--- title: Younger Preschooler (33-48 months) | SDStepAhead description: Learn about the South Dakota Early Learning Guidelines for younger preschoolers (33-48 months). --- [Skip to content](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/younger-preschooler#main-content) [(605) 773-3678](tel:+16057733678) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. Close - Age-Level Continuum - [Infants (Birth - 12 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/infants) - [Younger Toddlers (8-21 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/young-toddler) - [Older Toddlers (18-36 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/older-toddler) - [Younger Preschooler (33-48 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/younger-preschooler) - [Older Preschooler (45-60+ months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/older-preschoolers) - [Transition to Kindergarten](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/transition-to-kindergarten) - Learning Domains - [Approaches to Learning](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/approaches-to-learning) - [Social Development & Emotional Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/social-emotional-development) - [Communication, Language, & Literacy](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/communication-language-literacy) - [Cognitive Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/cognitive-development) - [Health & Physical Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/health-physical-development) - [Appendix A: Supporting Children With Disabilities](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/appendix-a-supporting-children-with-disabilities) - [Appendix B: Supporting Dual Language Learners](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/appendix-b) - About - [Purpose, Children’s Success & Working Together](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/about-sd-stepahead) - [Guiding Principles](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/guiding-principles) - [SDELG Organization](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/sdlg-organization) - [Using SDStepAhead](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/about-sdstepahead) - [Glossary](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/faqs) - [Find Services](https://sdstepahead.com/find-services) - [Professional Development & Resources](https://sdstepahead.com/resources) - [Contact](https://sdstepahead.com/contact) SEARCH [![SD Step Ahead Logo](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/StepAhead-Logo-Color.png?width=858&height=194&name=StepAhead-Logo-Color.png)](https://sdstepahead.com/?hsLang=en) - Age-Level Continuum - [Infants (Birth - 12 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/infants) - [Younger Toddlers (8-21 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/young-toddler) - [Older Toddlers (18-36 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/older-toddler) - [Younger Preschooler (33-48 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/younger-preschooler) - [Older Preschooler (45-60+ months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/older-preschoolers) - [Transition to Kindergarten](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/transition-to-kindergarten) - Learning Domains - [Approaches to Learning](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/approaches-to-learning) - [Social Development & Emotional Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/social-emotional-development) - [Communication, Language, & Literacy](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/communication-language-literacy) - [Cognitive Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/cognitive-development) - [Health & Physical Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/health-physical-development) - [Appendix A: Supporting Children With Disabilities](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/appendix-a-supporting-children-with-disabilities) - [Appendix B: Supporting Dual Language Learners](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/appendix-b) - About - [Purpose, Children’s Success & Working Together](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/about-sd-stepahead) - [Guiding Principles](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/guiding-principles) - [SDELG Organization](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/sdlg-organization) - [Using SDStepAhead](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/about-sdstepahead) - [Glossary](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/faqs) - [Find Services](https://sdstepahead.com/find-services) - [Professional Development & Resources](https://sdstepahead.com/resources) - [Contact](https://sdstepahead.com/contact) ![](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Home%20Page%20-%20Main/Kids%20at%20table%20-YP%20-%20Home.jpeg) # Younger Preschooler (33-48 Months) ##### **Younger Preschoolers are beginning to enjoy playing with other children, especially pretending or involved in [*dramatic play*](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en). Their emotions are usually extreme and short-lived but are beginning to understand others' emotions. They are demonstrating a natural curiosity and are eager to learn.  **   ##### **Since all children develop at their own pace, reaching milestones can vary at occur at different stages. If you have a concern about your child's development, have discussions with your pediatrician. ** ## Areas of Child Development ![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%20of%20happy%20children%20outdoor.jpeg?width=1000&height=531&name=Group%20of%20happy%20children%20outdoor.jpeg) ### Approaches to Learning Children are born with an inclination to learn. This is reflected in behaviors and attitudes such as curiosity, [***problem-solving***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en), maintaining attention, and [***persistence***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en). [Approaches to Learning Developmental Indicators](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/approaches-to-learning-4?hsLang=en) ![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Cute%20kid%20smiling%20and%20holding%20a%20banner%20on%20white%20with%20copy%20space.jpeg?width=1000&height=647&name=Cute%20kid%20smiling%20and%20holding%20a%20banner%20on%20white%20with%20copy%20space.jpeg) ### Social Development & Emotional Development