Typical Development Between Ages 2 and 5 Years

Children grow in natural, predictable steps, moving from one milestone to the next. You will see gains in five major areas.

• Emotional and social developmentbegins at age 2 with excitement about being around other children. But most children at this age play near each other rather than with each other (parallel play). By age 5, most children seek and enjoy friendships.
• Physical developmentslows down from the rapid growth during infancy. Healthy growth is different for every child, and your child will grow at his or her own pace.
• Cognitive development, or thinking and reasoning skills, progresses from a simple to a more complex understanding of time, letters, counting, and colors. Children are able to follow increasingly more detailed commands.
• Languagedevelops rapidly between ages 2 and 5. By age 3, children can speak at least 200 words and can follow two-part directions, such as "Wash your face and put your shoes away." Most 5-year-olds can carry on a conversation.
• Sensory and motor skillsbecome more refined, from being able to walk up stairs, kick a ball, and draw simple strokes to being able to do basic tumbling and draw rough figures of people and other recognizable objects.

Milestones by age

By 3 years of age, most children:

• Look leaner and longer compared to the early toddler years. Most children have gained about 2 kg (4.4 lb)and grown about 7.5 cm (3 in.) since their second birthday. Healthy growth is different for every child, and your child will grow at his or her own pace. Your child's natural growth rate may be slower or faster.
• Play pretend, understand 3-step instructions, enjoy simple puzzles, and know their name, age, and gender.
• Enjoy playmates, although "sharing" is often still a challenge.
• Separate from you easily.
• Are interested in or have finished toilet training.
• Can jump, run, climb, pedal a tricycle, and kick a ball.

By 4 years of age, most children:

• Have gained about 2 kg (4.4 lb)and grown about 7.5 cm (3 in.) since turning 3. Healthy growth is different for every child, and your child will grow at his or her own pace. Your child's natural growth rate may be slower or faster.
• Can say their name, identify some basic colours, and match things that are the same (such as a pair of socks).
• Can tell the difference between fantasy and reality.
• Can speak in sentences with at least 5 or 6 words, tell stories, and sing songs.
• Can stand on one foot, ride a tricycle, throw a ball overhand, and go up and down stairs without holding on to anything.

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Our Team at Lighthouse is trained to implement observation and assessment tools to support children’s development and learning 

Teachers Assess children’s progress across all developmental areas Using multiple methods for data-collection (i.e., work samples, anecdotal records, photographs, frequency counts, checklists, videotapes, etc.) In addition to multiple sources to assess children (i.e., their conversations, misunderstandings, questions, play, work samples, etc.) Developing and/or using assessments that are aligned with curriculum or development goals and have clear relevance for daily planning and curriculum development.

Using assessments to plan and modify environments, curriculum, and teaching. Teachers maintain confidentiality and only shares assessment results with parents’ written consent. 

Educational Director - Aisha Rehman MSEd.