36-42 Months: Preschoolers in Motion -- Observation Record

How does the preschooler show improved body control as she participates in new play activities?

Preschoolers' increased balance and coordination help them move with greater stability and confidence. Since they no longer have to think so hard about how to move their bodies, they can focus on enjoying the activities and the people they play with.

The preschooler might do one or more of the following:

• Master her tricycle–steer well and use the pedals.
• Climb with abandon–confidently climb the jungle gym.
• Move well to music–gallop, run, walk, jump, and wiggle, going fast or slow in time with the music.
• Get ready for soccer–kick a ball with increasing accuracy.
• Toss the ball–throw the ball overhand.

In what ways does this preschooler move with more skill? (Include dates.)

How does the preschooler show increased skill in using her hands for a variety of activities?

Preschoolers now engage in complex, multistep finger activities for longer periods of time. They can plan their activities with more purpose as they explore and mess about with the many building and construction materials and art media available to them.

The preschooler might do one or more of the following:

• Sign her work–make marks at the bottom of her painting and announce that it's her name.
• Get a better grip–hold her writing and art tools in a more adult-like grasp.
• Sing along–participate in songs and finger plays, both familiar and new ones.
• Put them together–fit together a wide variety of manipulatives such as connecting blocks, pop beads, puzzles, pegboards, stringing beads.
• Dress her doll–dress her doll in simple clothes like socks, hat, and shoes.

How does this preschooler show new skills in using her hands? (Include dates.)

In what ways does the preschooler participate in self-help activities?

Three-year-olds use their hands to accomplish many self-help tasks as well as to participate in housekeeping activities. They are increasingly independent and understand routines and procedures. They want to be a part of everything.

The preschooler might do one or more of the following:

• Take care–feed the classroom pet with little help.
• Put it back–participate in cleanup by putting things away in their assigned storage space.
• Swing that broom–sweep up the sand that spilled around the sand table.
• Brush on her own–brush her teeth successfully with little assistance.
• Wash up–wash her hands all by herself after toileting and before meals.

What are some of the self-help activities in which this preschooler participates? (Include dates.)