Age Group Characteristics of Two-, Three-, and Four-Year Olds

Children grow and develop stages that follow a predictable sequence of steps and milestones, though the rates at which they go through these developmental steps differ. Since children develop at different rates, preschool teachers must be careful about labeling any child. Understanding the principles and stages of growth and development will help you plan suitable activities and enrichment experiences. The more you know and understand about the growth and development of preschoolers, the more you can support and maintain each child’s learning.

Files are in PDF format. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, you can download Acrobat Reader here. Once you download the file and complete the activities, e-mail the completed course file to us and you will receive a certificate of completion.



Dr. Charles Walker About the Instructor:

Dr. Charles Walker is the Executive Director of the Tennessee Association of Christian Schools. He also serves as the President of Take Tenn Publications. For 22 years, Dr. Walker served as the editor of the Journal for Christian Educators. He has authored several staff development manuals, school improvement materials, and is the co-author of Study Right, a popular study skills curriculum written for Christian school students in grades 4-12. He has written numerous educational articles for national and state Christian association publications. A well-respected educator in the educational community, he currently serves as the chair of the Advisory Council for Non-Public Schools to the Tennessee State Commissioner of Education.

Dr. Walker began his professional career in 1963 as a junior high and senior high school science teacher. Afterwards, he served as a principal and superintendent at three Oklahoma public schools and then as the principal of Trinity Christian School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He assumed the position of Executive Director of Tennessee Association of Christian Schools in 1977. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Teaching degree from Southwestern State College in Weatherford, Oklahoma, and a Professional Certificate in Educational Administration from The University of Oklahoma. He received honorary doctorate degrees from Pensacola Christian College and Midwestern Baptist College.