Developmental Milestones

A developmental milestone is a skill that a child acquires within a specific time frame.

Showing all milestones for all development areas for the preschooler age range. clear Clear Filter

Primary milestones for preschooler

Milestone ? Age Range ? Development Area ?
Engages with books
3-5 years Literacy
Makes attempts to read and write
3-5 years Literacy
Identifies familiar signs and labels
3-5 years Literacy
Participates in rhyming games
3-5 years Literacy
Identifies some letters and sounds
3-5 years Literacy
Uses letters to "write"
3-5 years Literacy
Handles books competently
3-4 years Literacy
Turns paper pages one at a time
3-5 years Literacy
Listens to longer stories
3-5 years Literacy
Can retell a familiar story
3-5 years Literacy
Moves his finger along text
3-5 years Literacy
"Writes" his name
3-5 years Literacy
Helps in the kitchen
3-5 years Social & Emotional
Holds a crayon well
3-4 years Fine Motor
Buttons, zips and unzips
3-5 years Fine Motor
Offers to help
3-5 years Social & Emotional
Throws and catches a large ball
3-4 years Gross Motor
Hops, climbs and skips
3-5 years Gross Motor
Pedals a tricycle
3-4 years Gross Motor
Attempts new activities
3-5 years Gross Motor
Asks, "Why?"
3-5 years Speech & Language
Answers "Why?" questions
3-5 years Speech & Language
Listens with interest to explanations
3-5 years Speech & Language
Learns many new words
3-5 years Speech & Language
Pronounces words more clearly
3-5 years Speech & Language
Tells creative stories
3-5 years Speech & Language
Recites familiar stories
3-5 years Speech & Language
Answers simple questions
3-5 years Cognitive
Uses shape and color names
3-5 years Cognitive
Recognizes parts of a story
3-5 years Cognitive
Understands limits
3-5 years Cognitive
Confuses fantasy and reality
3-4 years Cognitive
Understands past, present, and future
3-5 years Cognitive
Develops new fears
3-5 years Social & Emotional
Shares with others
3-5 years Social & Emotional
Plays by the rules
3-5 years Social & Emotional
Enjoys make believe games
3-5 years Social & Emotional
Imitates TV characters
3-5 years Social & Emotional
Controls his urges
3-5 years Social & Emotional
Joins others to play
3-5 years Social & Emotional
Explores his own body
3-5 years Social & Emotional
Understands what text is
4-5 years Literacy
Prepares to read by pretending
4-5 years Cognitive

Other milestones within the preschooler range

Milestone ? Age Range ? Development Area ?
May choke on food
1-5 years Physical
Stacks and knocks down objects
1-3 years Fine Motor
Jumps on both feet
17 months - 4 years Gross Motor
Learns to handle paper pages
2-3 years Literacy
Finds favorite pictures in books
2-3 years Literacy
Recites whole phrases, stories
2-3 years Literacy
Coordinates text with picture
2-3 years Literacy
Protests at wrong word
2-3 years Literacy
Reads familiar books to himself
2-3 years Literacy
Prefers one type of food
2-3 years Physical
Has a growing appetite
2-3 years Physical
Washes hands with assistance
2-3 years Fine Motor
Helps in the kitchen
2-3 years Social & Emotional
Has all 20 "baby" (primary) teeth
2-3 years Physical
Stops sucking his thumb
2-3 years Physical
Brushes his teeth
2-4 years Fine Motor
Scribbles with crayons
2-4 years Fine Motor
Copies lines and circles
2-3 years Fine Motor
Strings beads
2-3 years Fine Motor
Runs without tripping
2-3 years Gross Motor
Walks stairs independently
2-3 years Gross Motor
Balances on one foot
2-3.5 years Gross Motor
Develops larger vocabulary
2-3 years Speech & Language
Speaks in short sentences
2-4 years Speech & Language
Talks about yesterday and tomorrow
2-3 years Speech & Language
Improves in comprehension
2-3 years Speech & Language
Follows directions with prepositions
2-3 years Speech & Language
Understands simple stories
2-3 years Cognitive
Develops a vivid imagination
2-3 years Cognitive
Matches pictures to real life
2-3 years Cognitive
Enjoys simple puzzles
2-3 years Cognitive
Plays house
2-3 years Cognitive
Names objects and actions
2-3 years Cognitive
Counts to three
2-3 years Cognitive
Shows interest in other children
2-3 years Social & Emotional
Understands rules
2-3 years Social & Emotional
Adjusts to change with help
2-3 years Social & Emotional
Enjoys daily routines
2-3 years Social & Emotional
Declares things "mine"
2-3 years Social & Emotional
Recognizes his gender identity
2-3 years Social & Emotional
Is ready for toilet training
2-3 years Physical
Speaks with 75% clarity
2.5-3 years Speech & Language

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