During pre-kindergarten programs, there will be many developmental milestones for children. While each child is different and learns at his or her own pace, there are common achievements each child will reach.
From the ages of 4 to 5, children tend to blossom in response to all the information they’ve been collecting. They’ll start to remind their parents of “little adults” more and more, asserting what they know and what they can do more than ever.
Socially, this means cooperating with others as part of the aim to be liked by their peers. Collective activities like singing and dancing become a focus for a child looking to conform and blend well with others. On the other hand, this can translate to bossiness in the over-eager child who attempts to take charge of a group. As social groups become more complex, children begin to recognize what distinguishes them from their peers, like their sexuality.
Mentally, a 4 to 5 year old grows a capacity for sequential information. They’ll gain a better grasp on the passage of time, counting increasingly larger numbers and telling stories that may span longer periods of time or even stretch into an imaginary future. They’ll become interested in what different objects are used for and ways to classify them, such as color. Children can tell others information about themselves, such as their name or where they live.
Complexity of physical movement is an area full of milestones for 4 to 5 year olds. Hands become stronger and more dexterous, as a child begins drawing simple shapes and recognizable objects. They begin to take over tasks previously managed by adults, like using the toilet and feeding themselves. Finally, physical balance improves, as a child begins using their arms and legs to hop, skip, jump and climb.
As children become less dependent on adults to navigate and make sense of the world, it might seem like they’re shaking off the shackles of parenting already. There’s no need to worry, as their developmental journey has really only just begun.