Early Childhood Development Fact Sheet

A three year old, shows increased levels of proficiency, control, and balance in walking, climbing,
jumping, hopping, marching and galloping. Can jump off low steps or objects, and climbs stairs with
alternating feet, using hand rail for balance. Improved finger dexterity allows them to put together
simple puzzles, use tools, hold crayons with fingers instead of fists, make balls and snakes out of clay
and undress without assistance. (PBS.org)

As far as language, a three year old shows an increased ability to listen to and understand
conversations, stories, songs and poems.


At age 4, the child continues to learn words when adults name objects, and increases ability to infer
word meanings from context. Many new words are also learned through new experiences, and from
hearing picture books read aloud. (PBS.org)

According to Piaget, children in the Preoperational stage of development build on skills learned and
mastered during the Sensorimotor stage. For a review of Sensorimotor development, please click here.
During this stage, young children's play becomes increasingly imaginary and filled with fantasies. As
children develop cognitively, their play will move from simple make-believe to plots involving more
characters and scenarios, games with sophisticated rules, etc. According to Piaget, playing isn't just fun;
it is an important part of brain development. (Owalt)


Children between the ages of 3 and 5 are more likely than children younger than 3 to be cared for in a
center-based program, such as child care and Head Start. Children under the age of 3 are more likely to
be in the care of a parent than are children older than 3.Parents are a childs first and most important
teachers. (The Importance of Early Childhood Cognitive Development)

Some signs of atypical development during this period of development is the child is not building
memory. The child is not able to work or play with other children.


Families can influence their childs learning by understanding sensitive periods. Parents should
continue to read to their child and play games with them to influence their childs development.
Owalt, A. Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Introduction. Retrieved from:
http://www.bhcmhmr.org/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=12757&cn=462
The Importance of Early Childhood Cognitive Development. Retrieved from: http://georgewbush-
whitehouse.archives.gov/infocus/earlychildhood/sect2.html