by Riley MacDonell

Created on: September 27, 2009

I work in a daycare where the children's ages range from six weeks to roughly six years. I've worked extensively with every age group and within each group there are always pros and cons. With the infants, as adorable as they can be, it's very all-or-nothing. When they're sleeping the room is peaceful and quiet. The lights are turned off, a soft breeze rolls in through the open window; all that I can see is their little chests rising and falling and all that I can hear is the low, melodic whisper of their tiny snores. And then before you know it the room is transformed from this Zen safe haven to a chaotic madhouse. The room fills with desperate wails, the lights flash on; they're either hungry or soiled, lonely or frightened.

Working with the toddlers is a much different task. They're beginning to use the potty and by the time they're three years old have fully (or almost fully) mastered the art of controlling all of their bodily functions. They don't have as limited a vocabulary as the one-year-olds but they're not quite as vocal as the Threes. They are a fun group to have a simple, lighthearted conversation with but can be bears if they don't take a nap and will fight you over just about anything. They are called the Terrible Twos for a reason, after all.

My favorite class of all is the preschool class. I spend most of my time each day with the preschool children and I find that they are the easiest age to relate to. They're fun, they're talkative, and they're right about everything whether you like it or not: they're like teenagers but much easier to control. At this age the children are really beginning to show their true colors; each has their own unique quirks and personality that will only strengthen with time.

This is the age group where parents who wish to give their children a head start on school, sports and other extracurricular activities begin taking their children to various lessons and sports events to prepare for later life. One or two of these activities a week are fine, although not necessary if your child is getting the proper socialization already through either a daycare, preschool or playgroup type setting. More important than the age of your child is their maturity level when it comes to a good time to begin extracurricular activities and how many to have them participate in. If your child has a hard time paying attention or focusing on one thing for a short period of time, it might not be the right time to start them in a vigorous

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