Child Development 3 & 4 years

0-6 months

6-12 months

1 year

2 years

3 & 4 years

Areas of Development

Physical Energetic and loves to move. Observes, analyzes, teaches and imitate peers' movements and play. Likes to gallop, skip, hop and leap. Increasing ability and interest in fine motor skills (cut paper with scissors, draws a circle, plays percussion instruments).

 

Cognitive Enjoy discovering, comparing, making choices, problem solving, finding patterns and remember sequences. At 3 years, counts to five, indentifies four colours, understands concepts such as size, number and shape. At 4 years, can follow a series of three simple instructions.

 

Social Cooperative play and sharing is becoming easier as he or she learns to adapt and adjust to different social settings. Occasionally tension surfaces as he confronts his desire to please adults and his need for independence and control. Protective toward younger children. Shows leadership and gives directions to other children.

 

Emotional Can be outgoing and boastful reflecting his or her desire for independence and pride in accomplishment. Developing individuality and want sto be noticed and acknowledged.

 

Language Talk, talk, talk! Expressive language opens a whole new world and needs, wants, likes and dislikes can now be shared verbally.

Recommended Toys

• Interlocking puzzles.
• Storybooks with stories and rhymes - likes complex pictures with lots of details.
• Stacking boxes.
• LEGO or building materials.
• Puppets and dress up clothes.
• Peg board.
• Beading and lacing activities.
• Realistic dolls with accessories.
• Realistic toys such as phones, brooms, kitchen materials, tools, cash register, camera, etc.
  
• Play scenes with realistic accessories and working parts.
• Percussion instruments.
  
• Art and crafts - scissors, paint, crayons, clay, glue, etc.
• Simple card and matching games.