Development Three To Four Years
Development Three To Four Years
CHILDREN'S
During the period from three to four
years, children will become very skillful
in motor activities. They will probably
By three years of age, most children During the period from three to four
have the hand control to copy a circle years, verbal skills increase rapidly.
and a straight line. Most children are Vocabulary will grow from about 900
able to feed themselves completely by words at age three to 1500 words by
this age, and they will probably be able age four. During this period of rapid
to dress and undress themselves, as long vocabulary growth, children enjoy
as they can reach the buttons, snaps, learning new and unfamiliar words. They
hooks, etc. Most children will be much also love to play with language by making
better at undressing than dressing at up new words and singing silly songs.
this age. They also enjoy listening to and telling
stories. As children approach four
years of age, they will begin to
Written by Kristin Zolten, M.A. & Nicholas Long, Ph.D., Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Artwork by Scott Snider
©1997, 2006 Page 1
understand and talk about imaginary playing adult roles. Some children may
conditions (“What if...”). have difficulty separating fantasy and
make believe from reality.
Highlights in
Social\Emotional Development Toilet Training
By three years of age, most children By three and a half years, most children
can tell the difference between “mine” have adequate control of their bowels
and “yours,” and they will often refuse and bladder during the daytime, but
to share toys. Most children will begin accidents may still occur at night. Most
to share, however, as they approach children will be able to use the toilet
four years of age. They will then without help by four years of age.
become able to play cooperatively with
other children.
Written by Kristin Zolten, M.A. & Nicholas Long, Ph.D., Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Artwork by Scott Snider
©1997, 2006 Page 2