Development by Age 3
Physical

• Climbs upstairs and downstairs without support
• Throws a ball overhand, kicks ball
• Moves forward and backward with agility
• Rides tricycle; pedals
• Improved small motor control (holds pencil and utensils well)
• Can dress and undress self (may need help with zippers, buttons)
• Builds a tower of more than six blocks
• Bends over easily without falling
• Turns book pages one at a time

Cognitive

• Draws crude, but recognizable pictures
• Copies shapes (e.g. circles and squares)
• Speaks clearly enough that strangers can understand
• Speaks in sentences of three - five words
• Correctly names some colors
• Begins to understand concept of counting (may even know numbers)
• Listens to and recalls parts of a story
• Has mastered some basic rules of grammar (e.g. plurals)

Social and Emotional

• Can take turns in games
• Increasingly inventive in make-believe play
• Expresses affection
• Expresses a wide range of emotions
• Becomes more independent
• Objects to major changes in routine
• Starts to separate easily from parents
• Understands concept of "mine" and "his/hers"

Thoughts for Parents

• Be patient with toilet training. Accidents may still occur for a while.
• Encourage independence. Buy clothes that your child can pull on and off.
• Play make-believe with your child. Encourage a creative imagination.
• Allow your child to help with chores such as putting toys and clothes away, clearing the table and making the bed.
• Teach your child his first and last name.
• Read to your child and encourage your child to tell you stories. They enjoy cuddling and seeing colorful pictures while hearing the rhythm of your voice as you read.
• Play outside (throw and catch balls, ride a tricycle, play in a sand box). Encourage physical activity.
• Allow times for your child to finger-paint, draw on paper and other art activities.
• Let your child brush her teeth every day.
• Give your child choices and let them choose.
• Encourage your child to count items, name objects and tell what color things are.
• Although pre-school children are egocentric by nature, at age three, they can begin to understand the concept of sharing. Read tips for helping your child learn to share.

Development by 4 Years
Physical

• Runs, jumps, hops, somersaults, may be able to skip
• Throws and catches a ball
• Uses scissors
• Copies geometric shapes (circles, squares, triangles, etc.)
• Draws a person with some body parts
• Begins to copy capital letters
• Usually toilet-trained completely
• Brushes teeth
• Dresses and undresses self

Cognitive

• Recalls parts of a story, tells own story
• Says name and address
• Correctly names colors
• Understands concept of counting
• Asks questions (Why? How?)
• Speaks in sentences, five - six words
• Understands the concept of same/different
• Understands meanings of words
• Begins to have a clearer sense of time

Social and Emotional

• Shows more independence
• Shares with others
• Interested in new experiences
• Likes to sing, dance and act
• Likes to imagine and is able to distinguish fantasy from reality
• Plays "mom" or "dad"
• Learns to express sympathy
• Seeks out playmates
• Imagines that many unfamiliar images may be "monsters"
• More likely to agree to rules, can begin to understand games with rules

Thoughts for Parents

• Read to your child every day. Visit your local library and encourage your child to choose books.
• Encourage your child to tell you stories.
• Say nursery rhymes together. Sing songs.
• Allow your child to practice writing. Have your child copy shapes, letters and numbers.
• Foster your child's creativity by allowing her to paint and color. Provide materials such as play dough, chalk, glue and crayons. Allow your child to use scraps to make collages.
• Praise your child's accomplishments. Foster independence by encouraging self-reliance.
• Encourage physical activity by playing follow the leader (run, jump, hop, skip and swing).
• Provide multicultural experiences and foster an attitude of acceptance for diversity.
• Expand dramatic play by providing a variety of props for themes such as grocery store, beauty salon, restaurant and birthday parties.
• Success in school readiness involves good health, being socially and emotionally mature, having good language, problem solving and creative thinking skills and a general knowledge about the world. Learn tips to help your child prepare.

• Can run, hop, skip, jump, swing and climb
• Favors one hand over the other
• Has increased poise and coordination
• Begins to lose baby teeth and acquire secondary teeth
• Dresses and undresses with little assistance (can button and zip)
• Ascends stairs with alternating feet
• Can throw and possibly catch a ball
• Prints some letters
• Draws person with body

Cognitive

• Knows full name, address and age
• Knows basic colors
• Can repeat stories and likes to tell stories
• Can usually separate fact from fantasy
• Better understands the concept of time
• Uses future tense
• Speaks sentences of more than five words
• Loves to learn
• Knows about things used every day in the home (money, food, appliances)

Social and Emotional

• Has basic sense of right and wrong
• Cooperates and takes turns, but doesn't always like to
• Can be bossy
• Aware of sexuality
• Wants acceptance from friends
• Shows even more independence
• Understands when he/she is being praised or punished
• Likes to sing, dance and act
  Sometimes demanding

Thoughts for Parents

• Provide space and opportunities for your child to run, hop, skip, jump and use other large motor skills.
• Give your child opportunities to sort, count and match items in the house. Let him help match socks in the laundry, count the number of settings at the table, etc.
• Help your child learn to follow rules by playing simple games in a small group.
• Listen to your child. Ask and answer questions. Be honest with your child.
• Be understanding of your child's fears and anxieties. Reassure your child's safety and give lots of comfort.
• Give your child praise for good deeds and accomplishments. Be specific (e.g. "You did a great job putting the toys away!").
• Provide a place for your child to be alone and have privacy.
• Help your child to express feelings with "I" messages (e.g. "I feel angry", "I feel sad", etc.).
• The transition from child care to kindergarten can be scary for children. Entering a new school with unfamiliar faces can produce terror and clinging in a youngster who was happy and independent in child care. Learn tips to make the adjustments easier.