What your child should be able to do

  • Your child should be now able to walk up and down stairs without holding onto a rail
  • They will be jumping well with feet together and from a step
  • They will be beginning to appreciate size and movements of their own body in relation to the objects and space around them
  • They will be now able to ride a tricycle using pedals and can steer it around wide corners
  • They will be able to stand momentarily on one foot when shown 
  • Ball skills will be developing, they should be able to throw ball overhand and catch a large ball with straight arms.  Can kick a ball forcibly
  • Your child should be able to build a tower of approximately 9 or 10 small block
  • They will be able to copy a block design of up to 6 blocks
  • Open zip lock bags, containers and lunch boxes
  • Trace on thick lines
  • Use their dominant hand most of the time
  • Copy a circle or imitating a cross
  • Hold a pencil with thumb and fingers on opposite sides of the pencil
  • Thread a sequence of small beads onto string
  • Cut roughly around pictures
  • Complete 4-6 piece puzzles
  • Coordinate hands to brush teeth
  • Dress independently including large buttons, socks, and shoes (not laces)
How you can help

Parents often worry about their children’s feet turning in when they walk, walking with an in-toeing pattern can be normal around this age and will gradually correct as your child grows.  The APCP have produced an informative advice leaflet which explains more about this: Intoeing Gait 

Let them draw using colouring pens (you can get washable ones!) get them copying circles and shapes. Draw with them - they will like taking it in turns.

Encourage them to try and keep in the lines in colouring books.

Play at chopping and shaping play dough, cutting out with play scissors, and dressing teddies and dolls.

Let your child try to do their own buttons and zips. It may take longer but these are important skills, and they will get quicker. 

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have produced an interactive questionnaire for children aged 3 ½ to 5 years old. It gives you activity ideas to develop some of the skills children need to join in at school

Starting primary school - BBC Bitesize

Potty training advice can be found here: How to potty train - NHS (www.nhs.uk) 

When to seek support

  • Not able to jump
  • Not able to walk up and down stairs.
  • Not toilet trained by day
  • Not able to draw lines and circles
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