Development at 55 Months
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Activity 1
Age Appropriate Fine Motor Development
Uses Scissors To Cut Out Small Simple Shapes
 I am learning to cut out a small shape! Let me hold a pair of scissors in one hand and a sheet of paper with my other hand. Observe if I am able to manipulate the pair of scissors successfully to cut out a small triangle or a small circle, approximately 5cm in diameter. Please never leave me alone with a pair of scissors. I usually develop the ability to cut out a small shape between 48 and 62 months (4 years and 5 year 2 months). |
Steps
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Let your child hold a pair of scissors and a sheet of paper with a small shape marked on it (you may draw a small triangle or a small circle of approximately 5cm in diameter). Premium members : You can login and print out the pictures under the "Tools" section.
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Observe if your child is able to manipulate the pair of scissors successfully to cut out the small shape.
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Please never leave your child alone with a pair of scissors.
Feedback
Your child is learning to coordinate both his hands well in this activity. He is also developing very good finger control and visual-motor integration skills. As his skill refines further with practice, he will be able to progress to more complex patterns and shapes which require greater control and coordination. You may look at the suggested activities for more ideas with this task.
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Provide lots of opportunities for your child to cut out different shapes or simple pictures using a pair of scissors. Always ensure close supervision when your child is handling any sharp objects.
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As your child gets better at cutting paper, let him try cutting harder materials such as a sheet of cardboard.
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If you child needs some assistance in this task, you can help by physically guiding him by holding his hand and helping him cut along the line. Gradually decrease your help as he improves.
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You can draw thicker lines initially with a marker, or thick crayon so as to provide a wider area to cut along.
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Let your child practice cutting straight and curved lines first, gradually progressing to shapes as he improves.
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You can also draw 2 concentric circles or triangles with a width of about 1 to 2 inches between them. Ask your child to cut within the space without touching the lines. Gradually decrease the width as he improves till he can cut along a line.
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Use a small sheet of paper so that he can hold it comfortably in his hand.
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Trace either side of the line with glue & let it dry. This provides resistance to the scissors if your child moves out of the line.
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If your child is using his left hand to cut, please obtain scissors for left-handers available commercially.
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 Choose small scissors (3.5-4.5 inches or 9-11.5 cm in length), with sharp blades, rounded tips and small finger loops to promote better control of fingers.
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Activity 2
Age Appropriate Social Development
Able To Give Parents' Names When Asked
 As part of learning about myself and my relationship with others, I can answer you when you asks me, ‘What is your Mummy’s name? or ‘What is your Daddy's name?’. I will even be able to say what their surnames and other names are. I will be able to do this between 54 and 62 months (4 year 6 months and 5 year 2 months). |
Steps
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Teach your child yours and your partner's names.
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Once he is familiar with the names, ask him to tell you "What is daddy's/mummy's names".
Feedback
Your child may have been knowing you by only either "mummy or daddy" all along and therefore may not have been given the opportunity much before to learn about your names. The most important thing is to learn your names and not how early one learns them. Being able to recognize and label who's who correctly shows that your child is aware of names used within the family. He is really feeling like he is a part of his family and is able to name the names of his family members.
Look at the suggestions for fun ways to develop this understanding of other family members.
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Create a family tree with the child. Use vanguard sheet, markers, glue and photos when drawing up the chart. Each time you come to a family member, list the relation and then the name of the family member. Start off with just the immediate family members like the mother, father and siblings.
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Play a card game called "Happy Family". This card game is commercially available and teaches that each family has the same surname.
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Play a blanket game. Raise a blanket and have your child sit on one side while mum and dad sit on the other. Your child has to call out the full names of mum and dad. The person who calls out the full name first is the fastest person and gets a sticker.
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Show your child your identity, credit cards or driver's license where your photo is shown with your name. Explain to him that everyone has a name with a surname and other names. Explain to him what is his surname and other names.
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Play a pretend play game, calling each other by full names all the time. This can be quite fun as it is an exaggerated form of name calling. Children may remember the names better when using such exaggerations.
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Play a blanket game. Raise a blanket and have your child sit on one side while mum and dad sit on the other. Your child has to call out the full names of mum and dad. The person who calls out the full name first is the fastest person and gets a sticker.
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