In preschool, children should learn emotional skills such as the ability to verbally express a wide range of emotions, express preferences and to see themselves as whole people, including their bodies, minds and feelings. Socially, they should be able to share and take turns with assistance from adults, to engage in fantasy play and to attempt to find solutions to issues. By the time preschoolers are 4, they should be able to follow short verbal directions from adults and pay increasing attention in large groups.
By the time a child is ready to move on to kindergarten, he should have phonetic awareness: the ability to know that letters make sounds. He should be able to speak in full sentences and carry on a conversation for at least two exchanges. He should know how to name items in simple categories such as colors, foods and animals. A preschooler should achieve basic literacy skills such as knowing the letters in her own name. She should also have the ability to attempt to write her own name and begin stringing letters together to make "words." She should have the ability recognize the cover of her favorite books and be showing an interest in what adults write, as well as in typing and using a computer.
By the time the child leaves preschool, he should be able to observe objects and to understand cause and effect. He should be able to count aloud from 1 to 10 and understand the basic concepts of quantity such as "more," "less," "bigger" and "smaller." The child should know six to eight colors and at least three shapes. She should understand sequence and be able to sort objects. She should be able to make the connection that pictures and objects may be representations of other things. She should be able to solve a simple puzzle of six to eight pieces.
A child in preschool on the verge of entering kindergarten should have developed some large motor skills such as the ability to hop on one foot, to throw and catch a ball, and to balance on a plank. He should be able to ride a tricycle. In terms of fine motor skills, the child should be able to hold writing utensils with a mature grip and to cut with scissors while turning the paper. She should have the ability to eat and drink independently and to dress and undress with minimal assistance, and be able to wash her own hands independently.