General Developmental Sequence Toddler through Preschool
This page presents typical activities and
achievements for children from two to five years of age.
It is important to keep in mind that the time frames
presented are averages and some children may achieve
various developmental milestones earlier or later than
the average but still be within the normal range.
This information is presented to help parents understand
what to expect from their child. Any questions you may
have about your child's development should be shared
with his doctor or teacher.
There are many programs available touting to raise IQ
and speed up child development in general. Research
shows that the key to healthy child development is the
amount of time children spend time with their parents
having fun and learning at the same time. Electronic
input for children of this age should be limited to no
more than 2 hours per day (that includes "educational"
programs). Here are some suggestions: Activities for
Toddlers & Parents. Reading to children develops
language skill and pre-reading skills. You will find
these resources on reading to children to help you make
the most of this special time. Here is a great preschool
book list.
Children at this stage also need lots of playtime. This
includes playing alone, with peers and with their
parents. Please see our articles on "Play the Work of a
Child." Here are suggestions for Toys & Games for this
crowd. Listening to music and playing with musical toys
is also great. Finally, get our kids playing outside as
much as possible. Just a couple of well chosen outdoor
play items such as these Outdoor Fun can lead to hours
of fun, exploration and physical development.
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Physical Development
Walks well, goes up and down steps alone, runs,
seats self on chair, becoming independent in
toileting, uses spoon and fork, imitates
circular stroke, turns pages singly, kicks ball,
attempts to dress self, builds tower of six
cubes.
Emotional Development
Very Self-centered, just beginning a sense of
personal identity and belongings, possessive,
often negative, often frustrated, no ability to
choose between alternatives, enjoys physical
affection, resistive to change, becoming
independent, more responsive to humor and
distraction than discipline or reason.
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Age 2
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Social Development
Solitary play, dependent on adult guidance,
plays with dolls, refers to self by name,
socially very immature, little concept of others
as "people." May respond to simple direction.
Intellectual Development
Says words, phrases and simple sentences, 272
words, understands simple directions, identifies
simple pictures, likes to look at books, short
attention span, avoids simple hazards, can do
simple form board.
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Physical Development
Runs well, marches, stands on one foot briefly,
rides tricycle, imitates cross, feeds self well,
puts on shoes and stockings, unbuttons and
buttons, build tower of 10 cubes. Pours from
pitcher.
Emotional Development
Likes to conform, easy going attitude, not so
resistive to change, more secure, greater sense
of personal identity, beginning to be
adventuresome, enjoys music.
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Age 3
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Social Development
Parallel play, enjoys being by others, takes
turns, knows if he is a boy or girl, enjoys
brief group activities requiring no skill, likes
to "help" in small ways--responds to verbal
guidance.
Intellectual Development
Says short sentences, 896 words, great growth in
communication, tells simple stories, uses words
as tools of thought, wants to understand
environment, answers questions, imaginative, may
recite few nursery rhymes
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Physical Development
Skips on one foot, draws "Man", cuts with
scissors (not well), can wash and dry face,
dress self except ties, standing broad jump,
throws ball overhand, high motor drive.
Emotional Development
Seems sure of himself, out-of bounds behavior,
often negative, may be defiant, seems to be
testing himself out, needs controlled freedom.
Age 4
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Age 4
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Social Development
Cooperative play, enjoys other children's
company, highly social, may play loosely
organized group games - tag, duck-duck-goose,
talkative, versatile.
Intellectual Development
Uses complete sentences, 1540 words, asks
endless questions, learning to generalize,
highly imaginative, dramatic, can draw
recognizable simple objects.
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Physical Development
Hops and skips, dresses without help, good
balance and smoother muscle action, skates,
rides wagon and scooter, prints simple letters,
handedness established, ties shoes, girls small
muscle development about 1 year ahead of boys.
Emotional Development
Self-assured, stable, well-adjusted,
home-centered, likes to associate with mother,
capable, of some self-criticism, enjoys
responsibility. Likes to follow the rules.
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Age 5
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Social Development
Highly cooperative play, has special "friends",
highly organized, enjoys simple table games
requiring turns and observing rules, "school",
feels pride clothes and accomplishments, eager
to carry out some responsibility.
Intellectual Development
2,072 words, tells long tales, carries out
direction well, reads own name, counts to 10,
asks meaning of words, knows colors, beginning
to know difference between fact and
fiction-lying, interested in environment, city,
stores, etc.
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