Tips for 4-H and Youth
By NORMA FLANAGAN 4-H Director

The world of the Preschooler is truly unique

Young children aren't just "miniature adults." Preschoolers actually approach and interpret the world from a very different viewpoint. And knowing how preschoolers approach the world can helps adults better understand and communicate with them.

A striking characteristic of many 3- to 5-year old's is their egocentrism, or their tendency to view the world only from their own point of view. Have you ever mediated a fight between two preschoolers? You might notice that neither child really understands the other child's side of the argument. If asked what someone else is feeling, typical preschoolers will describe what they themselves feel. Preschoolers who think and talk in egocentric ways are not intentionally being selfish; they genuinely believe that everyone shares their point of view and cannot imagine another perspective.

Preschoolers also tend to credit inanimate or lifeless objects with lifelike qualities, such as feelings and thoughts - a pattern of thinking knows as animism. To the young child, things that move are alive, like a piece of paper blown by the wind or a flowing stream. Animism occurs frequently in children's stories and fairy tales, such as the scarecrow who comes to life in The Wizard of Oz. Sometimes children cry if a favorite stuffed animal is kicked or callously tossed out of the way. This is a prime example of animism: the stuffed animal is hurt by such carelessness and abuse!

The preschooler's logic is faulty by adult standards. However, it is very reasonable to the young child. Rather than correct or argue with young children, it may be more useful to find positive ways to challenge children to change their ways of thinking. For example, you could help children to recognize cues that another child is feeling angry or upset, such as crying or yelling. By helping children recognize that others may have different ideas or perspectives, you will encourage them to develop compassion and empathy for others.