What Should Your Preschooler Know at Different Ages?

What are Developmental Milestones and
Why are they Important
Physical Milestones: Gross Motor Skills
for Preschoolers
Physical Milestones: Fine Motor Skills
for Preschoolers
Communication and Cognitive
Milestones for Preschoolers
Personal and Social-Emotional
Milestones for Preschoolers
Is my child hitting their developmental milestones?
We know that parents in Singapore are often concerned about how their kids are progressing, especially in the early years between two and six.
During the baby days, you may have recorded your child’s first smiles, the first attempts at rolling over and crawling, and those precious first steps! Apart from celebrating these magical moments, you would also be assured that your baby is developing well.
Now that your baby has grown into a lively preschooler, what abilities or skills should he or she have? To answer this question, you’ll need a list of developmental milestones—but don’t worry, we’ll help you along!
What are Developmental Milestones, and Why Are They Important?
Although every child grows and learns at a different rate, and this is absolutely normal, research has given us a clear picture of how the average child develops.
For instance, most children learn to crawl when they are about nine months old! Skills such as crawling and walking are known as developmental milestones, because they are usually acquired by a certain age.
If a child reaches several developmental milestones earlier than expected, he or she could be an advanced learner.
However, if a child takes much longer than expected to reach a milestone, it could mean that a child needs more experiences in that area. It could in some cases be a sign of a developmental delay for various reasons.
In both scenarios, a child might need extra support—from a professional such as a pediatrician or child psychologist—in order to reach his or her full potential. By knowing what to look out for, you can notice if something seems out of the ordinary, and decide if you want to seek help.
Parents who are Singapore citizens can log into the HealthHub website or app (App Store | Google Play) to access a personalized milestones guide for their children. For your convenience, we’ve also listed these milestones below!
Physical Milestones: Gross Motor Skills for Preschoolers
Gross motor skills (also known as large motor skills) require whole-body movements, and they involve the large muscles in our torso, legs, and arms. Examples of early gross motor skills are sitting up, standing, crawling, and walking.
At Shaws, when we focus on the gross motor skills, we also include the core muscles that are important for balance and coordination.
Children with gross motor difficulties may try to avoid sports and exercise. They may also feel drained by everyday activities like sitting in a classroom or moving through a crowded environment.
Below are some important gross motor skills to look out for in your preschooler:
Age | Milestone | How to Assess | When to Expect |
2 years (playgroup) | Standing and taking a few steps without support | When your child is in a standing position, try letting go. They may tumble at first, but soon, they’ll be able to stand on their own for 10 seconds or more. | From 14.5 months |
Bending to pick up toys | Notice if your child bends to pick up a toy, and returns to a standing position without sitting down or pushing against the floor. | From 15.5 months | |
Walking independently | Can your little one walk without help? Don’t worry if they are still unsteady—they will be able to take confident steps soon! | From 16 months | |
Walking up stairs with support | Your child may attempt to climb up the stairs while holding on to an adult or the handrail. | From 21.5 months | |
4 years (N2) | Walking down steps independently | Your child might try walking down several steps, without the help of an adult. They might still hold on to the handrail—let them practice stair-climbing in a safe environment! | From 24.5 months |
Kicking a ball | Show your child how to kick a ball, and see if they imitate you. Don’t worry if your child misses—give it time! | From 26 months | |
Jumping with both feet in the air | Your little one may have started jumping off curbs and steps. Observe if they are also able to jump with both feet in the air at the same time! | From 32.5 months | |
