Link: CDC Milestone Checklist

Social and Emotional

• Enjoys doing new things

• Plays "mom" and "dad"

• Is more and more creative with make-believe play

• Would rather play with other children than by themselves

• Cooperates with other children

• Often can't tell what's real and what's make-believe

• Talks about what they like and they are interested in

Language/Communication

• Knows some basic rules of grammar, such as correctly using "he" and "she"

• Sings a song or says a poem from memory such as the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" or the "Wheels on the Bus"

• Tells stories

• Can say first and last name

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Names some colors and some numbers

• Understands the idea of counting

• Starts to understand time

• Remembers parts of a story

• Understands the idea of "same" and "different"

• Draws a person with 2 to 4 body parts

• Uses scissors

• Starts to copy some capital letters

• Plays board or card games

• Tells you what they think is going to happen next in a book

Movement/Physical Development

• Hops and stands on one foot up to 2 seconds

• Catches a bounced ball most of the time

• Pours, cuts with supervision, and mashes own food

Act early by talking to your child's doctor if your child:

• Can't jump in place

• Has trouble scribbling

• Shows no interest in interactive games or make-believe

• Ignores other children or doesn't respond to people outside the family

• Resists dressing, sleeping, and using the toilet

• Can't retell a favorite story

• Doesn't follow 3-part commands

• Doesn't understand "same" and "different"

• Doesn't use "me" and "you" correctly

• Speaks unclearly

• Loses skills they once had

Link: CDC Milestone Checklist

Social and Emotional

• Wants to please friends

• Wants to 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

• 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

• Can do a somersault

• Uses a fork and spoon and sometimes a table knife

• Can use the toilet on her own

• Swings and climbs

Act early by talking to your child's doctor if your child:

• Doesn't show a wide range of emotions

• Shows extreme behavior (unusually fearful, aggressive, shy, or sad)

• Unusually withdrawn and not active

• Is easily distracted, has trouble focusing on one activity for more than 5 minutes

• Doesn't respond to people, or responds only superficially

• Can't tell what's real and what's make-believe

• Doesn't play a variety of games and activities

• Can't give first and last name

• Doesn't use plurals or past tense properly

• Doesn't talk about daily activities or experiences

• Doesn't draw pictures

• Can't brush teeth, wash and dry hands, or get undressed without help

• Loses skills they once had

Articles:

• AAP: Cognitive Development in Preschool Children

• AAP: Developmental Milestones 4 to 5 Year Olds

• AAP: Emotional Development in Preschoolers

• AAP: Growing Independence- Tips for Parents of Young Children

• AAP: Helping Your Child Learn to Read

• AAP: How to Share Books with Your Preschooler

• AAP: Is Your Preschooler Ready for Kindergarten?

• AAP: Nightmares and Night Terrors in Preschoolers

• AAP: Social Development in Preschoolers