Child Development: 3 - 5 Years

From 3-5 years old, children are building skills that prepare them for school and life. Their bodies, brains, and feelings are continuing to develop as they explore their world. Their learning develops in different subject areas, like math and science, as they prepare for kindergarten.

Take a look at the categories below to learn different ways you can help your child develop in response to different behaviors.

How Children Grow and Stay Healthy

Children 3-5 years old are growing and developing every day. Watch the video and check out the chart below to learn ways you can support their growth and development.

	
      Children This Age May:
		How You Can Help Them Develop:
    
		Children This Age May:
Get dressed, brush their teeth, use the toilet, and wash their hands without help from adults.
		
		How You Can Help Them Develop:
Encourage them to show independence in basic tasks to care for themselves, helping when necessary (e.g., brushing teeth, wiping nose, dressing, using the toilet, washing hands, and feeding themselves).

		Children This Age May:
Walk, run, hop, gallop, or balance on one leg.
		
		  How You Can Help Them Develop:
Make physical activity a big part of their daily life and provide space and equipment for them to play.

Make sure they are safe and properly dressed for the weather and specific activities.

		Children This Age May:
Engage in activities that enhance hand-eye coordination, such as using eating utensils, dressing themselves, building with blocks, creating with clay or play dough, putting puzzles together, and stringing beads.
		
		   How You Can Help Them Develop:
Show them how you use drawing and writing tools in your daily activities (e.g., making a grocery list).

Children This Age May:	How You Can Help Them Develop:
Children This Age May: Get dressed, brush their teeth, use the toilet, and wash their hands without help from adults.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Encourage them to show independence in basic tasks to care for themselves, helping when necessary (e.g., brushing teeth, wiping nose, dressing, using the toilet, washing hands, and feeding themselves).
Children This Age May: Walk, run, hop, gallop, or balance on one leg.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Make physical activity a big part of their daily life and provide space and equipment for them to play. Make sure they are safe and properly dressed for the weather and specific activities.
Children This Age May: Engage in activities that enhance hand-eye coordination, such as using eating utensils, dressing themselves, building with blocks, creating with clay or play dough, putting puzzles together, and stringing beads.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Show them how you use drawing and writing tools in your daily activities (e.g., making a grocery list).

How Children Learn to Interact with Other People and Express Their Feelings

During this time frame, children will become more social and show a wider range of emotions. Watch the video and take a look at the chart below for tips on how to support this stage of development.

	
      Children This Age May:
		How You Can Help Them Develop:
    
		Children This Age May:
Make friends and learn how to help, share, take turns, and resolve problems.
      How You Can Help Them Develop:
Show them how to interact with others (e.g., take turns playing with a certain toy).

Provide opportunities for children to understand and discuss their feelings and those of others.

Help children see the effect of their behavior on others and help them resolve conflicts.

		Children This Age May:
Begin to control their impulses and feelings better.

Follow simple rules, routines, and directions.

      How You Can Help Them Develop:
Make cozy, safe places where children can be alone if they wish.

Establish, explain, and model simple rules (e.g., a bedtime routine) in basic terms they can understand.

		Children This Age May:
Express a range of emotions appropriately, such as excitement, happiness, sadness, and fear and avoid disruptive, aggressive, angry, or defiant behaviors.
      How You Can Help Them Develop:
Show and talk about ways to appropriately express emotions (e.g., dancing or exercising until out of breath, using pounding toys, manipulating play dough, talking to an adult).

Children This Age May:	How You Can Help Them Develop:
Children This Age May: Make friends and learn how to help, share, take turns, and resolve problems.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Show them how to interact with others (e.g., take turns playing with a certain toy). Provide opportunities for children to understand and discuss their feelings and those of others. Help children see the effect of their behavior on others and help them resolve conflicts.
Children This Age May: Begin to control their impulses and feelings better. Follow simple rules, routines, and directions.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Make cozy, safe places where children can be alone if they wish. Establish, explain, and model simple rules (e.g., a bedtime routine) in basic terms they can understand.
Children This Age May: Express a range of emotions appropriately, such as excitement, happiness, sadness, and fear and avoid disruptive, aggressive, angry, or defiant behaviors.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Show and talk about ways to appropriately express emotions (e.g., dancing or exercising until out of breath, using pounding toys, manipulating play dough, talking to an adult).

How Children Learn to Communicate

From 3-5 years, you will see big changes in the way your child communicates with you as their knowledge of words grows. Watch the video below and read the chart to understand how to better support your child’s developing communication skills.

	
      Children This Age May:
		How You Can Help Them Develop:
    
		Consideration for Adults:
Use a greater variety of words when they speak to express ideas and events.

