A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Most children from three to four years of age can do the following:

1. The child knows some of the alphabet sounds and:
   • plays with words and makes up silly words.

   • understands ideas such as beside, above, under, near, and far.

   • knows the names and gender of family members and other personal information.

   • can count, sort, and compare.

   • listens, follows directions, and can focus on a specific task.

2. The child takes turns speaking in a conversation and:
   • can talk about things that happened and make up stories.

   • listens attentively to stories and retells stories.

   • likes being read to and knows about books.

   • enjoys "reading" alone.

3. The child starts to understand the connection between spoken and written words and:
   • can recognize matching sounds and some printed letters and numbers.

   • knows and can make shapes such as circles and squares.

   • may recognize a few words such as own name or words on signs.

   • begins to draw figures that represent people, animals, and objects.

   • holds a pencil or crayon the right way.

   • tries to "write" as a way to tell stories and offer information by scribbling.

Books to read at this level:^*

Three and Four Years of Age:

Country Mouse and City Mouse, by Jan Brett
Stone Soup, by Marcia Brown
The Three Bears, by Paul Galdone
The Story of Ferdinand, by Munro Leaf
Make Way for Ducklings, by Robert McClosky
Tikki, Tikki, Tembo, by Arlene Mosel
The Tale of Peter Rabbit, by Beatrix Potter
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, by William Steig
Lyle, Lyle Crocodile, by Bernard Waber

*Books recommended by the American Library Association.

[Children From Birth to Thirty Six Months]

[Kindergarten Students]