Your Preschooler’s Development – 3 to 5 Years

Two young girls with speech delay are smiling and hugging each other. They are wearing pink shirts, one with a unicorn graphic, and are indoors with a blurred background of furniture and string lights.

Over the next two years your preschooler will develop the understanding, communication and social skills that will prepare them for school. They will become clever little conversationalists and will also start to show you their early reading skills.

Your child now has so much to tell you and they may stumble over their words. This is a normal part of their development as their brain races away at a million miles an hour and their mouth struggles to keep up. Keep an eye on their speech and if you think they are developing a stutter, talk to a speech pathologist.  Learn more about stuttering here.

As your child’s understanding and use of language develops their frustration will decrease.

Explore the links below to learn more.

Developmental Milestones

A two year old with speech delay is sitting outdoors on forest floor, holding a cup of hot chocolate and a piece of bread, wearing a red jacket and blue pants, with blurred hair in the foreground.
3 to 4 years
4 to 5 years
A two year old girl with speech delay, brown hair and blue eyes smiling at the camera, in a colorful playroom or classroom setting.
Play ideas for your preschooler

Language Learning Tips for Preschoolers

Does my child need speech therapy?

Children develop at different paces but within a range that we call ‘typical’. Find out if your preschooler might need to see a speech pathologist.

Three year old boy sits on a bed in front of a dark grey wall.

I’m worried my child will be behind when they start school because English is their second language.

It’s natural to be a bit worried about your little one starting school if English isn’t their first language. Learn all about the benefits of teaching your child more than one language and how you can help them when they start school.

Four year old girl with long brown hair playing in the sand.