My Child What to Expect: Your 3 to 4 Year Old
Developmental milestones describe what most children are capable of doing at a particular point in time. Developmental milestones also provide a snapshot of the new skills many children will be starting to master in the upcoming months or year. Knowing what children are capable of, and what they will be practicing, can help you provide appropriate experiences to enhance your child's development. Remember, developmental milestones only provide benchmarks. Each child develops at his or her own pace. So, in any particular child some skills may emerge early, while others may appear later. If you have any concerns about your child's development, consult your child's physician.
Social | | Typically Can:Join in play with a group of peersShow empathy if he is not overwhelmedComplete toilet trainingCooperate with dressing and undressing | | Emerging Skills:Sharing toysTaking turnsParticipating in interactive games, such as "London Bridge" and "Farmer in the Dell" |
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Problem Solving | | Typically Can:Sort objects by colour and sizeClassify objects by purpose, for example, "to play with," "to wear"Name one or more coloursMatch simple geometric forms | | Emerging Skills:Sorting and classifying objects by characteristicsUnderstanding and applying concepts of pattern, sequence and orderUnderstanding concepts, such as oppositesRecognizing and labeling different shapesUnderstanding directional and positional concepts |
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Numeracy | | Typically Can:Compare amountsArrange two sets of objects in one-to-one correspondenceCount objects | | Emerging Skills:Understanding time intervals better, such as today, tomorrow and yesterdayOrdering numbersUnderstanding different forms of measurement, such as weight, height and lengthAttaching words to numbersCounting up to 10, and understanding number concepts up to three |
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Language | | Typically Can:Use a vocabulary of about 900 wordsUse plurals and personal pronouns "I," "you" and "me"Use five-word sentencesUnderstand position words, such as "in," "out," "behind" and "in front of" | | Emerging Skills:Asking "what," "where" and "who" questionsFollowing two-step verbal commands. For example, "Pick up your books and put them on the shelf"Using an increasing number of pronouns and prepositions with understandingUnderstanding "its time to" |
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Emotional | | Typically Can:Not see things from another person's perspective, but this "egocentric" worldview is gradually changingControl aggression and tantrums at least part of the timeBe less upset by limits and disciplineBe settled after nightmares more easily | | Emerging Skills:Sleeping through the nightBeing much more even-tempered and cooperative with her parentsContinually growing in independence and self-esteemExpanding pretend play into rich, connected themes |
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Gross Motor | | Typically Can:Run 15 metres in under 10 secondsClimb on jungle gym and other equipmentAlternate feet going upstairsGet up from a squatting position without any helpStand on one foot with momentary balanceThrow a small ballUse pedals to ride a tricycle, and steer to avoid obstacles | | Emerging Skills:Alternating feet going down stairsCatching a large ball with arms extendedSkipping six times, imitating another personJumping off the ground with a two-footed jump |
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Fine Motor | | Typically Can:Button large buttonsBuild a tower of nine blocksCopy a circle from a drawingCopy a bridge of blocks from a modelComplete an easy four-piece puzzleScrew jar lidsHandle scissors, and cut out simple designs | | Emerging Skills:Carrying liquids in a cup, with some spillagePutting on his shoes, but not tying the lacesCopying a vertical line |
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