3 years (N1) | Balancing on one foot (one second) | This is a skill that needs strength, coordination, and body awareness. See if your child can balance on one foot for at least one second, without support. | From 37 months |
Pedaling a tricycle | Your little one may take a while to learn how to work the pedals on a tricycle. Stand a short distance away, and let him or her pedal towards you! | From 41.5 months | |
Walking up and down the stairs | You may notice that your child is now able to use alternating feet to walk up and down the stairs independently. | From 43.5 months | |
Balancing on one foot (more than one second) | Play balancing games with your child, and see if he or she can balance on one foot for two seconds or more, without support. | From 46.5 months | |
5–6 years (K1/K2) | Hopping on one foot | Play games like hopscotch with your child. See if your child is able to hop on one foot (at least twice) without support. | From 53.5 months |
Balancing on one foot (more than five seconds) | As your child’s muscles get stronger, he or she will be able to balance on one foot for five seconds or more, without support. | From 57 months |
Age | 2 years (playgroup) |
Milestone | Standing and taking a few steps without support |
Bending to pick up toys | |
Walking independently | |
Walking up stairs with support | |
How to assess | When your child is in a standing position, try letting go. They may tumble at first, but soon, they’ll be able to stand on their own for 10 seconds or more. |
Notice if your child bends to pick up a toy, and returns to a standing position without sitting down or pushing against the floor. | |
Can your little one walk without help? Don’t worry if they are still unsteady—they will be able to take confident steps soon! | |
Your child may attempt to climb up the stairs while holding on to an adult or the handrail. | |
When to Expect | From 14.5 months |
From 15.5 months | |
From 16 months | |
From 21.5 months | |
Age | 3 years (N1) |
Milestone | Walking down steps independently |
Kicking a ball | |
Jumping with both feet in the air | |
How to assess | Your child might try walking down several steps, without the help of an adult. They might still hold on to the handrail—let them practise stair-climbing in a safe environment! |
Show your child how to kick a ball, and see if they imitate you. Don’t worry if your child misses—give it time! | |
Your little one may have started jumping off curbs and steps. Observe if they are also able to jump with both feet in the air at the same time! | |
When to Expect | From 24.5 months |
From 26 months | |
From 32.5 months | |
Age | 4 years (N2) |
Milestone | Balancing on one foot (one second) |
Pedalling a tricycle | |
Walking up and down the stairs | |
Balancing on one foot (more than one second) | |
How to assess | This is a skill that needs strength, coordination, and body awareness. See if your child can balance on one foot for at least one second, without support. |
Your little one may take a while to learn how to work the pedals on a tricycle. Stand a short distance away, and let him or her pedal towards you! | |
You may notice that your child is now able to use alternating feet to walk up and down the stairs independently. | |
Play balancing games with your child, and see if he or she can balance on one foot for two seconds or more, without support. | |
When to Expect | From 37 months |
From 41.5 months | |
From 43.5 months | |
From 46.5 months | |
Age | 5–6 years (K1/K2) |
Milestone | Hopping on one foot |
Balancing on one foot (more than five seconds) | |
How to assess | Play games like hopscotch with your child. See if your child is able to hop on one foot (at least twice) without support. |
As your child’s muscles get stronger, he or she will be able to balance on one foot for five seconds or more, without support. | |
When to Expect | From 53.5 months |
From 57 months |
Physical Milestones: Fine Motor Skills for Preschoolers
Fine motor skills involve precise movements like grasping a spoon, holding a crayon, drawing shapes, and picking up small objects.
Children with fine motor difficulties will find it hard to handle objects with their hands. They may have trouble with daily tasks such as tying their shoelaces. In school, they may struggle to write and draw.
