Your 4-Year-Old: A Better Grasp of Time

A Better Grasp of Time

By now you probably have your child's daily routines down pat. You may have noticed that things run more smoothly when everyone has clear expectations for what happens next. But did you know that this is also helping your child gain mastery over his understanding of time? It may be a couple more years before he can read a clock, but your references to time are teaching him that time is the way the day is organized.
小馨現在對時間還沒有概念：明天、今天晚上、這星期六、晚上10點...但是由於她喜歡小梅子卡通，所以當洗完澡後小梅子開始時，就是10點，但她還沒有很清楚。有時早上不想起床上學，我就會跟她說，今天星期x，再過幾天就星期六，就可以不用上學了，但她還不是很瞭解。

Your 4-year-old now
Following routines does more than provide structure; it also helps a preschooler learn about time and sequence. By age 4, children are able to follow familiar routines on their own. In fact, they thrive on the security and order they provide. You might notice that after a bath, your child automatically reaches for his toothbrush, for example. Or he may bound to the couch for a book as soon as his pajamas are on.
生活上的規律事件的確讓她比較有秩序，洗澡時刷牙、然後穿衣、睡覺前要媽媽講故事...生活就是這樣，日復一日，放學後等著把拔馬麻來接她，日子一天一天過!

His understanding of the past, present, and future will become clearer this year. He grasps now that night follows morning and that "tomorrow" is the very next day. If he can't do it already, he'll soon be able to gauge the difference between "in a few minutes" and "in an hour."
但是她對於時間長短的掌握還不是很明確，有時跟她說「等一下」，可是實際才過了幾秒，就問我「好了沒」，或許未來一年她能夠更清楚認知「時間」的概念。

To reinforce these concepts, try to stick to daily routines and discuss the day's plans with your child: "After we get dressed and have breakfast, we'll go to the library. We can stay for an hour; then it will be time for your haircut." Refer to specific times along with events, even though your child can't yet tell time: "At 3 o'clock, when your sister comes home from school, we can go ride bikes."
上次帶她去看「穿長靴的貓」，因為太早跟她說，讓她有了期待，因此每隔一段時間就問我一次，還有冰淇淋工廠也是，一直問我何時會帶她去...對於「時間」，最好的方法就是用特定事件來標記，讓她清楚認知放學接她回家後的時間，會帶她出去玩/買東西...
Try keeping a family calendar to count down the days to special events. Start about a week ahead — longer intervals don't make sense at this age. And encourage your preschooler's interest in leafing through his baby pictures — looking into the past is another way 4-year-olds gain perspective on time.
哈！我們家客廳有一串鑰匙鏈相片，就是小馨剛出生時的照片，她有時會自己說，那是她還小的時候，現在已經很大了....哈哈！現在她四歲，她會說以前我還小的時候，真是可愛！

Your life now
Most kids from ages 4 to 8 should ride in a booster seat in the car. But you don't need to make the switch automatically once your child turns 4 — his size is a better indicator. Check the weight limits on the label of your child's five-point car safety seat. As long as he fits in it, that's the safest way for him to ride.

When your child outgrows the car safety seat, make sure he sits on a booster seat every time — and always in the back. An air bag is more of a danger than a protection to someone of such small stature. Always use the booster seat with a shoulder as well as a lap belt. Most booster seats accommodate weights between 40 and 60 pounds.
安全座椅現在對小馨來說已經習慣了！她知道那是她的座位，我們也很高興能夠堅持使用安全座椅、不妥協，之前她還小，不願意被束縛在安全座椅上，現在已經能接受不再抗拒了！