




What to expect from 3-5 yr olds
| Preschoolers Show: |
Parents can help by: |
| Learn through hands-on experience | Provide learning materials such as blocks, puzzles, crayons, puppets, games, play dough, cooking. Give tasks to do around the house. |
| Lively imaginations | Encourage dramatic play with dolls, stuffed animals, dress-up clothes, toy tools and props used in various occupations. |
| Learn to share, take turns, wait | Offer opportunities to play with other children |
| Assert independence, full of ideas | Offer opportunities to make decisions about what to wear and do and where to go. Praise efforts. |
| Rapid vocabulary increase | Talk, read books, play with words, tell stores, visit the library. |
| Ask many questions, argue and reason | Listen and answer questions |
| Interested in learning about the outside world | Take on outings, broaden experiences. |
| Active until exhausted | Alternate active periods with quiet activities and rest. |
| Able to express feelings in words | Teach appropriate phrases such as, "Can I use it when you're finished?" or "I'm really hungry!" |
| Challenge rules | Be firm when something is important; be flexible with less important issues. |
