Preschool Development Ages 3-5 years

Physical Development Preschoolers: are more active because they can do more things! have increased motor skills body fat decreases- appears less baby like Have smaller appetites Growth is slow

Cognitive Development Preschoolers: Can sort objects, but usually by only one category at a time Love to ask why

Have an understanding of the basic concepts taught in school: size, shape, color, counting, alphabet, etc. Do not think abstractly

Preschoolers do not understand the concept of conservation

Emotional Development Preschoolers: have an increased range of emotions compared to the toddler years

Desire independence (“I can do it myself,” “Let me try.” etc.)

Social Development Preschoolers: Have make believe friends Have unstable friendships Learn to take turns and share Are less selfish but have a hard time thinking about how others are feeling ( empathy) Begin cooperative play- when children play and interact with each other during play Small groups are first, then bigger groups

Moral Development Make moral decisions based on rewards or consequences