Below are some important fine motor skills to look out for in your preschooler:
Age | Milestone | How to Assess | When to Expect |
2 years (playgroup) | Grasping things with pincer grip | Has your child started to pick up small objects (e.g. a raisin), using the thumb and index finger? This is the time to baby-proof your home! | From 13.5 months |
Scribbling and doodling | If your child can grasp small objects, they may be ready to doodle and scribble. Get crayons and paper, and doodle together! | From 16 months | |
Stacking two-storey towers | Let your little one play with building blocks. Watch if your child is able to stack two blocks, without them falling. | From 17 months | |
Stacking four-storey towers | Have fun with your child by building towers together! See if your child has progressed to stacking four or more blocks, to create steady towers. | From 23 months | |
3–4 years (N1/N2) | Stacking six-storey towers | Your child’s hand-eye coordination has been improving! They may be able to stack six or more blocks by now. | From 29 months |
Stacking eight-storey towers | Can your child stack up to eight blocks without them falling down? | From 35.5 months | |
Drawing a vertical line | Can your child draw a vertical line without help? Draw a line for your child, and see if they too can draw a fairly straight line (over 5 cm). | From 38.5 months | |
Identifying the longer line | Draw two lines, one longer than the other. Show your child which is the longer line, and see if your child can also identify the longer line. | From 46.5 months | |
Copying the drawing of a circle | Show your child how to draw a circle. Then let your child copy your drawing. | From 47 months | |
5–6 years (K1/K2) | Copying the drawing of a cross | Let your child try drawing two lines that intersect. The lines may not be straight, and the cross may not be perfect—this is normal! | From 50 months |
Copying the drawing of a square | Draw a square, and let your child copy it. They will eventually learn that to form a square, one needs to make fairly straight lines, with four corners. | From 56 months | |
Drawing stick figures | Give your child crayons and pencils, and have fun drawing stick figures together! | From 57.5 months | |
Drawing more complex figures | If your child loves drawing, they can try drawing people with more details, such as the close-up of a face, or arms with hands and fingers. | From 62.5 months |
Age | 2 years (playgroup) |
Milestone | Grasping things with pincer grip |
Scribbling and doodling | |
Stacking two-storey towers | |
Stacking four-storey towers | |
How to assess | Has your child started to pick up small objects (e.g. a raisin), using the thumb and index finger? This is the time to baby-proof your home! |
If your child can grasp small objects, they may be ready to doodle and scribble. Get crayons and paper, and doodle together! | |
Let your little one play with building blocks. Watch if your child is able to stack two blocks, without them falling. | |
Have fun with your child by building towers together! See if your child has progressed to stacking four or more blocks, to create steady towers. | |
When to Expect | From 13.5 months |
From 16 months | |
From 17 months | |
From 23 months | |
Age | 3–4 years (N1/N2) |
Milestone | Stacking six-storey towers |
Stacking eight-storey towers | |
Drawing a vertical line | |
Identifying the longer line | |
Copying the drawing of a circle | |
How to assess | Your child’s hand-eye coordination has been improving! They may be able to stack six or more blocks by now. |
Can your child stack up to eight blocks without them falling down? | |
Can your child draw a vertical line without help? Draw a line for your child, and see if they too can draw a fairly straight line (over 5 cm). | |
Draw two lines, one longer than the other. Show your child which is the longer line, and see if your child can also identify the longer line. | |
Show your child how to draw a circle. Then let your child copy your drawing. The early attempts may not look like circles, but that’s OK! | |
When to Expect | From 29 months |
From 35.5 months | |
From 38.5 months | |
From 46.5 months | |
From 47 months | |
Age | 5–6 years (K1/K2) |
Milestone | Copying the drawing of a cross |
Copying the drawing of a square | |
Drawing stick figures | |
Drawing more complex figures | |
How to assess | Let your child try drawing two lines that intersect. The lines may not be straight, and the cross may not be perfect—this is normal! |
Draw a square, and let your child copy it. They will eventually learn that to form a square, one needs to make fairly straight lines, with four corners. | |
Give your child crayons and pencils, and have fun drawing stick figures together! | |
If your child loves drawing, they can try drawing people with more details, such as the close-up of a face, or arms with hands and fingers. | |
When to Expect | From 50 months |
From 56 months | |
From 57.5 months | |
From 62.5 months |
Communication and Cognitive Milestones for Preschoolers
Communication milestones involve both verbal and non-verbal communication. From gesturing to using words and constructing sentences, communication milestones are important for any growing child.
What about cognitive milestones? These revolve around a child’s ability to think, learn, and solve problems. Examples of cognitive milestones include a baby learning to respond to facial expressions, and a child learning to use words correctly.
