Since birth, you've watched your child grow and develop. You've noted his height and weight, when he crawled, stood, and walked, even when he spoke his first words — and perhaps compared all of these milestones of his infant and toddler years to the "norms." The preschool and early school years are also full of changes. From three to five your child's motor skills, language, thinking, and social development change dramatically.

As a parent, there are many decisions to be made and changes that occur when your child begins preschool. During the preschool years, your child is making cognitive advancements, growing socially and emotionally, and developing language and literacy skills. Read on for information about this important time in a child's development.

As a parent, there are many decisions to be made and changes that occur when your child begins preschool. During the preschool years, your child is making cognitive advancements, growing socially and emotionally, and developing language and literacy skills. Read on for information about this important time in a child's development.

Physical development
physical development and coordination has become quite good
enjoys roller skating, riding bikes, and jumping rope
enthusiastic about games
begining to play team sports
fine motor skills are increasing
devotes time in perfecting motor skills

Your child's growing independence from the family and interest in friends might be obvious by now. Healthy friendships are very important to your child's development, but peer pressure can become strong during this time. Children who feel good about themselves are more able to resist negative peer pressure and make better choices for themselves. This is an important time for children to gain a sense of responsibility along with their growing independence. Also, physical changes of puberty might be showing by now, especially for girls. Another big change children need to prepare for during this time is starting middle or junior high school.

Think fifth grade was a bumpy ride? Welcome to middle school, the roller coaster of puberty, peer pressure, and social insecurity. As their bodies change, so do their social interactions: middle schoolers are constantly seeking to assert themselves socially as they look for affirmation in their newly maturing bodies.

Got a teenager? Our guide has all the bases covered. Whether it's talking to your child about dating, exploring college, or just dealing with teenage angst, here's what to expect in high school. Keep learning interesting with dozens of high school activities from SAT espionage to CSI science

Got a teenager? Our guide has all the bases covered. Whether it's talking to your child about dating, exploring college, or just dealing with teenage angst, here's what to expect in high school. Keep learning interesting with dozens of high school activities from SAT espionage to CSI science.