Developmental Milestones
3 years
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Communication: By age 3 your child should be able to correctly point to different body parts such as nose, eyes, and ears. They should be making sentences that are three or four words long, be able to follow directions like, “put the book on the table” or “under the chair,” and should know their full name.
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Motor Skills: At this age, your child should be able to jump with both feet leaving the floor, kick and throw a ball, and walk up stairs. They should be able to string small items, such as beads, on a string, as well as copy you drawing a line or a circle and cut paper with child-safe scissors.
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Problem Solving: Around age 3 your child should be able to repeat numbers back to you, such as “five eight three.” They should also be able to copy you when you show them how to build a bridge with blocks, or line up blocks in a row.
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Personal Social: At this age your child should be able to feed herself with a spoon with little spilling. She should start to be able to put on a coat or shirt by herself, recognize herself in the mirror, and take turns (for example, to use the slide at the playground) by waiting while another child takes a turn.
4 years
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Communication: Around 4 years old, your child should be able to name items from a common category and answer questions about their daily routine. They should also be able to describe objects in more detail and begin using correct tenses in their sentences.
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Motor Skills: At 4, your child should be able to throw overhand and catch a ball with both hands as well as climb up a ladder to go down a slide on their own. You child should also be able to maintain balance while standing or hopping on one foot. Additionally, your child should begin to work on putting together a small puzzle, color more closely within the lines, and copy shapes they see.
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Problem Solving: Around 4 years of age, your child should be able to repeat numbers back to you, such as “six nine two.” Your child should be able to distinguish shapes by size and color.
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Personal-Social: Your child should begin serving themselves and washing/drying their own hands. Additionally, your child should begin to identify themselves (e.g. their first and last name, age, etc) and be able to dress/undress and brush teeth without help.
5 years
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Communication: Around age 5, your child should be able to follow directions and respond with 4-5 word sentences with correct tenses. Your child should also begin using comparison words when describing different objects or people.
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Motor Skills: At around 5 years, your child should be able to throw and catch a ball, balance on either foot, walk on their tiptoes and skip. Additionally, your child should be able to trace a basic shape and draw people, shapes and letters.
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Problem Solving: Your child should be able to distinguish shapes by color and size and count consecutively. Your child should be able to name numbers if seen and complete describing sentences.
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Personal-Social: At 5, your child should be able to serve themselves, wash and dry their hands, dress and undress independently and use the toilet by themselves. Additionally, your child should be learning to share and take turns with other children.