Developmental
Milestones
Preschool: 3 to 5 yrs.
Physical Development
(Preschool)
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Changes in body proportions (legs & arms
lengthen)
Average yearly increase in height of 2 ½ to 3
inches/year
Fine motor skills develop; dexterity improves
Favorite activities are usually physical
By 5 yrs.- consistent hand preference
May tie shoes & draw alphabet letters
Intellectual Development
(Preschool)
Make-believe & dramatic play to imitate
real life (play house, play school)
 Difficult to concentrate on more than
one aspect at a time
 Learns to count; one-to-one
correspondence
 Identifies letters & numbers; classifies
into groups
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Language Development
(Preschool)
By 4 yrs.- Uses complete sentences;
asks many questions
 Adult-like speech patterns; expanding
vocabulary
 Starts to master “f” & “v” sounds
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Emotional Development
(Preschool)
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Improved verbal skills help them to better
express themselves
*Not completely able to distinguish fantasy
from reality; many fears
May physically show anger
By 4 yrs.- Basic behavior pattern of most
children is clear
Live up to expectations ( be careful of
“labeling”)
Social Development (Preschool)
Moves from parallel play to cooperative
play (with groups of 3 to 4 children)
 4 to 5 yrs. May single out “best friend”
 Learns how to get along in groups –
sharing, taking turns, solving simple
problems
 May be bossy, inconsiderate
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Moral Development (Preschool)
Rigid sense of “right” and “wrong”
 Concept of “fairness”
 Behavior to avoid punishment & gain
rewards
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