Briefly explain the causes of variations in growth during the preschool years.

Hi Evelyn,

You want to concentrate on these four pillars:

• Social/emotional
• Physical
• Cognitive
• Language

These are what shape variation in children between the age of 3 to 5. Don't forget to read the attachment.

Social/Emotional Development

Social/emotional development during the preschool years is about socialization—the process by which children learn the values and behaviors accepted by society. It is also about becoming a competent and confident person.

Social and emotional competence are essential to children’s well-being and success, in school and in life. With the current focus on readiness, accountability, and high standards, there is always a danger that programs will focus only on academic content and ignore aspects of development that are equally important for achieving long lasting and positive results.

Physical Development

Physical development includes children’s gross (large muscle) and fine (small muscle) motor skills. Physical development is sometimes taken for granted in the early childhood classroom because it is often assumed that it happens automatically. Not only is this assumption untrue, but teachers need to remember that physical development is just as important to learning as every other area of development. 

With more advanced physical development, children master increasingly sophisticated tasks and gain personal responsibility for their own physical needs, such as dressing themselves. In addition, physical development, in many ways, promotes social/emotional development. As children learn what their bodies can do, they gain self-confidence. In turn, the more they can do, the more willing they are to try new and challenging tasks. Thus, a positive cycle, which effects learning overall, is established. 

Cognitive Development

Cognitive development refers to the mind and how it works. It involves how children think, how they see their world, and how they use what they learn.

Language Development

Language development includes understanding and communicating through words, spoken and written. Children are born with the capacity to communicate with others—verbally and non-verbally. By the time they reach preschool, their ability to communicate thoughts and feelings
through spoken language takes on new importance. Language becomes the principal tool for establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and other children.