Amherst Community Church Child Care Center

Four-Year Olds

The four-year olds are the "seniors" of our child care center. Our four-year olds have developed confidence, friendships, routine, and independence. Each child will have his or her own level of development in these areas. Our four-year old room balances the children's need for independence with their continuing need for guidance and learning.

Fairness is a big issue with four-year olds. If something or someone is not following the rules, routines, or guidelines, they are sure to share this loudly. Children at this age have developed social skills, and it shows in their play. Play has become a fine dance of give and take. It is organized, and it has a purpose. Our four-year old room gives the children plenty of "free play" time to further develop these skills and have fun while doing so.

Social skills are still being mastered but have a strong foundation. The children realize that there is give and take in a relationship. They now are using their words to resolve any issues that develop with their friends. At four, some children may now realize that they can use words to hurt others, and our teachers are sure to give the children guidelines to show them the correct words to use when they disagree on certain issues.

Emotional development is still growing strong. The children understand their own feelings and the feelings of others. Empathy is beginning to form. The children want to make their friends feel better with a hug or kind word, and it may happen spontaneously, and without any adult interaction. The children's self-esteem is growing, and the children know how to express happiness or sadness and everything in between. Our teachers encourage the growth of these traits.

Physical development is becoming mastered. Their fine motor skills are finally developed, and they can hold not only crayons and markers but a pencil too. The children have developed their writing grip and are now forming some, if not all, of their letters. Most children will be capable of writing their name and some basic everyday words such as dog, my, cat, mom, and so on. Hand and eye coordination is developing. The children can use scissors and now follow a line when cutting. We provide daily art activities to help the children master these skills.

As far as large muscle development, four-year old children want to challenge what they have mastered. Running, hopping, galloping, climbing, and skipping are now pushed to the limit so the children can see how far they can push their skills. Our four year-olds get plenty of time to play outdoors, weather permitting, and in our Large Muscle Room, to get exercise and to further their physical development.

Cognitive skills are always being challenged. Teachers of four-year olds tend to be amazed at what the children already know. The children are ready for some higher-level of thinking such as prediction, sorting, and time, to mention just a few. The children have a firm understanding of 1-20 and can accomplish some basic addition and subtraction (such as 2+5=7). The children know their letters and sound and may be forming words (either sight word such as "dog" or "she," or use creative spelling such as light is liht).

The teachers will continue to expose the children to many concepts such as animals, colors, community helpers, insects, opposites, real vs. make believe, and basic time concepts (days of the week, morning vs. afternoon). Not every child in the four-year old room will master every concept that is taught in the classroom, but they will have had exposure to those concepts. When they advance to kindergarten and these concepts are reintroduced, it will be familiar for the child.

Amherst Community Church Child Care Center
77 Washington Highway, Amherst, New York 14226

Telephone: 716.834.9701 ~ Email: info@accccc.org