Congratulations, you have survived the “terrible twos!” Hopefully, you have energy left to enjoy what lies ahead for you and your preschooler. They call the next few years the “magic years” — partly because it seems like magic that your child is finally listening to you and partly because for your child, it is a time for their imagination to run wild.
Social and Emotional Milestones:
The preschool years are a time of great social and emotional development. Your child will become more independent and assertive. They will also start to develop friendships with other children. It is during this time that they will learn how to share, take turns, and resolve conflicts. Preschoolers can sometimes be moody or have temper tantrums when they don’t get their way. This is normal behavior for this age group as they are learning to cope with new emotions.
What to be concerned about socially and emotionally:
If your child’s tantrums are frequent or violent, or if they are having trouble making friends, talk to your pediatrician. These could be signs of a more serious problem.
Developmental milestones are important to monitor because they give you a general idea of how your child is progressing compared to other children their age. However, it is important to keep in mind that every child develops at their own pace.
Language Milestones:
During the preschool years, your child’s communication skills will explode. They will go from saying only a few words to putting together short sentences. By age four, most children can say about 900 words and use simple phrases like “I want more.” Your child’s vocabulary will grow even more as they begin to ask lots of questions.
What to be concerned about linguistically:
If your child is not yet speaking in sentences or does not seem to understand what you are saying, talk to your pediatrician. Also, be sure to mention it at your child’s next well-visit. Developmental delays are more common than you might think and the earlier they are identified, the sooner intervention can begin.
Cognitive Milestones:
Your child’s brain is growing rapidly during the preschool years. Preschoolers learn best through hands-on experience. During this time, your child will begin to understand concepts such as numbers and shapes. They will also start to solve problems on their own and be able to follow three-step commands. Don’t be surprised if they ask you a lot of “why” questions during this time. They are trying to make sense of the world around them.
What to be concerned about cognitively:
If your child is not yet able to follow simple commands or answer basic questions, talk to your pediatrician.
Physical Milestones:
During the preschool years, your child’s gross motor skills (large muscle movements) will continue to develop. They will be able to run, jump, and climb. Their fine motor skills (small muscle movements) will also improve. They will be able to use a spoon and fork, brush their teeth, and dress themselves. By age four, most children are potty trained.
What to be concerned about physically:
If your child is not yet potty trained or is having accidents frequently, talk to your pediatrician. Also, be sure to mention it at your child’s next well-visit.
As you can see, the preschool years are full of growth and development. It is a time of great change for both you and your child. Now that you know what to expect during the preschool years, enjoy this magical time with your child! They grow up so fast!