Developmental milestones for ages 3-5 years (2024)

The development of children is complex. Between fine and gross motor development and the variation between children, it is not always easy to determine whether your child's development is considered 'typical'. If you're concerned that your child's writing and pre-writing development may be atypical, here is a resource you can use. These are the written development milestones that average children encounter at certain ages. There are also lists of indications that your child's fine motor/handwriting development may be atypical.

At the age of 3 to 4 years, an average child will:

  • Pre-Writing Strokes – Children aged 3-4 years should be able to copy vertical and horizontal lines and circles without demonstration from their parents. At 3.5 years old they should also be able to imitate you if you draw a plus sign.
  • Copying letters - Just before age 4, an average child can begin copying simple, familiar letters, and so on.
  • Trace Lines – Draw a thick horizontal line on top without going too far out of line.
  • Color Shapes - At this age, children should be able to roughly color within the lines of simple shapes and forms.
  • Using Scissors – At this age, a child should easily be able to cut an 8 x 11 piece of paper in half and cut along a straight line without going too far off the line.
  • Grip – Between 3.5 and 4 years of age, a child should use the thumb and index finger pad while resting the marker/colored marker on the knuckle of the middle finger for coloring and drawing.

If your child is not meeting the following milestones by age 4, you may want to consult an occupational therapist.

  • Draw straight lines and circles
  • Cannot hold crayon or other writing implement with fingers and thumb and still uses fist
  • Scribbles when coloring, rather than using a series of strokes, and cannot stay somewhat within the lines when coloring
  • Has difficulty using the scissors correctly

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Developmental milestones for ages 3-5 years (2024)

FAQs

What are developmental milestones for ages 3 5? ›

During this stage, children should be able to ride a tricycle, use safety scissors, notice a difference between girls and boys, help to dress and undress themselves, play with other children, recall part of a story, and sing a song.

What are the 5 stages of developmental milestones? ›

What are the 5 Stages of Child Development? These are Newborn Development, Infant Development, Toddler Development, Preschooler Development, and School-Age Development.

What is cognitive development for 3 to 5 years old? ›

Cognitive development milestones: Children can count from at least 1 to 20 and identify numerals 1– 10. They begin to understand volume and can identify the container that holds the most. They understand night and day and their relation to time. They begin to understand the concept of time, and some begin to tell time.

What is a stage of development in which children are between the ages of 3 5 years? ›

Preschoolers (3-5 years) The preschool years bring rapid intellectual, physical and emotional growth. The developmental goal of a preschooler is to become independent. Despite their considerable physical and emotional achievements, preschoolers have a limited ability to understand separation and divorce.

What are the social skills of a 3 5 year old? ›

How they play: At age 3, they typically play near a friend, find it difficult to take turns and to share things; at age 4, they may begin cooperative play, still difficult to share but begin to understand turn-taking, begin to offer things to others; at age 5, enjoy playing with other children, often cooperate well, ...

What are the 4 main developmental milestones? ›

What Are Milestones? Children develop in certain predictable ways, referred to as developmental milestones. Milestones cover four areas of a child's development -- cognitive, communication and language, social and emotional, and motor.

What is a developmental milestone 4 5? ›

Kids 4 to 5 years old can follow more complex directions and enthusiastically talk about things they do. They can make up stories, listen attentively to stories and retell stories. Here some ways you can help boost your child's communication skills: Talk about the day's activities.

What are the cognitive milestones for a 4 5 year old? ›

Count 10 or more objects. Correctly name at least four colors and three shapes. Recognize some letters and possibly write their name. Better understand the concept of time and the order of daily activities, like breakfast in the morning, lunch in the afternoon, and dinner at night.

What is the social development of a 5 year old? ›

Between 5-6 years your child may:

Start to exclude other children during play as regular friendships begin to form. They may tend towards friendships with children of the same sex. They may also feel a strong need to be accepted by their peers and feeling they are being 'left out' can upset them.

What is the emotional development of a 5 year old? ›

Your child is learning to understand about other people's feelings and needs. They can feel empathy for others, and can share toys and take turns, at least some of the time. They may sometimes feel jealous of your relationships with other people, such as your partner.

What are the social skills of a 5 year old? ›

Interacting - Social and Emotional Development

Wants to be like friends. Agrees to rules more easily. Likes to sing, dance and act. Knows the difference between fantasy and reality.

What is the characteristic of children aged 3 to 5 according to Erikson? ›

The preschool years (ages 3 to about age 6) begin with the tail end of Erik Erikson's second stage of psychosocial development: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt. In this stage, children are learning to be self-sufficient in ways such as self-regulation, toileting, feeding, and dressing.

What is the development stage from 3 to 6 years called? ›

The normal social and physical development of children ages 3 to 6 years old includes many milestones.

What stage is 4 5 years old? ›

Preschooler development at 4-5 years: what's happening. At this age, preschoolers are exploring and learning to express emotions. They do this in many ways – for example, by talking, using gestures, making noises and playing. Preschoolers also like to be around people.

Is there a developmental leap at 3.5 years? ›

3- to 4-Year-Old Development: Emotional and Social Milestones. Your 3- to 4-year-old is not only becoming more independent physically, but also emotionally. You may start to notice fewer tantrums when you leave your child with a sitter or at preschool. In addition, your 3- to 4-year-old is becoming more social.

What is the developmental stage of a 4 year old? ›

Kids 4 to 5 years old can follow more complex directions and enthusiastically talk about things they do. They can make up stories, listen attentively to stories and retell stories. Here some ways you can help boost your child's communication skills: Talk about the day's activities.

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