Ages 3 To 4 years

Below are the program goals for children in our Young Preschool Program. Generally by the end of this stage, children may be able To do the following:

• Emotional Development
• Assist with dressing self
• Follow staff directions concerning daily routines
• Assist staff and other children with daily housekeeping skills
• Help care for toys and equipment and be able To put them in their proper place, some of the time
• Assist in the care of own possessions and those of the group
• Handle working alone, in small groups or in large groups, some of the time
• Follow staff directions during events with some reminders
• Learn new routines or changes in routines with some reminders

Social Development & Living

• Cooperate as a member of the group, most of the time
• Share toys and equipment, some of the time
• Identify family members and distinguish between other adults and children
• Participate in simple group play and activities
• Play alongside other children
• Learn about some activities appropriate for a major holiday celebration
• Identify some community workers and what they do

Physical Development / Gross Motor

• Perform simple motor tasks including walking,    running, jumping and hopping
• Walk a balance beam forward with minimal adult    assistance
• Throw a large ball at a target
• Be able To bounce and catch a large ball
• March and move freely To music
• Use large muscle equipment (e.g. tricycles and    climbing apparatus, etc.)
• Participate in simple games (e.g. Duck, Duck, Goose,    etc.)
• Stand on one foot

Fine Motor

• String large beads
• Draw a circle
• Stack at least seven small objects
• Carry at least two objects at a time
• Use appropriate grasping skills when working with    crayons
• Assemble a 4-8 piece puzzle

Cognitive Development / Concept Development

• Identify primary colors: red, blue and yellow
• Identify a circle, square and triangle
• Determine comparative sizes in terms of big and little
• Match three objects To corresponding objects or one dimension (e.g. size or shape)
• Follow a two-sequence direction

Language Development

• • Recognize and say first and last name
  • Recognize first name in print
  • Recognize first and last name of three other children and the caregiver’s name
  • Use short simple sentences in conversation
  • Express needs and ask questions
  • Respond correctly when asked To identify familiar persons or objects, most of the time

 

• Repeat simple finger plays, poems and nursery rhymes
• Pronounce words accurately
• Listen briefly To other children
• Use facial expressions and gestures To express an idea or feeling and identify these in pictures, some of the time