The preschool years are very exciting. Kids this age are ready to explore more and do things on their own. Young preschoolers start to do more things by themselves, like getting dressed and using the bathroom. Older preschoolers can usually ride tricycles and bikes with training wheels. They also make friends and learn basic skills that help them get ready for school.
What are common things preschoolers learn to do?
Preschoolers grow a lot in many ways:
- Moving and doing. They get much better at moving their bodies.
- Thinking and talking. They learn to think and speak much faster.
- Feelings. They learn to handle their emotions better.
- Social skills. They get better at being with other people.
Around 3 years old:
Moving and doing
- Walk, run, jump, climb, and swing better
- Walk up stairs using both feet
- Use the toilet during the day with few accidents
- Unbutton buttons
Thinking and talking
- Learn and use many new words
- Understand numbers
- Name colours and body parts
- Point to details in pictures when asked
- Use three-word sentences
- Attention span is still fairly limited
Feelings
- Have strong emotions
- Use words to talk about their own and others’ feelings
- Try to comfort others
- Have trouble with feelings when tired or when things change
- Finds it easier to be away from parents
Social skills
- Play pretend games
- Start to see other kids as friends
- Have trouble sharing
- Sometimes push, hit, yell, or cry during play
- Copy what others do
- Start to be a little stubborn and say “no” more often
- Is able to wash their own hands
Around 4 years old:
Moving and doing
- Throw and catch a ball
- String beads, stack blocks, and use scissors
- Balance on one foot
- Can hop on one foot moving forwards
Thinking and talking
- Use more words
- Ask lots of questions
- Talk in full sentences
- Follow three-step instructions
- Can focus on one thing while ignoring other things around them
Feelings
- Have strong reactions and intense feelings
- Love and hate many things
- Develop a sense of humour
- Still have some temper tantrums
- Often feel scared or worried
- Fear monsters and imaginary creatures
Social skills
- Have a favourite friend
- Play in groups
- Like to talk but not always listen
- Notice differences between self and others more
- Show more interest in differences between boys and girls
Around 5 years old:
Moving and doing
- Get dressed and undressed by themselves
- Begins to learn how to tie a knot and a bow
- Colour inside the lines and write letters
- Walk without tiptoeing, ride a bike with training wheels, and skip
- Hold a pencil correctly
- Jump backward
Thinking and talking
- Plan and organise simple things
- Pretend inanimate objects are alive (like stuffed animals)
- Remember and say their phone number
- Tell stories with a beginning, middle, and end
- Understand past and future
Feelings
- Feel safe with rules and routines
- Use words to express feelings
- Show more self-control and less impulsiveness
- Become more independent
- Feel more capable
- Have ups and downs in emotions
- Say “sorry” after making mistakes
Social skills
- Have a group of friends
- Work together and follow rules
- Want adults to approve of them
- Play and talk with other children
- Sometimes disagree or oppose others
- Can lie or twist the truth
Around 6 years old:
Moving and doing
- Dress, bathe, and tie shoes by themselves
- Ride a bike without training wheels
- Can write some simple words and their name.
Thinking and talking - Use more words and talk better
- Ask what words mean
- Follow complex directions
- Understand seasons and holidays
- Know the days of the week
Feelings
- Feel upset by criticism
- Get emotional when stressed
- Understand others’ needs and feelings more
Social skills
- Play board games
- Sometimes cheat to win games
- Have a best friend
- Enjoy going to school
- Try to please teachers
- Worry about caregivers dying
Where can I get help if my child hasn’t reached some milestones?
Every child grows at their own pace. Some kids learn skills faster than others. If your child is behind in one area, it might not be a problem. But if you’re worried about your child, you can visit our guides for caregivers.