Helping Your Preschooler Develop

Please read the following information about what children do at various times during childhood. Use the suggestions for each age group to help your child develop skills in thinking, use of muscles and communicating with others. Suggestions for toys and playthings are also included. It is normal if your child is ahead in some areas but still developing other skills. If you have any concerns or questions about this information, talk with your nurses or doctor.

Age 4 - What the child can do:

• Physical skills

___ Skips five to 10 steps; hops on one foot

___ Walks down stairs, using one foot and then the other

___ Draws a three-part person

___ Copies simple figures such as a cross

• Social and emotional skills:

___ When playing with children of his/her age, shares and takes turns

___ Plays simple board and card games with help from an adult

___ Uses "please" and "thank you" at the right times

___ Changes moods quickly

___ Has many fears

• Communication skills:

___ Tells stories. Stories often become "bigger" than what really happened

___ Sings simple songs

___ Uses four to five word sentences 

___Asks "why" often

• Thinking skills:

___ Knows how events of the day relate to time 

___ Has increased awareness and concern for others 

___ Sorts objects by shape, color or size 

___ Can talk about "same" and "different"

• Self-help skills:

___ Manages a spoon and fork neatly while eating

___ Dresses and undresses with little help 

___ Brushes teeth

___ Cares for self after going to the bathroom (may need help with wiping after bowel movement)

• Teach child about safety:

___Street safety - rules for pedestrian

___Stranger danger

___At risk for falls, burns and motor vehicle accidents

___Bicycle safety such as use of helmet and traffic areas

___Use of seat belt

• What parents can do:

___Provide play materials such as simple lacing cord or cloth, large string with beads, building pieces

___Provide times when child can copy figures using variety of art materials

___Provide simple board and card games; teach child game in simple terms and allow playing time

___Use manners yourself and notice when child uses manners

___TV or screen time should be limited to 2 hours a day of age appropriate programs

___Talk about "what will happen next" in child's day

___Notice your child's worries about others and self. Let child act out fears through pretend play

___Take pleasure in child's stories. Encourage child to say more with statements such as "and then what happened?"

___Help child with self care as needed. Watch that child is thoroughly brushing his/her teeth

___Praise a child's efforts to take care of his/her needs in the bathroom

• Toys and equipment which are helpful to child of this age:

___Construction sets with smaller pieces, hand and finger puppets, workbench and "tools", magnet sets, magnifying glass, musical instruments such as xylophone, harmonica, games such as Candyland, Picture Lotto, simple "matching" card games

Age 5 - What the child can do:

• Physical skills:

___ Throws and catches ball well

___ Runs fast and can change directions

___ Stands first on one foot and then the other with eyes closed

___ Draws a six-part person

___ Cuts out picture following a general shape

• Social and emotional skills:

___ Tries to please others 

___ Very "busy" and hardworking; likes to start and finish tasks 

___ Has good manners most of the time

• Communication skills:

___ Names four or more colors

___ Names coins

___ Asks meaning of words

___ Tells a familiar story to adults

___ Uses all parts of speech (noun, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, etc)

• Thinking skills:

___ Matching simple words

___ Asks questions about facts and places to know more

___ Talks about thoughts

• Self-help skills:

___ Fixes sandwich by him/herself

___ Zips front-opening clothing

___ Goes to bed without help

___ Usually sleeps through night without wetting bed

• Teach child about safety: 

___Be alert to child interaction with animals and pets

___Street safety - obey traffic signals and do not play in street

___Stranger danger

___At risk for falls, burns and motor vehicle accidents

___Bicycle safety such as use of helmet and traffic areas

___Use of seat belts

___ How to handle scissors (pointed end away from face; avoid giving to someone when walking or running)

• What parents can do:

___Continue to provide creative materials for drawing, include simple stencil forms, blunt-edge scissors, non-toxic color markers, paper and paste

___Let child help adults as able. Plan for and allow time for child to finish tasks

___Praise child for his / her efforts

___Encourage child to share information Use "tell me about..." statements with child

___Talk about colors, names, numbers and shapes with child

___Explain new words as simply as possible

___Join your child in learning new things

___Allow child choices in food and clothing, as much as possible

___Don't get upset with bed wetting (which still occurs with some children this age)

• Toys and equipment which are helpful to child of this age:

___Jigsaw puzzles, boards with stick-on geometric shapes, stickers and sticker books, stencil sets, Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs, more detailed books, string and bead sets, construction paper, paste, blunt scissors, smaller brushes with more art supplies, sturdy tape / record players with music, miniature figures such as people, cars and animals