Preschoolers also make great strides in problem solving skills, generating a variety of strategies for finding solutions. Around the same time, children begin to construct a set of beliefs about mental activities. Through informal experiences, preschoolers also develop a basic understanding of written symbols and mathematical concepts. A stimulating home environment, warm parenting, and reasonable demands for mature behavior continue to predict mental development in early childhood. Formal academic training in early childhood undermines motivation and other aspects of emotional well-being.
Language development proceeds at a rapid pace during early childhood.
By the end of the preschool years, children have an extensive vocabulary, use most of the grammatical constructions of their language competently, and are effective conversationalists.