Welcome to Mrs. Hohenstein's Early Childhood Room

I am the Early Childhood Special Education teacher for the Jackson County Central District. We have two teachers in the program myself and Kim Paulson. We also have Marcia Geesman, a paraprofessional assisting us. In the ECSE program we service children ages 3-7 who demonstrate a delay in any of the developmental areas.  These areas include cognitive development ( preacademic knowledge),  motor development, speech and language, functional development, and behavioral development.  All children develop at a different rate.   Below are the general milestones for children ages 3-5.  .  If you have any concerns on your child's development, or if these milestones are not emerging, please contact me. Michelle_Hohenstein@jccschools.com
                                              

Motor Development

	Gross Motor Skills walks with an agile, almost adult style runs around obstacles catches large balls and throws overhead climbs ladders; uses slide independently rides a tricycle alternates feet when climbing stairs
	Fine Motor Skills assembles simple puzzles manipulates clay; finger paints copies simple shapes, such as a cross or circle stacks blocks up to nine high

Language & Thinking Development

	understands most of what is said and 75 percent of speech is understandable
	speaks in complete sentences of three to five words
	matches pictures to objects
	learns by doing and through the senses
	understands concepts of "now," "soon," and "later"
	begins to recognize cause-and-effect relationships

Social & Emotional Development

	follows simple directions; enjoys helping with household tasks
	begins to recognize own limits--asks for help
	likes to play alone, but near other children
	does not cooperate or share well
	able to make choices between two things
	begins to notice other people’s moods and feelings

Motor Development

	Gross Motor Skills running is more controlled; can start, stop, and turn turns somersaults; hops on one foot; gallops can easily catch, throw, and bounce a ball can brush teeth, comb hair, wash, and dress with little assistance
	Fine Motor Skills copies crosses and squares prints some letters uses table utensils skillfully cuts on a line

Language & Thinking Development

	uses a 1,500-word vocabulary; speaks in relatively complex sentences ("Mommy opened the door and the dog ran out.")
	understands words that relate one idea to another--if, why, when
	continues to learn through experience and the senses
	understands, mostly, the difference between fantasy and reality
	understands number and space concepts – more, less, bigger, in, under, behind
	thinks literally; starting to develop logical thinking
	begins to grasp that pictures and symbols can represent real objects
	starts to recognize patterns among objects--round things, soft things, animals
	grasps the concepts of past, present, and future but does not understand the duration of time

Social & Emotional Development

• takes turns, shares, and cooperates
• expresses anger verbally rather than physically
• can feel jealousy
• may sometimes lie to protect herself, but understands the concept of lying
• enjoys pretending and has a vivid imagination

Motor Development

	Gross Motor Skills runs in an adult manner walks on tiptoe, broad jumps walks on a balance beam skates and jumps rope
	Fine Motor Skills hand preference is established laces (but cannot tie) shoes gasps pencil like an adult colors within lines cuts and pastes simple shapes

Language & Thinking Development

	speaks fluently; correctly uses plurals, pronouns, tenses
	very interested in words and language; seeks knowledge
	understands and names opposites
	uses complex language
	still confuses fantasy and reality at times
	thinking is still naïve; doesn’t use adult logic

Social & Emotional Development

	distinguishes right from wrong, honest from dishonest, but does not recognize intent
	plays make-believe and dresses up
	mimics adults and seeks praise
	seeks to play rather than be alone; friends are important
	plays with both boys and girls but prefers the same sex
	wants to conform; may criticize those who do not

Remember that these milestones represent averages, not rigid developmental deadlines. Children move through these changes at varying rates, some sooner, others later. You’re the best judge of your child’s development and what is "normal" for him/ her.

source:SchwabLearning.org