      How You Can Help Them Develop:
Introduce new words and concepts by naming what they are doing and experiencing.

Have conversations and ask them open-ended questions that require more than a “yes” or “no” response.

		Consideration for Adults:
Follow two-step directions. (For example, they can follow simple directions like “Go to the closet and get your coat so we can go outside.”)

      How You Can Help Them Develop:
State directions clearly, positively, and respectfully. If it seems like they need help, show them what the directions mean and provide help if needed.

		Consideration for Adults:
Share their ideas and experiences in small groups.

Describe experiences and retell simple stories.

      How You Can Help Them Develop:
Ask open-ended questions that require more than a “yes” or “no” response.

Give them opportunities to tell stories or describe events and provide prompts as needed for encouragement.

Children This Age May:	How You Can Help Them Develop:
Consideration for Adults: Use a greater variety of words when they speak to express ideas and events.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Introduce new words and concepts by naming what they are doing and experiencing. Have conversations and ask them open-ended questions that require more than a “yes” or “no” response.
Consideration for Adults: Follow two-step directions. (For example, they can follow simple directions like “Go to the closet and get your coat so we can go outside.”)	How You Can Help Them Develop: State directions clearly, positively, and respectfully. If it seems like they need help, show them what the directions mean and provide help if needed.
Consideration for Adults: Share their ideas and experiences in small groups. Describe experiences and retell simple stories.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Ask open-ended questions that require more than a “yes” or “no” response. Give them opportunities to tell stories or describe events and provide prompts as needed for encouragement.

How Children Learn to Develop Skills that will Lead to Reading and Writing

Children 3-5 years old are starting to understand letters and some words. Watch the video and check out the tips below will help you understand what to expect and how to support their development.

	
      Children This Age May:
		How You Can Help Them Develop:
    
		Consideration for Adults:
Handle books respectfully and appropriately.

Look at pictures, ask questions, and talk about pictures and information in a story.

      How You Can Help Them Develop:
Visit the library.

Read to them often for fun and to help them learn new things.

Ask questions about the stories you read together. For example, ask, “What do you think will happen next?” or “How do you think [character] felt when…?”

Act out and retell stories using props such as puppets.

		Consideration for Adults:
Recognize the difference between words that sound similar, words that rhyme, and words that start with the same letter.

      How You Can Help Them Develop:
Show them how to have fun with words (e.g., rhymes, poems).

		Consideration for Adults:
Recognize the letters in their own name or know many letters of the alphabet.

      How You Can Help Them Develop:
Provide magnetic letters and alphabet blocks, stamps, books, and puzzles.

Explore letters through physical experiences (e.g., use alphabet cookie cutters or pasta alphabets, make letters out of your bodies on the floor).

Point out letters in familiar names and signs.

		Consideration for Adults:
Recognize that printed words connect to their world and daily life.

      How You Can Help Them Develop:
Point out signs and labels in the home, neighborhood, or store.

Call attention to a variety of printed words, such as in books, newspapers, magazines, menus, and cereal boxes.

		Consideration for Adults:
Use shapes, symbols, and letters to express ideas.

      How You Can Help Them Develop:
Encourage their interest and attempts to copy or write letters and their name.

Encourage them to use markers, crayons, and pencils.

Children This Age May:	How You Can Help Them Develop:
Consideration for Adults: Handle books respectfully and appropriately. Look at pictures, ask questions, and talk about pictures and information in a story.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Visit the library. Read to them often for fun and to help them learn new things. Ask questions about the stories you read together. For example, ask, “What do you think will happen next?” or “How do you think [character] felt when…?” Act out and retell stories using props such as puppets.
Consideration for Adults: Recognize the difference between words that sound similar, words that rhyme, and words that start with the same letter.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Show them how to have fun with words (e.g., rhymes, poems).
Consideration for Adults: Recognize the letters in their own name or know many letters of the alphabet.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Provide magnetic letters and alphabet blocks, stamps, books, and puzzles. Explore letters through physical experiences (e.g., use alphabet cookie cutters or pasta alphabets, make letters out of your bodies on the floor). Point out letters in familiar names and signs.
Consideration for Adults: Recognize that printed words connect to their world and daily life.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Point out signs and labels in the home, neighborhood, or store. Call attention to a variety of printed words, such as in books, newspapers, magazines, menus, and cereal boxes.
Consideration for Adults: Use shapes, symbols, and letters to express ideas.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Encourage their interest and attempts to copy or write letters and their name. Encourage them to use markers, crayons, and pencils.

How Children Learn to Think and Reason

The developing brain of a 3-5 year old is continuing to learn how to think and take in new information around them. Watch the video and check out the tips below that can help you support that growth.

