Understanding Children Kindergarten

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Understanding ChildrenKindergarten 3 to 5 Years

• Presented by
• Donna J. Habenicht, Ed.D.

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The Fun Years
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First Spiritual Lessons
As the mother teaches her children to obey her
because they love her, she is teaching them the
first lessons in the Christian life. The
mothers love represents to the child the love
of Christ, and the little ones who trust and obey
their mother are learning to trust and obey the
Savior. Ellen G. White The Desire of
Ages, p. 515
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Growing Physically

• Growing rapidly
• Use large muscles
• Active, energetic, easily tired
• Usually independent
• Prone to accidents
• Farsighted
• Most can sing

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Growing Mentally

• Talkative
• Realistic thinkers
• Learn specifics
• Eager to learn
• Memorize quickly
• Easily distracted
• Curious, questioner
• Tend to be one-track

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Growing Mentally - 2

• Imaginative, love stories
• Self-centered
• Not capable of group discussion
• Limited understanding of time, space, numbers,
  money, natural laws.
• Getting ready to learn to read and write.
• Believe what adults tell them.

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Growing Socially

• Beginning friendships
• Enjoy playing with other children
• Imaginary playmates
• Conformists
• Learning to share
• Usually cooperative
• Like grown-up play

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Growing Socially - 2

• Like adults. Want to please them.
• 3s usually play alone or parallel. 4s and 5s
  learning cooperative play.
• Eager to grow up and get to next birthday.
• Like to dress up like adults and imitate adults.

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Growing Emotionally

• Intense feelings
• Many fears
• Need calmness
• Want to be in center
• Usually optimistic
• Naturally sympathetic
• Want to be big
• Self-confidence

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Planning Sabbath School for Kindergarten

• Include large and small motor activities and
  manipulatives.
• Alternate active and quieter activities.
• Maintain routines still need repetition.
• Use familiar ideas, but also challenge.
• Use stories, music, drama.
• Use concrete words and ideas.
• Use only skills children have mastered.

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Doing Sabbath School with Kindergartners

• Keep a loving, calm, happy atmosphere.
• Keep structure and order predictable.
• Check on childrens understanding.
• Allow plenty of time for an activity.
• Help children learn social skills.
• Avoid frightening noises and situations.
• Be organized no gaps. Have lots of help.

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Enjoy!