Below are some communication and cognitive skills to look out for in your preschooler:
Age | Milestone | How to Assess | When to Expect |
2 years (playgroup) | Saying “Mama” or “Papa” | Has your little one started to address you as “Mama” or “Papa?” You must be looking forward to this! | From 14.5 months |
Pointing to body parts | When you say “nose,” can your child point to the correct body part? How about the eyes, ears, hands, hair, legs, and stomach? By now, your child should be able to correctly identify at least two body parts! | From 19 months | |
Starting to use words | Apart from “Mama” and “Papa”, can your child say three more words, and use them in the same way each time? | From 21 months | |
3 years (N1) | Pointing correctly to two pictures | Show your child a set of five picture cards, and name them. Can your child point correctly to at least two picture cards? | From 25.5 months |
Combining words | Has your child started to use word combinations like “play ball” or “want drink?” To help your child develop language skills, spend plenty of time talking to your child, singing songs together, and reading books aloud! | From 27 months | |
Pointing correctly to four pictures | Show your child a set of five picture cards, and name them. Can your child point correctly to at least four picture cards? | From 28.5 months | |
Naming two pictures correctly | Using your set of five picture cards, can your child name at least two pictures correctly? | From 30 months | |
4 years (N2) | Naming four pictures correctly | From your set of five picture cards, is your child able to name at least four pictures correctly? | From 37 months |
Knowing one’s name/age/sex | Does your child know their name, age, and gender? Let your child practise answering questions like “What is your name?” | From 40 months | |
Speaking in complete sentences | Is your child able to make sentences with words like “and” or “but?” | From 48 months | |
5–6 years (K1/K2) | Counting from 1 to 10 | Can your child count from one to 10? Count together, sing number songs, and read counting books! | From 52 months |
Knowing the purpose of objects | Does your child know what a cup is for? How about a pencil, or a chair? | From 55.5 months | |
Naming three colours correctly | Play games with your child that involve naming colours—they should be able to identify at least three colours! | From 63.5 months | |
Placing and counting objects | Get eight blocks. Put a paper next to the blocks. Ask your child to take one block and put it on the paper. Repeat the process with three blocks, and then with five blocks! | From 64 months |
Age | 2 years (playgroup) |
Milestone | Saying “Mama” or “Papa” |
Pointing to body parts | |
Starting to use words | |
How to assess | Has your little one started to address you as “Mama” or “Papa?” You must be looking forward to this! |
When you say “nose,” can your child point to the correct body part? How about the eyes, ears, hands, hair, legs, and stomach? By now, your child should be able to correctly identify at least two body parts! | |
Apart from “Mama” and “Papa”, can your child say three more words, and use them in the same way each time? | |
When to Expect | From 14.5 months |
From 19 months | |
From 21 months | |
Age | 3 years (N1) |
Milestone | Pointing correctly to two pictures |
Combining words | |
Pointing correctly to four pictures | |
Naming two pictures correctly | |
How to assess | Show your child a set of five picture cards, and name them. Can your child point correctly to at least two picture cards? |
Has your child started to use word combinations like “play ball” or “want drink?” To help your child develop language skills, spend plenty of time talking to your child, singing songs together, and reading books aloud! | |
Show your child a set of five picture cards, and name them. Can your child point correctly to at least four picture cards? | |
Using your set of five picture cards, can your child name at least two pictures correctly? | |
When to Expect | From 25.5 months |
From 27 months | |
From 28.5 months | |
From 30 months | |
Age | 4 years (N2) |
Milestone | Naming four pictures correctly |
Knowing one’s name/age/sex | |
Speaking in complete sentences | |
How to assess | From your set of five picture cards, is your child able to name at least four pictures correctly? |
Does your child know their name, age, and gender? Let your child practice answering questions like “What is your name?” | |
Is your child able to make sentences with words like “and” or “but?” | |
When to Expect | From 37 months |
From 40 months | |
From 48 months | |
Age | 5–6 years (K1/K2) |
Milestone | Counting from 1 to 10 |
Knowing the purpose of objects | |
Naming three colours correctly | |
Placing and counting objects | |
How to assess | Can your child count from one to 10? Count together, sing number songs, and read counting books! |
Does your child know what a cup is for? How about a pencil, or a chair? | |
Play games with your child that involve naming colours—they should be able to identify at least three colours! | |
Get eight blocks. Put a paper next to the blocks. Ask your child to take one block and put it on the paper. Repeat the process with three blocks, and then with five blocks! | |
When to Expect | From 52 months |
From 55.5 months | |
From 63.5 months | |
From 64 months |