	
      Children This Age May:
		How You Can Help Them Develop:
    
		Children This Age May:
Think through problems and try to solve those problems in different ways.

	   How You Can Help Them Develop:
Ask them questions that apply to real problems and talk with them about different approaches to solving problems (e.g., It is cold outside and I see you only have one glove. What should we do so your hands stay warm?).

Encourage them to think through how to solve problems, even if their solutions aren’t right.

		Children This Age May:
Pretend and make-believe.

      How You Can Help Them Develop:
Encourage them to pretend, such as using sofa cushions or blankets to make a “cave”.

Offer new props to encourage pretend play.

Children This Age May:	How You Can Help Them Develop:
Children This Age May: Think through problems and try to solve those problems in different ways.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Ask them questions that apply to real problems and talk with them about different approaches to solving problems (e.g., It is cold outside and I see you only have one glove. What should we do so your hands stay warm?). Encourage them to think through how to solve problems, even if their solutions aren’t right.
Children This Age May: Pretend and make-believe.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Encourage them to pretend, such as using sofa cushions or blankets to make a “cave”. Offer new props to encourage pretend play.

How Children Learn About Math and Numbers

Children 3-5 years old are starting to understand math and numbers in new ways. Check out the tips below will help you understand what to expect and how to support their development.

	
      Children This Age May:
		How You Can Help Them Develop:
    
		Children This Age May:
Count, group, and sort objects by size, shape, color, or other similarities.

	   How You Can Help Them Develop:
Take advantage of every opportunity to count, group, and sort objects. For example, encourage children to group and sort toys when cleaning up (e.g., all the blocks, all the soft and hard animals).

		Children This Age May:
Understand directions about how things relate to each other such as, “Please put a fork by each plate.”

	   How You Can Help Them Develop:
Help organize toys by pointing out concepts such as “in,” “on,” “under,” and “beside.”

		Children This Age May:
Create patterns using art materials and other objects (e.g., weaving, painting, stringing beads, and building blocks).

	   How You Can Help Them Develop:
Point out naturally occurring patterns indoors and outdoors.

Introduce songs with evolving patterns (e.g., “Bingo” where children clap to substitute additional letters with each verse).

Children This Age May:	How You Can Help Them Develop:
Children This Age May: Count, group, and sort objects by size, shape, color, or other similarities.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Take advantage of every opportunity to count, group, and sort objects. For example, encourage children to group and sort toys when cleaning up (e.g., all the blocks, all the soft and hard animals).
Children This Age May: Understand directions about how things relate to each other such as, “Please put a fork by each plate.”	How You Can Help Them Develop: Help organize toys by pointing out concepts such as “in,” “on,” “under,” and “beside.”
Children This Age May: Create patterns using art materials and other objects (e.g., weaving, painting, stringing beads, and building blocks).	How You Can Help Them Develop: Point out naturally occurring patterns indoors and outdoors. Introduce songs with evolving patterns (e.g., “Bingo” where children clap to substitute additional letters with each verse).

How Children Learn About Science and the World Around Them

Between 3-5 years old, children make more observations about nature and the world around them. Check out the chart below to learn ways you can support their growth and development.

	
      Children This Age May:
		How You Can Help Them Develop:
    
		Children This Age May:
Ask questions and observe the living things around them, like bugs, plants, or animals.

	   How You Can Help Them Develop:
Provide opportunities to observe objects and events indoors and outdoors.

Ask questions and make comments that help children think about how they could learn more. For example, when observing how plants grow, ask, “What do you think will happen if…” or say, “Let’s try to _____ and see what happens.”

		Children This Age May:
Observe nature and make guesses about natural events. For example, they may explain how seeds grow, or how you should care for animals.

	   How You Can Help Them Develop:
Encourage children to ask questions and seek answers by exploring and thinking about what they see.

		Children This Age May:
Express ideas in many ways using their imagination and creativity. They may draw stories or things that interest them.

	   How You Can Help Them Develop:
Provide age-appropriate art materials, like different types of drawing tools, paper, and collage materials.

Children This Age May:	How You Can Help Them Develop:
Children This Age May: Ask questions and observe the living things around them, like bugs, plants, or animals.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Provide opportunities to observe objects and events indoors and outdoors. Ask questions and make comments that help children think about how they could learn more. For example, when observing how plants grow, ask, “What do you think will happen if…” or say, “Let’s try to _____ and see what happens.”
Children This Age May: Observe nature and make guesses about natural events. For example, they may explain how seeds grow, or how you should care for animals.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Encourage children to ask questions and seek answers by exploring and thinking about what they see.
Children This Age May: Express ideas in many ways using their imagination and creativity. They may draw stories or things that interest them.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Provide age-appropriate art materials, like different types of drawing tools, paper, and collage materials.

