


Social-Emotional Developmental Milestones in Preschool
3 Age
4 Age
3 Age
- Plays make-believe with dolls, animals, and people
- Copies adults and friends
- Notices other children and joins them in play
- Shows affection for friends without prompting
- Shows concern for crying friend
- Shows a wide range of emotions
- Calms down within 10 minutes after you leave
- May get upset with major changes in routine
4 Age
- Interested in new experiences
- Pretends to be something else during play (teacher, dog, superhero)
- Make-believe play is more creative and complex
- Dresses and undresses self
- Would rather play with other children than alone
- Can name two or more friends
- Comforts others who are hurt or sad
- Cooperates with other children
- Often can’t tell what’s real and what’s make-believe
- Talks about what they like and what they are interested in
- Likes to be a “helper”
- Changes behavior based on where they are
- Avoids danger, like not jumping from tall heights on the playground


