Social and Emotional

• Wants to please and be like friends
• More likely to agree with rules
• Likes to sing, dance, and act
• Is aware of gender
• Can tell what’s real and what’s make-believe
• Shows more independence
• Is sometimes demanding and sometimes very cooperative

Language/Communication

• Speaks very clearly
• Tells a simple story using full sentences
• Uses future tense (for example, “Grandma will be here.”)
• Says name and address  

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Counts 10 or more things
• Can draw a person with at least 6 body parts
• Can print some letters or numbers
• Copies a triangle and other geometric shapes
• Knows about things used every day, like money and food

Movement/Physical Development

• Stands on one foot for 10 seconds or longer
• Hops; may be able to skip
• Uses a fork and spoon and sometimes a table knife
• Can use the toilet on her own  
• Swings and climbs

WHAT FAMILIES CAN DO

• Catch your child being good and encourage all the things your child can do.
• Gently and consistently help your child manage feelings and control behavior.
• Give your child opportunities to play with other children.
• Teach your child about “safe touch.”
• Give your child more freedom to choose activities to play with friends and let your child work out problems with friends
• Teach your child about time – morning, afternoon, evening, today, tomorrow and yesterday – and start teaching the days of the week. 
• Play with toys that encourage your child to put things together.
• Follow your child’s interests. Visit the library to find books on interest areas.
• Encourage your child to draw and make art projects using different supplies.
• Read with your child every day and ask him/her to predict what will happen next.
• Teach your child his/her address and phone number.
• Point out familiar symbols and words for your child to know.
• Encourage your child to count items. 
• Play with balls – catching, running and kicking.
• Visit parks, playgrounds and play spaces where your child can run and climb freely.
• Play with toys that encourage your child to put things together.
• Help your child learn to pump his/her legs back and forth when swinging.
• Provide riding toys, such as a bike with training wheels or scooter.
• Put on your child’s favorite music and have a dance party; copy each other’s moves.