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Preschooler Development Milestones
Here is a quick view of preschooler development milestones to help you keep track of your son's development.
Gross Motor Skills
3-Year-Olds 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 stairs4-Year-Olds 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 assistance5-Year-Olds runs in an adult manner
walks on tiptoe, broad jumps
walks on a balance beam
skates and jumps rope
Fine Motor Skills
3-Year-Olds assembles simple puzzles
manipulates clay; finger paints
copies simple shapes, such as a cross or circle
stacks blocks up to nine high4-Year-Olds copies crosses and squares
prints some letters
uses table utensils skillfully
cuts on a line5-Year-Olds hand preference is established
laces (but cannot tie) shoes
grasps pencil like an adult
colors within lines
cuts and pastes simple shapes
Language and Thinking Development
3-Year-Olds 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
4-Year-Olds 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 time5-Year-Olds 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 and Emotional Development
3-Year-Olds 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 feelings4-Year-Olds takes turns, shares, and cooperates
expresses anger verbally rather than physically
can feel jealousy
may sometimes lie to protect himself, but understands the concept of lying
enjoys pretending and has a vivid imagination5-Year-Olds 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
Your are looking for more than preschooler development milestones? Check out our
parenting preschoolers page!
Click here to go from Preschooler Development Milestones to Child Development Stages
Click here to go from Preschooler Development Milestones
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