A profile of a Nursery School Child


At the age of 3 years, the child is able to think logically. Learning is rapid as the child applies previous knowledge to new situations.
Language progresses as they learn new names for things, words for actions e.g. painting, grammer e.g. pronouns - you and me, and new concepts e.g. this colour is blue.
This is the age of Nursery School and learning through play.


Nursery School children learn co-ordination and control of their movements. They walk and run around obstacles, ride tricycles without bumping into others, climb up and down safely, jump, skip and hop. Physical outdoor play is an important part of learning. It gives fresh air, oxygen and sunshine. It provides space to run and develop co-ordination, balance, strength and stamina. Children learn to share and take turns with equipment. Large muscle movements and fine hand manipulative skills are connected. As their large muscle movements become more controlled so does fine hand manipulation. The only way to learn to use a paintbrush is to try painting. With confidence and practice physical skills progress well.

Three to four year olds learn by doing things. They need time to practice new skills and to perfect them. Using the hands is vital for learning. Building, working with dough and clay, using pencils and paintbrushes, cutting with scissors, exploring the tactile qualities of sand and water, fastening buttons and zips, and making jigsaws are some of the ways nursery school children develop hand eye co-ordination and control.

The children learn through the senses. They need brightly coloured attractive classrooms. They enjoy listening to music, singing and stories. Children need time to stay quiet to listen carefully. Tactile experiences in sand, water and malleable materials help learning. Children love to feel different textures and learn the words to describe them. Taste and smell are senses associated with food. They are part of the enjoyment of food. Nursery provides fun opportunities to try new foods and learn about other cultures.

By this age children talk in sentences and become more competent in speaking and listening. Their vocabulary increases and they learn concepts such as full and empty, up and down, under and over, colour, shape, size, number and letters. Children learn by using words and develop understanding. Learning is through play. Roleplay helps children make sense of the adult world and to explore new ideas. Songs and action rhymes help to reinforce new words and give enjoyment to the whole group. Snack time gives opportunities to develop social skill by sharing food together. Storytime shows children what fun books are. The nursery day is structured into routines that soon become familiar to the children and help them feel safe.

Going to Nursery School is a milestone. The child learns to socialise with other children and adults, and learn to share and to take turns. Preparation is important so every child feels secure in an unfamiliar place. Visits help and opportunities to meet the staff. Familiar things from the child's home life help to make them feel welcome. Pictures of children with similar skin tones, household objects and outfits from their culture in the roleplay area. Each child should feel welcome and valued. Each child's work should be displayed where everyone can admire their efforts. The most important thing they will learn is good self esteem and social skills to work with others.

    The social nursery school child:
  • develops co-ordination, strength, stamina, balance, spatial awareness
  • enjoys outdoor play with other children
  • learns to manipulate objects and use tools e.g. a pencil
  • learns through the senses or sight, sound, touch, smell and taste
  • learns through play
  • learns to share and take turns
  • understands more language and speaks in sentences
  • learns new words and concepts e.g. colour and shape
  • enjoys stories, songs and rhymes
  • feels safer in familiar surroundings
  • enjoys familiar routines
  • needs to feel valued and accepted as a unique individual

Please come and see each separate page for profiles of child development.

A NEWBORN BABY
come and see 		A YOUNG SOCIABLE BABY
come and see 		A MOBILE BABY EXPLORER
come and see 		AN INDEPENDENT TODDLER
come and see
A NURSERY SCHOOL CHILD
come and see 		AN INFANT SCHOOL PUPIL
come and see 		PROFILES INTRODUCTION
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