The pre-school years will see your child at his most interactive and eager to learn. Before 'formal' education begins, there's lots of fun and games to be had around the home that will stand him in excellent stead once he starts school.

It's amazing how household chores can be turned into a captivating activity for a curious toddler – and how beneficial it can be for their development. Setting your little one simple jobs around the home will not only boost their esteem and confidence, it will help them take on-board the need to follow instructions and complete simple tasks which will benefit them hugely when they start school. Pre-schoolers are desperate to please, and constantly seek praise and approval, so assigning your son or daughter safe and easy challenges will make them feel grown-up and valued – just remember to

Pre-school Timeline

3 ½ – Your three year old will be becoming much more sociable and interacting well with other children and will want to make friends – they may even be cottoning on to the concepts of sharing and taking turns!

4 – Your four year old will be enjoying arts and craft activities more now they can use instruments with more control and precision, like cutting straight lines with scissors and holding pencils correctly!

4 ½ – Your little one will be very interested in the world around him by four and a half, and exploring and identifying things in nature and the great outdoors – keep his interest up with relevant books and games!

5 – By five your little one can play simple ball games and take on board rules and scoring – time to get that toy golf set or football out!

Toys for Pre-schoolers

From around three, your toddler will be able to recognise some letters and numbers, so games based around flash cards or letter and number building-blocks are ideal to further develop their numeracy and literacy understanding, but at this age is it vitally important that everything is a game – turn it into a lesson and boredom will prevail!

Number skills can also be enhanced through play and activities based baking and shopping. Children of this age love to imitate and 'copy' mummy and daddy, and by letting them take on 'responsibilities' such as measuring out and weighing the sugar when baking, or 'putting five chocolate buttons on the cake' or picking out six apples at the greengrocers will be both fun, educational and help to build independence.

Play should be something the whole family enjoys and are a part of, including other siblings, grandparents and friends – it is a bonding experience between adult and child, and vital for little ones to gain those all important social skills. Traditional family games like cards, hide and seek, and charades can all be adapted to suit different age groups, and will help children think on their feet, play as part of a team, and have confidence in group settings.

And as your child grows, introducing them to a wider range of activities and friendship-groups outside the home is paramount, and of course another fantastic building block for a smooth transition from pre-schooler to schoolchild!

Top Tip:

Prepare your child for pre-school or nursery with classroom role play – get those dolls and teddies on the mat for their morning breaks and afternoon story! Let your little one be the teacher and teach YOU all they know! Promote school in a fun way, and when at organised playgroups and pre-school activity classes, tell your little one how similar – and how much fun – 'real school' will be!

Did you know?

Pre-school classes and activity centres aren't just great for widening tots' social circles and stimulating educational development – they're a great way for mums to make new friends, too.