Milestones for Ages and Stages: Preschooler's Milestone Check List

Check Lists for Preschooler's

Print off the "Check Lists" for preschooler's and get started!

Language Growth

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