Development at 56 Months
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Activity 1
Age Appropriate Cognitive Development
Counts One To Ten
 At this age, I realize that counting is a way for me to answer questions like "How many sweets do you have?", "How many eyes have you?" and "How old are you?". To count accurately up to 10, I need to understand that each number corresponds to an item. I will point to one item at a time and count aloud to ten between 48 and 60 months (4 years and 5 years). |
Steps
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In a natural setting, play a counting game with your child.
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Start with 3 items (e.g. fingers) first.
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Lay the items in a row in front of your child.
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Separate each item a short distance from the next.
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Ask your child to count the number of items.
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Observe how your child counts: a. Does he point? ; b. Does he count aloud? ; b. Is he systematic or impulsive in counting? ; c. Does he know how to start counting from the left side of the row to the right side of the row?
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Repeat game with 5, then 7, then 10 fingers.
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Observe whether he is able to count up to 10.
Feedback 1
This activity shows whether your child is able to count to 10 accurately. He is also likely using numbers to answer "how many" questions asked by you. His responses in this task will reveal his ability to systematically count a row of objects from left to right by pointing and talking. It also reveals a mastery of the number concept up till 10. Praise him for his learning as this ability to count accurately to 10 usually develops between 4 and 5 years old.
Take a look at our suggested activities to encourage and use this skill.
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Ask your child to close his eyes and have him count to the sound of you clapping or to the beat of a drum. Once he is used to it, he can keep his eyes open to count the claps again, before finally counting and clapping together with you.
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Count the number of times your child can bounce the ball or see if he can drop a certain marbles into a can one by one and count them at the same time.
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Prepare a shopping list specifying the quantity of a few items your child needs to buy. Incorporate his favorite items so that he will look forward to the experience, e.g. 7 apples, 3 oranges, 5 lollipops, 1 pencil. Shopping is a meaningful experience to use numbers.
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Play an obstacle course with 10 items. Each station will have a number assigned to it. Have your child crawl under the chair, jump over a telephone book, climb over a box, etc.
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Roll dice to start a board game. Have your child count and let the greater number be the one who starts first. Play age appropriate board games where he has to roll a die to move along in the game.
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Feedback 2
If your child is able to count to a lesser quantity, it means that he understands counting but has difficulty when the number is large. Identify which number he can handle and slowly build his skill from there. Use these fun ideas to teach counting:
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Close his eyes and have him count to the sound of you clapping or to the beat of a drum. Once he is used to it, he can keep his eyes open to count the claps again, before finally counting and clapping together with you.
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Count the number of times the child can bounce the ball or see if your child can drop marbles into a can one by one while counting them at the same time.
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Prepare a shopping list specifying the quantity of a few items he needs to buy. Incorporate his favorite items so that he will look forward to the experience (e.g. 7 apples, 3 oranges, 5 lollipops, 1 pencil). Shopping is a meaningful experience to use numbers.
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Play on an obstacle course with 10 items. Each station will have a number assigned. Have your child
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Feedback 3
If your child is impulsive in counting (points non-systematically, skipping 1 item before going to the next), help him to slow down. Organize the items in a neat row, instead of in a bunch. Increase the distance between the items so that he can also slow down the pace of counting. Physically guide his finger pointing and slow down the pace of counting.
If your child seems confused by counting, he may not have understood that 1 number corresponds to 1 quantity. Use the following suggested activities.
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Arrange and place 3 large cookies in a row about 8 cm apart on a table. Ask your child to place the same number of cookies just directly below and corresponding to each of your cookies. Draw a line from your cookie if your child still needs some clues to help him place the accurate number. Model counting with your finger on the top row and let him point and follow your pace of counting on the bottom row.
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Use interesting and concrete everyday experiences to teach 1:1 correspondence for larger quantities e.g.:
Keep your egg cartons. Have him place 1 egg into 1 space in the carton.
Let him pack 1 roll of film into 1 film canister and display all the canisters in a row for him to count.
Keep chocolate tray boxes. Have him keep 1 coin/block/etc. in each chocolate hole.
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Clip a large clothes peg onto a piece of cardboard. Repeat for several sets. Have him count after he finishes pegging 1 peg to 1 piece of cardboard.
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Activity 2
Age Appropriate Gross Motor Development
Catches A Small Ball In Chest
 I am learning to catch a small ball! Hold a small ball about 8cm in diameter and stand about 1.5 meters away from me. Gently throw the ball to me so that it reaches me at about my chest level. Observe if I am able to catch the ball. I will most likely catch the ball by trapping it against my chest or body. Let me have some practice first if it is the first time I am trying to catch a small ball. I usually develop this skill between 50 and 60 months. (4 year 2 months and 5 years). |
Steps
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Hold a small ball about 8cm in diameter (tennis ball) and stand about 1.5 meters away from your child.
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Gently throw the ball to your child so that it reaches him at about his chest level.
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Observe if he is able to catch the ball by trapping it against his chest or body.
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Let your child have some practice first if it is the first time he is trying to catch a small ball.
Feedback
Your child’s eye-hand coordination has enabled him to catch a small ball even though he has to use his body to help at this stage. As his arm and hand control and eye-hand coordination continue to develop, your child will gradually learn to catch a small ball neatly in his hands. It is fine to give your child more time and practice to develop this. Remember that the ability to catch an 8-cm ball in the chest is usually developed between 50 and 60 months. You may look at the suggested activities for more ideas with this task.
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Provide lots of opportunities for ball play to allow your child to continue developing his eye-hand coordination.
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Use balls of different sizes and weights for more challenge and fun!
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Use an easy-to-grip, soft-textured ball (e.g. made of sponge or rubber) for easier grip.
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You may let your child practice catching with a larger ball first. When his ability improves, progress to using a smaller ball.
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You may place your hands over your child's hands as he attempts to catch a ball. Help him bring his hands together as the ball reaches him.
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Get your child to catch a beanbag instead and also practice throwing it into a large basket or box nearby.
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