When measuring language development in preschoolers, you are looking at all forms of communication. This includes writing, speaking and understanding. Children progress and develop at different paces, but you need to make sure measurable progress is being made throughout the school year. You can assess this by talking with the student, reading her a story and then asking her what it was about and looking at her handwriting and spelling.
Social development refers to the child's ability to interact with others. It includes how she gets along during playtime, how she follow directions and if she speaks to others and interacts within a group. There is no grade for development in this area, but it is equally important to measure student progress throughout the year.
Cognitive development refers to measuring a student's ability to complete academic tasks. Skills that can be measured in this area include her ability to concentrate on a task and her memorization skills. Cognitive development can be measured and assessed in a variety of ways. Talk with the students and ask them to recall personal information such as their phone number or address. Ask students to put together a puzzle and see if they can complete the task without wandering off. Both of these assessments measure a student's cognitive development.
Emotional development is similar to social development in that there is no concrete way to assess it. Measuring this area of development entails observing the student and watching how she regulates her feelings and reacts to the actions of others.
Measuring physical development in preschoolers involves observing them at play, looking for coordination abilities. Also, watch them as they attempt other gross and fine motor skills such as performing jumping jacks or grasping a pencil correctly. You are looking for positive progression in these skills throughout the course of the school year.