• Separates from adult without crying; enjoying interacting as part of a peer group

Physical Skills

• Has a broad movement vocabulary and can explore the same movement in diverse ways (“What other parts of your body can twirl?”)
• Loves to walk, run, tiptoe, gallop, hop, or jump and CAN STOP when it is time

Cognitive and Language Skills

• Thinks creatively- has moved from “what animals do you know” to “ what might we see in our pretend tree?”
• Developing abstract language and thought – can sustain pretend play activity and enjoy developing an idea for up to 5 minutes or more
• Call tell a story, relate a series of ideas, connect own experience with those of others
• Know shapes, colors, weather, seasons, counting
• Can do matching games
• Asks questions
• Loves to talk; often shares a running commentary of daily events
• Sits and listens to stories for up to 10 minutes

Social and Emotional Skills

• Recognizes needs of another person; can be empathetic
• Takes turns (usually!)
• Understands classroom rules and why they are important
• Has good patience – can accept “she is playing the wood block, and you have the tamborine today”
• Can sit and listen to a story or musical selection for several minutes, and comment on what they have heard

Musical Skills

• Recites rhymes; Sings simple, whole songs
• Follows a model for movement or instrumental play

If after reviewing the characteristics on this page, you feel your child is really too old for Our Time but not quite ready for Imagine That!, we recommend that you consider enrolling your child in Family Time.  The freedom of the Family Time class offers the ability to adapt to your child’s current level of development and involvement while helping him learn by watching older children and teaching younger children.  Many young preschoolers thrive in such an environment which allows them a greater level of interactiveness and access to more complex musical learning than Our Time while providing more flexibility and freedom than Imagine That!. Additionally, Family Time has the advantage of providing the emotional security of knowing Mom or Dad is right there.  It’s perfect for little people who are in transition.