Developmental Milestones: What to Expect from Toddlers, Pre-K, and Kindergarten Children

Every parent wants to ensure their child is developing at a healthy pace. Understanding developmental milestones can provide peace of mind and help you recognize when extra support might be needed. At Kids Campus, our Early Childhood Learning Centers in Lynbrook and Valley Stream focus on nurturing each child's unique growth through age-appropriate learning environments.

In this article, we’ll break down the major developmental milestones by age group—toddlers, pre-K, and kindergarten—so you’ll know what to expect and how to support your child every step of the way.

What Are Developmental Milestones?

Developmental milestones are a set of functional skills or age-specific tasks most children can do within a certain age range. These include physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and language skills. While every child develops at their own pace, tracking these milestones helps caregivers and educators identify normal patterns or potential delays early on.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a helpful guide for parents looking to track developmental progress across all stages of early childhood.

Toddler Milestones (Ages 1–3)

Toddlers are busy learning how to move, communicate, and assert their independence. This is a period of rapid growth, and it’s common to see big changes in just a few months.

Key Milestones:

• Physical Development: Walking, climbing stairs, beginning to run, scribbling with crayons.

• Language: Saying 50+ words by age 2, combining 2–3 word phrases.
  Cognitive: Sorting shapes and colors, beginning to understand object permanence.

• Social/Emotional: Displaying temper tantrums, showing affection to familiar people, parallel play with other children.

At Kids Campus, our toddler classrooms are designed to support safe exploration and self-expression through guided play and teacher-led activities. You can learn more about our toddler programs here.

Pre-K Milestones (Ages 3–4)

Pre-K children begin to develop greater independence and more refined motor skills. Their imaginations soar, and they start to understand the world in new, more structured ways.

Key Milestones:

• Motor Skills: Hopping on one foot, using safety scissors, dressing independently.

• Language: Speaking in full sentences, asking questions, telling stories.

• Cognitive: Understanding time concepts (morning, night), recognizing numbers and letters.

• Social: Cooperative play, taking turns, showing empathy, following simple rules.

In our Pre-K programs, we emphasize a blend of academic readiness and social-emotional learning. Our curriculum prepares children for kindergarten by introducing foundational math, literacy, and problem-solving activities. Explore our Pre-K curriculum to see how we build confidence and curiosity in every child.

Kindergarten Milestones (Ages 5–6)

By kindergarten, most children are ready to apply their earlier learning in more complex ways. This is a critical time for laying the groundwork for academic success.

Key Milestones:

• Academic: Recognizing high-frequency words, counting to 100, simple addition and subtraction.

• Language: Retelling stories, understanding opposites, writing their name and basic sentences.

• Emotional: Identifying feelings, managing transitions, following multi-step directions.

• Social: Making lasting friendships, showing responsibility, working well in group settings.

At Kids Campus, our Kindergarten readiness focus is not only about academics but also fostering a love of learning. Research from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) shows that children who receive developmentally appropriate early education are more likely to thrive long term.

What to Do If You're Concerned

If you notice your child is not meeting expected milestones, it doesn’t automatically mean there’s a developmental issue. Children develop at different rates. However, early intervention can be key if delays are present. Speak to your pediatrician or consult specialists like a child psychologist or speech therapist. You can also access free milestone checklists and resources from the CDC's Learn the Signs. Act Early. initiative.

At Kids Campus, we work closely with families and professionals to support every child’s needs. If you have concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to us through our contact page.

Supporting Your Child's Development at Home

You play the most important role in your child’s development. Here are some practical ways to encourage healthy growth:

• Read daily to build language and listening skills.

• Encourage playtime with peers for social development.

• Create a routine to build structure and security.

• Ask open-ended questions to promote critical thinking.

• Celebrate small wins to boost self-esteem and motivation.

By staying informed about developmental milestones and providing a nurturing environment, you’re giving your child the best possible start in life.

Partner with Kids Campus

Whether you're navigating the toddler years or preparing for kindergarten, Kids Campus is here to help. With dedicated educators and a nurturing environment, we support each child’s unique journey. Learn more about our philosophy and programs or schedule a visit to one of our Lynbrook or Valley Stream locations.

Help your child grow, thrive, and achieve their milestones with confidence—because every step matters.