The Discovery column on the continua addresses children’s development during the ages of 3, 4 and 5. We know that children process and assimilate information at different rates; thus, it is typical to see the skills listed in this column demonstrated by children in this age range.

Typically, children who are operating in this column have acquired strong verbal and non-verbal skills. They are full of questions about the world around them and love learning new things from those in their environment. They are starting to recite rote items like familiar signs, count and recognize colors, shapes and beginning patterns. Their small motor skills are just starting to develop, and while not yet creating representational pictures, they can explain all the details of each mark on their paper.

Socially, children working at this level present as somewhat egocentric and engage most often in parallel play activities. They are magical thinkers who are not sure of fantasy and reality...are unicorns real?