· Preschoolers use complete sentences
· They can state their first and last name and address
· Preschoolers will follow three step directions
· They love to make up silly words and stories
· Preschoolers ask what, when, how, where, and why questions
· They sing songs, say nursery rhymes, and finger play with words and actions
· They can rhyme on their own (Do the Check-Up Rhyming)
· Preschoolers express needs and wants
· They talk in detail about things that happened
· Preschoolers show an interest in a variety of books
· They remember favorite books and stories
· Preschoolers begin to write letters and words (Do the Check-Up Writing the ABC’s)
· They recognize familiar words
· Preschoolers can name objects not present when their function is described
· They use pronouns: that, this, these, those
· They use adverbs: fast, now, too
· Preschoolers use personal pronouns: he, she, it, they, you
· They can repeat a series of 3 digits or words in the same order
· Preschoolers use descriptive words appropriately when presented with objects (sticky, bumpy)
· They use regular verb tense forms (jumped)
· Preschoolers tell about personal state (hungry, thirsty, tired)
· They express future occurrences with “going to”, “have to”, and “will”
· Preschoolers can tell function of common objects (“what do you do with a spoon?” “you eat with it”)
· They answer simple “how” questions (“how do you go to a store?” “in a car.”)
· Children love to tell stories and understand sequence of events
· They can combine thoughts into sentences
· Children love to listen to longer stories
Knowledge Growth
· Preschoolers can say full name, address, and telephone number
· They are interested in people and things in the community
· Preschoolers use basic time words (today, yesterday, last night)
· They notice how things are alike and different
· Preschoolers can recite numbers
· They know concepts (big and little, top, bottom, front, back, and sides, heavy or light, long or short
· Preschoolers can name body parts
· They can tell which objects go together (shoes/socks, spoon/plate)
· Preschoolers can identify shapes
· They can arrange items in order of size
· Preschoolers can tell if objects are heavy or light/long or short
· They can match 1:1 (1 plate, 1 napkin, 1 cookie, 1 child)
· Preschoolers can tell how many objects in a set after counting (0-10)
· They can make simple patterns (blocks, beads)
· Preschoolers love to explore the outside world (science)
· They play with words and love to make rhymes
· Preschoolers point and name many colors
· They understand order and process
· Preschoolers can draw, name, and describe pictures
· They show a great interest in reading and writing (Start Doing Check List of Reading and Writing Basics)
· Preschoolers can do the Check-Up How a Book Works
Social Growth
· Preschoolers like consistent rules
· They like daily routines
· Preschoolers want affection and someone to listen
· They are interested in being neat and tidy
· Preschoolers are interested in body parts
· They love to laugh and be silly
· Preschoolers want to please others
· They enjoy helping
· Preschoolers begin to use reason to solve problems
· They ask for help
· Preschoolers enjoy the company of peers
· They cooperate with others
· Preschoolers express their feelings
· They learn to share and take turns
· Preschoolers may develop an imaginary friend
· They may show fear
· Preschoolers play near and talk with other children
· They take turns with 2-3 children
· Preschoolers cooperate with adult requests most of the time
· They like to copy adult activities (pretend to cook or mow the lawn)
· Preschoolers separate and reunite with parents more successfully
· They attend for stories and poems
· Preschoolers follow rules in games led by adults
· They say “please” and “thank you”
· Preschoolers identify their self as a boy or girl
· They identify their own personal possessions
· Preschoolers engage in imaginative play with other children
· They begin to prefer children to adults
· Preschoolers like to be very independent
· They can wipe and blow their nose independently
· Preschoolers will follow a series of simple directions
· They have more self-confidence
· Preschoolers can use eating utensils and pour from a small pitcher
· They can wash their own hands
· Preschoolers love to make up games to play and pretend play
Physical Growth
· Preschoolers throw, catch and kick balls with more control
· They run, tiptoe, and jump
· Preschoolers can build a tower of blocks
· Preschoolers dress themselves independently
· Preschooler’s balance and movement improve
· They run around obstacles, walk on a line, and balance on one foot
· Preschoolers push, pull, and steer toys
· They can ride a tricycle
· Preschoolers can hold arms overhead, extended at shoulder level, or behind body for 15 seconds without tiring
· They walk backwards and sideways on request
· Preschoolers start and stop locomotor’s movement on request
· They love to march to music
· Preschoolers can balance on either foot for 5 seconds
· They can do a standing, broad jump
· Preschoolers can keep a swing active when started
Fine Motor Growth
· Preschoolers can isolate thumb movement (move thumbs without moving any other fingers)
· They put together nesting toys
· Preschoolers can string small (half-inch) beads
· They can paste scraps of construction paper
· Preschoolers can trace around inside of template with pencil or crayon
· They can assemble wooden puzzles with a separate place for each piece
· Preschoolers open doors, cabinets, drawers, windows with a variety of latches
· Preschoolers can open jars
· They are good with scissors
· Preschoolers have mastered velcro, snaps, zippers, and buttons
· They peel foods like bananas, oranges, and eggs
· Preschoolers can eat an entire meal using a spoon and fork by themselves
· They can hold a pencil with an adult grip
Creative Growth
· Preschoolers enjoy a fantasy life
· They like to play dress up
· Preschoolers like to paint, draw, create, and design
· They love to create their own books
· Preschoolers like to design their own jewelry and toys
· They like to play and sing their own music
· Preschoolers like to dance and sing songs
· They like to tell their own stories