How Children Learn About People, Places, Events, and Society, and How These Things Relate to Their Lives

During this time frame, children will develop a better understanding of what is happening around them. Watch the video and take a look at the chart below for tips on how to support this stage of development.

	
      Children This Age May:
		How You Can Help Them Develop:
    
		Children This Age May:
Identify how money is used.

	   How You Can Help Them Develop:
Create play situations in which they exchange money for objects.

		Children This Age May:
Describe things that happened to them in the past, like a family trip last summer.

	   How You Can Help Them Develop:
Tell stories about things that happened to them in the past.

Children This Age May:	How You Can Help Them Develop:
Children This Age May: Identify how money is used.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Create play situations in which they exchange money for objects.
Children This Age May: Describe things that happened to them in the past, like a family trip last summer.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Tell stories about things that happened to them in the past.

How Children Learn to Use Their Imaginations and Express Themselves Creatively

From 3-5 years, you will see children show more of their creativity. Watch the video below and read the chart to understand how to better support your child’s development.

	
      Children This Age May:
		How You Can Help Them Develop:
    
		Children This Age May:
Move to different types of music.

	   How You Can Help Them Develop:
Offer different types of music and have them participate by clapping or playing musical instruments.

Provide them with examples of diverse music, including cultural examples and examples in their community and home.

		Children This Age May:
Create drawings based on familiar stories and topics.

	   How You Can Help Them Develop:
Use different types of art materials (e.g., paints, paper, markers, crayons, boxes, clay, and plastic containers) to help them retell a favorite children’s book.

		Children This Age May:
Play pretend for longer periods of time.

	   How You Can Help Them Develop:
Encourage them to pretend by using props such as dress up shoes, pots and pans, and stuffed animals to act out stories and real-life experiences that will get them to think about different roles and scenarios.

Children This Age May:	How You Can Help Them Develop:
Children This Age May: Move to different types of music.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Offer different types of music and have them participate by clapping or playing musical instruments. Provide them with examples of diverse music, including cultural examples and examples in their community and home.
Children This Age May: Create drawings based on familiar stories and topics.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Use different types of art materials (e.g., paints, paper, markers, crayons, boxes, clay, and plastic containers) to help them retell a favorite children’s book.
Children This Age May: Play pretend for longer periods of time.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Encourage them to pretend by using props such as dress up shoes, pots and pans, and stuffed animals to act out stories and real-life experiences that will get them to think about different roles and scenarios.

How Children Learn to Learn

Children 3-5 years old are still “learning to learn.” Read the tips below to help support their learning.

	
      Children This Age May:
		How You Can Help Them Develop:
    
		Children This Age May:
Talk about wanting to learn about a lot of different topics.

	   How You Can Help Them Develop:
Share their excitement in discoveries and learning.

Help them explore and learn more about their neighborhood and community.

Show them how to be curious and how to find information. Act curious yourself.

		Children This Age May:
Play with other children and take turns.

	   How You Can Help Them Develop:
Provide opportunities and model how to play with others. Practice asking for a turn, asking how long it will be until they can have a turn, and listening to friends.

Children This Age May:	How You Can Help Them Develop:
Children This Age May: Talk about wanting to learn about a lot of different topics.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Share their excitement in discoveries and learning. Help them explore and learn more about their neighborhood and community. Show them how to be curious and how to find information. Act curious yourself.
Children This Age May: Play with other children and take turns.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Provide opportunities and model how to play with others. Practice asking for a turn, asking how long it will be until they can have a turn, and listening to friends.

Transition to Kindergarten

As children prepare to transition into kindergarten, there are things that can help them with this change. Watch the video to better understand how to support your child during this transition.

Check out the video below to hear more about the parent / caregiver experience of children 3-5 years old.

View the CO Early Learning and Development Guidelines 3 - 5 Years Tip Sheet for more information on milestones and behaviors for children this age.

The Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines

Are you interested in learning about the expectations for your child's development based on their age? The Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines describe the path of children’s learning and development from birth to 8 years old. Broken down by age and major milestones, the guidelines are a sort of map, helping parents and caregivers navigate their child's early years. Experts from across Colorado developed these guidelines to create a shared understanding and a coordinated approach to learning and development.

Curious about what your little one is thinking at this age? Wondering what you can do to help them thrive and reach their developmental milestones? Check out the guidelines using the link below.

Browse the Guidelines

Download the Guidelines Document

Spanish version

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