Case Study: Maya, a 4-year-old

Child Profile

Maya is a vibrant, energetic four-year-old attending a local preschool. She is an only child living with her parents in a suburban area.

Developmental Milestones

Physical Development:

• Gross motor skills: Maya can run, jump, climb, and throw a ball with increasing coordination. This aligns with Piaget’s sensorimotor stage, where children explore the world through physical interactions.
• Fine motor skills: She can hold a pencil, color within lines, and cut with scissors, demonstrating improvements in hand-eye coordination.
• Physical growth: Maya has shown steady growth in height and weight, following typical developmental patterns.

Social-Emotional Development:

• Maya is becoming increasingly independent, showing a desire to explore her environment and make choices. This aligns with Erikson’s autonomy vs. shame and doubt stage.
• She enjoys playing with other children and has developed friendships, demonstrating social competence.
• Maya can express a range of emotions, including happiness, sadness, and anger. She is beginning to understand and respond to the emotions of others.

Cognitive Development:

• Language skills: Maya has a vocabulary of approximately 300 words and can form simple sentences. She enjoys storytelling and engaging in pretend play, indicative of Piaget’s preoperational stage.
• Problem-solving: She can solve simple puzzles and match objects based on similarities, demonstrating developing cognitive abilities.
• Memory: Maya can recall events from the past and follow simple instructions, indicating improvements in memory and attention.

Notable Milestones and Developmental Theories

While Maya has achieved most age-appropriate milestones, she is still developing her ability to share toys and take turns with peers. This area aligns with Vygotsky’s social-cultural theory, which emphasizes the role of social interaction in cognitive development. Encouraging cooperative play and conflict resolution can support her growth in this area.

Intentional Teaching Strategies

To support Maya’s holistic development, the following strategies can be implemented:

• Physical development: Provide opportunities for gross motor activities, such as outdoor play and obstacle courses. Encourage fine motor skills through art and craft activities.
• Social-emotional development: Facilitate peer interactions through group activities and cooperative play. Model empathy and emotional regulation.
• Cognitive development: Engage in storytelling, puzzles, and problem-solving activities. Use open-ended questions to stimulate critical thinking.

Individualized Support:

• Given Maya’s challenge with sharing, specific activities focusing on turn-taking and cooperation can be incorporated into the daily routine.
• Encouraging empathy through role-playing and discussions about feelings can also be beneficial.

Link to EYLF/NQS

The provided strategies align with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and National Quality Standards (NQS) by promoting holistic child development, creating supportive learning environments, and building positive relationships with children and families.