Age: About 3 years
Motor Skills
Climbs well.
Walks up and down stairs, alternating feet.
Runs with ease.
Pedals a tricycle.
Kicks a ball.
Feeds self.
Opens doors.
Washes and dries hands by self.
Makes vertical, horizontal, and circular strokes with a pencil or crayon.
Screws and unscrews lids, jars, nuts and bolts.
Turns a page in a book one at a time.
Cognitive Skills
- Attention span increases to about 3 minutes.
- Can remember what happened yesterday.
- Understands "now", "soon", and "later."
- Knows some numbers, but not necessarily in correct order.
- Completes puzzles with three or four pieces.
- Sorts objects by shape and color.
- Matches an object to a picture of that object.
- Laughs at silly ideas.
- Understands the concept of "one" and "two".
- Matches circles and squares.
- Understands physical relationships (on, under, over, in, out).
Social Skills and Language
- Uses three-five word sentences.
- Asks questions.
- Plays spontaneously with other children in a small group.
- Recognizes and understands most common objects and pictures.
- Repeats simple rhymes.
- Asks to use the toilet most times.
- Enjoys being read to.
- Imitates housework or other chores.
- Assigns roles in pretend play (mommy, daddy).
- Uses pronouns (I, you, me, we, and they) and some plurals.
- Knows her first and last name.
- Knows whether he is a boy or girl.
Age: About 4 years
Motor Skills
- Hops and stands on one foot for a few seconds.
- Catches a bounced ball much of the time.
- Tries to write name.
- Draws a face.
- Tries to cut paper with blunt scissors.
- Attempts to button, buckle and snap but usually needs help.
- Dresses and undresses doll in clothing with large zippers, snaps, and laces.
- Brushes teeth with help.
- Pours from a small pitcher.
- Can get himself started when on a swing and may be able to keep it moving.
- Tries to skip.
- Strings large objects.
- Begins to copy some letters.
Cognitive Skills
- Recognizes some colors.
- Wants to know what will happen next.
- Distinguishes between what is real and what is imaginary.
- Follow instructions with up to three commands (put the toys away, wash your hands, and get your coat).
- Identifies situations that could lead to happiness, sadness and anger.
- Colors with crayons or chalk.
- Counts up to five objects.
- Understands taking turns and may do so without being reminded.
- Understands "big," "little," "short," "tall".
- Can sort objects by shape or color.
Social Skills and Language
- Speaks clearly enough for strangers to understand.
- Has a large vocabulary and speaks in sentences of five or more words.
- Tells stories.
- Often prefers playing with other children.
- Wants explanations of "why" and "how".
- Changes the rules of play as he goes along.
- Likes to play "dress up."
- Separates from parent for short periods without crying.
- Beginning to master some basic rules of grammar (past tense, plurals).
- Shares when asked.
- Enjoys playing games like tag, hide and go seek, and duck duck goose.
- Likes to do things for himself.