Children's feelings about themselves and their relationships with others is the foundation for personality development. These characteristics and skills impact every other area of development. [Social Development & Emotional Development Developmental Indicators](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/social-emotional-development-4?hsLang=en) ![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Asian%20baby%20kid%20drawing%20at%20home.jpeg?width=1000&height=667&name=Asian%20baby%20kid%20drawing%20at%20home.jpeg) ### Communication, Language & Literacy From birth, children are learning [***language***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en) and developing the ability to communicate. Talking, singing, reading, and responding effectively when children express themselves are great investments supporting learning. [Communication, Language & Literacy Developmental Indicators](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/communication-language-literacy-4?hsLang=en) ![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Boy%20at%20the%20lab%20making%20scientific%20experiments%20-%20isolated%20over%20white.jpeg?width=1000&height=711&name=Boy%20at%20the%20lab%20making%20scientific%20experiments%20-%20isolated%20over%20white.jpeg) ### Cognitive Development This fascinating area of development includes understanding how children acquire, organize, and use information in increasingly complex ways. Through [***play***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en), skills are developed as the foundation for exploring and understanding more sophisticated concepts. [Cognitive Development Developmental Indicators](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/cognitive-developmentages-stages/cognitive-development-4?hsLang=en) ![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Mother%20and%20daughter%20working%20in%20the%20garden.jpeg?width=1000&height=667&name=Mother%20and%20daughter%20working%20in%20the%20garden.jpeg) ### Health & Physical Development Physical growth, muscle development, nutrition, [***self-care***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en), health and safety practices are included in this area. Safe and healthy practices support the ability to learn more effectively in all areas. [Health & Physical Development Developmental Indicators](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/health-physical-development-4?hsLang=en) ## Activities for children 33 to 48 months During these months, children have increased [***independence***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en), [***social skills***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en), [***language***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en) abilities, and cognitive capabilities. Adults play a crucial [***role***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en) in supporting this time of learning, allowing for exploring, having positive relationships, and developing skills needed for when they are age-eligible for kindergarten.  33 to 48 months ##### [33 TO 48 MONTHS APPROACHES TO LEARNING ACTIVITIES](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/Domain%20Activities%20by%20age/ATL%2033-48.png?hsLang=en) ##### [33 TO 48 MONTHS SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT & EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/Domain%20Activities%20by%20age/SDED%2033-48.png?hsLang=en) ##### [33 TO 48 MONTHS COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE & LITERACY ACTIVITIES PG. 1](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/Domain%20Activities%20by%20age/CLL%2033-48%20p1.png?hsLang=en) ##### [33 TO 48 MONTHS COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE & LITERACY ACTIVITIES PG. 2](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/Domain%20Activities%20by%20age/CLL%2033-48%20p2.png?hsLang=en) ##### [33 TO 48 MONTHS COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES PG. 1](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/Domain%20Activities%20by%20age/CD%2033-48%20p1.png?hsLang=en) ##### [33 TO 48 MONTHS COGNITVE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES PG. 2](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/Domain%20Activities%20by%20age/CD%2033-48%20p2.png?hsLang=en) ##### [33 TO 48 MONTHS COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES PG. 3](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/Domain%20Activities%20by%20age/CD%2033-48%20p3.png?hsLang=en) ##### [33 TO 48 MONTHS HEALTH & PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES PG. 1](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/Domain%20Activities%20by%20age/HPD%2033-48%20p1.png?hsLang=en) ##### [33 TO 48 MONTHS HEALTH & PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT PG. 2](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/Domain%20Activities%20by%20age/HPD%2033-48%20p2.png?hsLang=en) ![Cover of the South Dakota Early Learning Guidelines 2023 publication](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Screenshot%202023-11-01%20102158.png "Cover of the South Dakota Early Learning Guidelines 2023 publication") ## Want it all in one place? ### Get your copy of the South Dakota Early Learning Guide. [Download Now](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/PDF%20Files/SDEarlyLearning-2024-web.pdf?hsLang=en) Back to Top [![Return to SD Step Ahead Supporting Early Learners](https://44290554.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na2.net/hub/44290554/hubfs/Home%20Page%20-%20Main/Logo/StepAhead-Logo-Stacked-White.png?width=250&name=StepAhead-Logo-Stacked-White.png)](https://sdstepahead.com/?hsLang=en)   Our mission is to promote healthy child development by educating, inspiring and assisting parents and caregivers. SD Step Ahead is a comprehensive early childhood initiative made possible by the South Dakota Department of Education. - [Find Services by County](https://sdstepahead.com/find-services) - [SD Head Start Collaboration Office](https://doe.sd.gov/headstart/) - [SD Department of Education](https://doe.sd.gov/) - [SD Professional Development](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/SD%20Early%20Childhood%20PD%20Opportunities%20(updated).pdf?hsLang=en) - [HeadStart.gov](https://headstart.gov/) © 2026 SD StepAhead | All Rights Reserved ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "knowsLanguage" : "en", "name" : "", "url" : "https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/younger-preschooler" } ```