Unit of Bala Mandir Kamaraj Trust
Four-and-a-Half – Five Years
Social Play
Safety Tips – Stranger Danger!
- Teach children essential safety rules as they spend more time away from home, such as staying close to adults in public and holding hands when crossing streets.
- Educate children about the risks of talking to or accepting gifts from strangers. Emphasise that they should never wander off with someone new or separate from their parents in unfamiliar places.
- Show children familiar landmarks and signs in their neighbourhood. Encourage them to memorise their parents’ phone numbers and address to help them find their way home if needed.
WHAT
Children at this age need their own space and enjoy playing independently. They ask questions about complex concepts like birth and death.
WHY
Like adults, children require alone time to internalise important concepts and develop their sense of self.
HOW
Ensure your child has dedicated time alone, especially if there are younger siblings. Answer their questions patiently and honestly to help them understand the world.
WHAT
Children refine gross motor skills like running, hopping, and throwing, and improve fine motor skills such as using scissors and drawing shapes.
WHY
Physical development supports overall health, coordination, and confidence.
HOW
Encourage daily physical activity through play and provide opportunities for free play as well as structured activities in a safe environment.
WHAT
Children form close friendships, learn cooperation, and show empathy. They begin to understand social rules and express emotions effectively.
WHY
Developing these skills helps children build strong relationships and navigate social situations confidently.
HOW
Encourage empathy and support friendships by providing opportunities for social interaction. Be available to reassure them and help them navigate complex emotions, teaching basic conflict resolution skills like taking turns and saying sorry.
WHAT
By five, children typically count to twenty or higher, write alphabets and numbers, spell their name, and read time on a clock.
WHY
Their pre-literacy and math skills are rapidly developing, allowing them to understand and apply concepts like simple fractions through everyday activities.
HOW
Use daily activities to teach math concepts, such as counting during meals. Engage them with number rhymes and songs. Avoid pushing academics; instead, follow their interests and maintain the joy of learning.
WHAT
Children enjoy singing, dancing, rhyming, and making up actions and words. Their vocabulary and thought process grow, allowing them to answer simple questions logically and express feelings more effectively.
WHY
Music, dance, action, and rhythm are key tools for learning and self-expression.
HOW
Encourage creativity and self-expression through music and dance. Use songs and rhymes to teach new languages and support language development.
Health & Hygiene
- Hand Hygiene: Encourage regular hand washing with soap for 20 seconds, especially after using the toilet, before meals, and after coughing or sneezing.
- Bathing and Personal Care: Ensure daily bathing or showering, making sure all body parts are cleaned and dried thoroughly. Never leave a child under 5 alone in the bath.
- Oral Hygiene: Teach children to brush their teeth twice daily with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and to floss regularly.
- Toilet Use: Continue to support independent toilet use, reminding them to wipe properly and wash hands afterward.
Nutrition
- Diverse Diet: Encourage a balanced diet with a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy products.
- Healthy Snacks: Offer nutritious snacks like fruits, nuts, or carrot sticks with hummus. Limit snacks high in sugar, salt, or unhealthy fats.
- Hydration: Ensure children drink plenty of water throughout the day, aiming for about 5 cups daily. Avoid sugary drinks like soda and limit fruit juice to no more than 125 mL per day.
Safety
- Independence and Safety Awareness: Continue to teach children essential safety rules as they spend more time away from home, such as staying close to adults in public and holding hands when crossing streets.
- Stranger Danger: Reinforce the importance of not talking to or accepting gifts from strangers, and never leaving with someone new or unfamiliar.
- Street Safety: Continue to emphasize road safety, such as looking both ways before crossing and staying on designated paths.
- Personal Information: Ensure they remember their address, parents’ names, and contact numbers to help them find their way home if needed.
- School Safety: Remind them to never leave school with anyone except their parents or authorised caregivers.
Special Attention
Consult your doctor if, by five years, your child shows any of the following signs of possible developmental delay:- Does not engage in play with friends or siblings, showing little interest in social interactions.
- Does not express creativity through words, art, or crafts, and seems uninterested in imaginative activities.
- Avoids both indoor and outdoor physical activities, showing no enthusiasm for movement or play.
- Struggles to follow daily routines at home or in school, leading to frustration or confusion.
- Does not follow simple rules or instructions, even when explained clearly.
- Never shows anxiety or caution around new people or environments, which could indicate a lack of emotional regulation.