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Age 2-5 Learning & Development

If you're worried about your child's development, talk with a professional. A more complete check of your child's development (including vision and/or hearing) can be arranged for free at Eagle County School District's Child Find office. Contact the Child Find Coordinator or call (970) 328-3750.

 

Hearing

Language development can be closely linked to a child's hearing status and the measures taken to address hearing differences. When a child has a hearing loss that is not appropriately identified and strategies are not in place, future school success can be negatively impacted. If concerned about your child's hearing, consult a doctor or audiologist.
 
Check if your child:
  • Responds appropriately to you from another room.
  • Follows new, simple directions without visual supports.
  • Knows the names of key people in their life.
  • Repeats nursery rhymes or songs, with only minor mistakes.
 

Vision

Vision is a primary sense for gathering information. When vision is compromised in the early years, development and learning can be impacted. If there are concerns about a child's vision, it is critical to ensure a comprehensive eye examination is conducted to address those concerns as early as possible.
 
Check if your child:
  • Has eyes free of discharge, excessive redness, or tearing.
  • Has eyes that move together without crossing.
  • Reaches accurately for objects and notices curbs, stairs, or changes in ground surfaces.
  • Follows moving targets like people or pets.
 

Common Abilities by Age

Most Two-Year-Olds:
  • Combine two words together, like "more milk."
  • Use their own names to talk about themselves.
  • Walk, run, jump, and throw a ball.
  • Like doing things their own way and say "no" often.
  • Engage in pretend play (e.g., feeding dolls or animals, talking on a play phone).
  • Know the function of common household objects (toothbrush, phone).
Most Three-Year-Olds:
  • Follow two simple requests (get the book and put it on the table).
  • Use objects symbolically (using a banana for a phone, or a block for a car).
  • Talk about feelings, tell pretend stories, and can be understood by family members.
  • Use the bathroom during the day.
  • Begin to take turns with toys and play with other children.
Most Four-Year-Olds:
  • Can catch a large ball and throw a ball overhand.
  • Enjoy singing simple songs.
  • Use crayons to draw on paper.
  • Like pretend play, but may not always know the difference between "real" and "pretend."
  • Begin to express their own feelings (mad, happy, etc.) in words.
  • Say sentences with four or more words and are understood by most people.
Most Five-Year-Olds:
  • Sing, dance, or act for you.
  • Use words about time, like "yesterday," "tomorrow," "morning," or "night."
  • Keep a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges.
  • Answer simple questions about a book or story after you read or tell it to them.
  • Follow rules or take turns when playing games with other children.
 

If you have concerns for children under the age of 34 1/2 months (almost three-year-olds), please reach out to Early Intervention Colorado.