Child development chart: Preschool

milestones
By Mayo Clinic staff

Every child grows and develops at his or her own pace. Still, child development tends to follow a
fairly predictable path. Check out these general child development milestones for ages 2 to 5. If
your child's development seems to be lagging behind in certain areas, share your concerns with
your child's doctor.

  Age 2 Age 3 Age 4 Age 5

Language skills
Uses compound
Links two words Identifies most Describes the uses
and complex
together common objects of common objects
sentences
Speaks clearly Speaks clearly
enough for parents Says first name and enough for Says full name and
to understand about age strangers to address
half the words understand
 
Uses verbs that end
Knows some Uses pronouns (I, in "ing" and some
adjectives (big, you, we, they) and irregular past tense Uses future tense
happy) some plurals verbs, such as ran
and fell
Speaks about 50 Answers simple Understands
Tells simple stories
words questions rhyming
Social skills
Becomes aware of
his or her identity Imitates parents Cooperates with Wants to be like
as a separate and playmates playmates friends
individual
May become Tries to solve
Takes turns Follows rules
  defiant problems
Becomes interested
Expresses affection Becomes interested Understands
in playing with
openly in new experiences gender
other children
Separation anxiety Easily separates Becomes more Wants to do things
begins to fade from parents independent alone
Cognitive skills
 Becomes involved
Begins to play Uses imagination
Plays make-believe in more complex
make-believe to create stories
imaginary play
Correctly names at
Begins to sort More confidently Prints some capital
least four colors
objects by shape sorts objects by letters and names
and counts at least
and color shape and color some colors
10 objects
Understands more
Understands some Understands more Distinguishes
complex spatial
  spatial concepts spatial concepts between fantasy
concepts (behind,
(in, on) (over, under) and reality
next to)
Draws a person Copies a triangle
Scribbles Copies a circle with two to four and other
body parts geometric patterns
Understands the
Understands the
Finds hidden Understands the concepts of time
concepts of same
objects concept of two and sequential
and different
order
Physical skills
Walks up and Stands on one foot Stands on one foot
Walks alone and
down stairs, for at least five for at least 10
stands on tiptoe
alternating feet seconds seconds
Throws ball
overhand, kicks
Climbs on furniture Kicks, climbs, runs ball forward and Hops, swings and
and begins to run and pedals tricycle catches bounced somersaults
ball most of the
  time
Builds a tower of May learn to skip,
Builds a tower of Dresses and
more than six ride a bike and
four blocks or more undresses
blocks swim
Manipulates small
Brushes own teeth
Empties objects objects and turns
Uses scissors and cares for other
from a container book pages one at a
personal needs
time