Library
Ages 3–5
Updated 25 Oct 2026
How your child is growing
- Many children put on some clothes, use a fork and string large beads. A little later they catch a large ball and hold a crayon between fingers and thumb rather than in a fist.
- Your child holds a short back-and-forth conversation, asks “who”, “what”, “where” and “why”, and is understood by others most of the time.
- Sentences grow longer. Many children say some words from a song or story and tell you at least one thing that happened in their day.
- Your child draws a circle when shown how, names a few colours and can tell what comes next in a well-known story.
- Your child notices other children and joins in, enjoys pretending to be a teacher, a superhero or an animal, and likes being a helper.
- Your child comforts a friend who is sad and usually settles a little while after you leave at drop-off. Behaviour starts to change with the place, such as a library or a playground.
How you can walk alongside
- Keep reading together and ask “What is happening?” and “What do you think will happen next?”. Let your child choose books at a library or bookshop.
- Speak in full sentences with grown-up words. When your child says something, repeat it back and add a little more.
- Name feelings together and teach ways to calm down. When your child is upset, help them work through the steps to solve the problem.
- Keep a few rules simple, clear and consistent, and explain the behaviour you expect. Praise your child for following them.
- Offer a small number of simple choices: what to wear, when to play, what to have as a snack. Let your child help with simple chores such as getting a meal ready.
- Make chances to play with other children at the park, the playground or a class. When they disagree, guide with questions and let them try to find a way first.
- Before the first day of preschool, visit together, play “school” at home and start the new bedtime and wake-up time a few weeks ahead. At the gate, a short and cheerful goodbye ritual helps.
Changes and things to keep in mind
- Regular sleep and wake-up times and a calm bedtime routine help your child sleep well. The CDC suggests screens off well before bed and no devices in the bedroom.
- Eat together and let your child see you enjoying vegetables, fruit and whole grains. Go easy on foods high in added sugar, salt or fat.
- Both the CDC and WHO advise a daily limit on screen time at this age, with good-quality programmes and an adult present.
- Your child needs active, unstructured play every day. Let them choose: tag, hide-and-seek, dancing to music.
- Explain why the road is not a place to play. Your child wears a helmet on a tricycle.
- An adult watches whenever your child plays outdoors or near water, a paddling pool included. Swimming lessons are worth it when you can arrange them.
- Teach your child how to stay safe around strangers, and check playground equipment for loose parts or sharp edges.
When to ask a doctor
- Your child has lost skills they once had.
- Your child is not yet doing one or more of the things many children this age do, such as back-and-forth conversation, speaking clearly enough to be understood, or joining other children in play.
- Your child was born prematurely or has special healthcare needs. Mention this to the doctor at check-ups.
- You have any other concern about your child’s development. Share it with the doctor and ask about developmental screening; if the concern remains, you can ask for a referral to a specialist.
Sources
- CDC – Milestones by 3 Years (accessed 4 Oct 2026)
- UNICEF Parenting – How to prepare your child for preschool (accessed 4 Oct 2026)
- CDC – Positive Parenting Tips: Preschoolers (3–5 years old) (accessed 4 Oct 2026)
- CDC – Milestones by 4 Years (accessed 4 Oct 2026)
- WHO – To grow up healthy, children need to sit less and play more (news release, 24 April 2019) (accessed 4 Oct 2026)
This article helps you understand and prepare. It does not replace a check-up. For an answer about your own situation, please ask the doctor who is caring for you.