get him to gradually increase his speed as he improves.
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Mark out a simpler path for your child such as a square, rectangle, or a wavy path. Gradually progress to a zig-zag or triangular path as he improves.
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You may also mark out a larger figure-of-8 path and gradually decrease the size of the path as he improves.
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Practice running and changing directions from one point to another. Try shuttle run races.
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 Play catching in the park where you chase him around obstacles. Once he gets tagged, he gets to chase you.
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Activity 2
Age Appropriate Speech, Language And Communication Development
Differentiates Between Left And Right
 Remember what it was like trying to figure out left and right for the first time? One word: confusing. I will take a while to retain information about left and right. It always helps, when teaching, to position yourself behind me or beside me so that you are in the same direction, i.e. my left is your left, rather than facing me so that my left is your right. Confused yet?! I usually develop the ability to differentiate between left and right when I am between 48 and 72 months old (4 years and 6 years). |
Steps
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Paint a picture using different parts of your child's limbs.
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Start first by using the right hand. Ask your child to show you his right hand. Observe if your child is able to show you the correct hand.
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Put on paint on his hand and have him print it on paper!
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When he is done, ask for his left foot. Observe if your child is able to identify his left side.
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Put some paint on his foot and have him make a colored foot print!
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Get creative and repeat for other parts of his body!
Feedback
Begin to use 'left' and 'right' in instructions to your child. This helps develop his understanding with more complex commands. For instance, 'Can you pass me the toy on your right?'. If you have some animals or colored toy cars in front of your child, ask your child to give you an item by saying something like, 'Can Mummy have the cat to the right of the giraffe?
You may also look at the suggested Activities for more ideas to help you child learn about 'left' and 'right'.
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Make learning fun. Try using the Hokey Pokey Song. “Put your right hand in; take your right foot out, etc”. Model right and left and once your child is more confident about his left and right, allow your child to carry out the actions a split second before you join in! If he gets it wrong, have a good laugh about it and keep right on singing!
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Dressing up can be fun when you help your child figure out which arm to put in first or which foot to put his sock on!
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Take out your magician's hat and start hiding food/toys/gifts in one of your hands! Ask your child to guess 'Which hand?'! For a start you may want to hold your arms out in front of your child so that he fully grasps 'left' and 'right'. Later try facing him and asking if the surprise is in 'MY left or MY right hand'.
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