Is full of energy and is able to plan and take initiative independently in doing simple activities all by himself.
Wants to try his hand at everything. If he does not get his way he gets frustrated easily and goes into tantrums. This stage is mostly evident for a frequent display of aggression. So both parents and teachers have to help the child realize what is permissible and what is not. Then he needs help to direct all his energy and initiative towards acceptable activities.
Requires one-to-one contact with an adult. Still the child does not have the skills for effective functioning in large groups. Hence the young children seek physical reassurance by touching, patting and holding onto the teacher’s hand, the older child is happy even with verbal attention.
The play pattern changes from solitary to associative and co-operative play.
The 3 to 4 year olds begin to carry out more of associative play, i.e., they play with other children, are able to share materials to a limited extent, but are not able to merge their individual interests to those of the group.
By four and a half to six years of age the child gets involved more in cooperative play. He plays in a group situation in which there is a common goal. There is a marked division of labour and each child has a definite role to play for example, organizing a doll’s wedding.
Develops concept of gender, Sex-roles stereotypes (i.e. differences in expected behavior and roles of boys and girls) are also formed around this stage.
If children do not get a secure and warm environment at home or if they have undergone any stressful experience, they often develop behavior disorders for example, unusually aggressive behavior, withdrawn or unusually shy behavior, undue anxiety, hyperactivity, regression (i.e. going back to earlier infantile forms of behavior for example bed-wetting, nail-biting etc). An understanding of the child’s problem by parents and teachers and a reassuring attitude help the child to overcome his anxieties and fears. Punishment is not desirable since it only adds to the child’s humiliation and anxiety.
For an ECE teacher it is therefore very necessary to familiarize herself with the home environment of every child in her care and maintain regular contact with the parents.
Participants