Pregnancy
36-42 Months: Preschoolers in Motion -- Milestones
1. Participates in many play activities and uses new movement skills.
Gone is the waddle and the arms stretched out to maintain balance. Three-year-olds are able to move about with stability and confidence. They are able to participate in a variety of play activities now that they have mastered the skills of moving and have gained more control. They can climb stairs using alternating feet, they are becoming skilled at walking on a balance beam, and they can ride a tricycle. They can now pay attention to games and how to play them, rather than having to concentrate on how to move. For example:
Developing as expected, they might:
- sing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" with a friend as they make the rocky boat go up and down
- gallop, run, walk, wiggle, and tiptoe along with classmates, watching how they move and imitating their movements
- climb with more agility and less fear on the jungle gym
- walk on a balance beam for a few steps, going both forward and backward
- jump from the second step on the stairs
- begin to move their legs as if pumping, while they swing back and forth
- ride a tricycle, steering well and using the pedals
- kick a ball with increasing accuracy
- throw a beanbag or a ball overhand, with fairly accurate aim
- participate in circle games that involve all players, such as Hokey-Pokey or "This Is the Way We Wash Our Clothes"
- sit on the swing without moving, waiting for someone to push them
- not be able to keep their feet on the balance beam for even one forward step
- stand in the circle for group games and activities, but not seem to catch on to the actions
- not be able to lift one foot for even a second to balance
- ride the tricycle by pushing with both feet and not steering, just holding on
2. Uses hands with increasing control and precision for a variety of purposes.
Preschoolers are ready to try out a range of art materials that call for fine motor control. Some are beginning to hold crayons and pencils in a thumb and finger grasp more nearly like that of adults, while others still grasp with the whole fist. Tactile materials such as play dough, finger painting, and water and sand play allow three-year-olds to practice controlling their fingers and develop finger skills. Exploring with these materials also encourages preschoolers to develop their imagination, which is so important for thinking skills. For example:
Developing as expected, they might:
- try new art media, such as chalk, with eagerness and an exploratory attitude, alternating between a whole hand grasp and a thumb and fingertips grasp
- experiment with pencils, crayons, and markers, beginning to hold them with a more adult-like grasp
- put on and take off clothes in the dress-up area
- draw squiggles on their paper and announce it is their name
- draw a series of lines and dots and tell people it's a sign, and then tell everyone what the sign says
- participate in songs and finger plays, both familiar and new ones
- fit together a wide variety of manipulatives such as connecting blocks, or pop beads
- dress the doll with more complex clothes such as socks, shoes, or a bonnet
- shape play dough or clay into more intricate and/or representational creations
Needing development, they might:
- run their crayon or marker aimlessly around the paper, holding the crayon or marker with a palmer grasp
- show little interest or skill in using manipulatives such as connecting blocks, or putting together puzzles
- ask for help when trying to put on a jacket for outdoor play or a dress in dramatic play
- not be able to master the motions of classroom finger plays
3. Accomplishes new self-help tasks
By three years of age, preschoolers are able to use their hands to accomplish many self-help tasks and participate in housekeeping activities. They are increasingly independent and understand routines and procedures. They want to be a part of everything that is going on. Taking care of themselves makes them feel that they are growing up. For example:
Developing as expected, they might:
- spread peanut butter on crackers or bread
- eat without much spilling, using a spoon and a fork
- participate in cleanup, putting things away where they belong
- feed the classroom pet with little help
- brush their teeth successfully by themselves
- put on their shoes as well as their socks, underpants, and shirt
- pour juice from a small pitcher and stop before the juice overflows
Needing development, they might:
- not yet participate independently in toileting needs
- fuss when asked to help with dressing, not wanting to put on their socks or shirt
- watch as others pick up and put away toys at cleanup, or have trouble keeping the toys from falling off the shelf as they try to put them up
- spill the food as they try to fill the dish to feed the classroom pet
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