Final answer:
For a typically developing 3.5-year-old like Cathal, it is appropriate to expect skills such as counting to 10 and recognizing letters, but \(\mu\)ltiplication skills would not be an appropriate expectation as they are too advanced for this age group.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cathal is a typically developing 3.5-year-old. At this stage in development, it would not be an appropriate expectation for his math and literacy skills to include multiplication skills. Preschool-age children like Cathal are typically able to engage in learning tasks such as counting to 10, basic letter recognition, and could maybe comprehend reading very simple sentences.
By the age of three and a half, most children have made significant strides in cognitive development. They often possess the ability to handle simple puzzles, understand and follow basic routines, and express themselves using short and simple sentences. However, the concept of multiplication is far too advanced for a child in this age group. At 3.5 years of age, Cathal would be expected to be able to dress himself with some assistance, understand the use of a toilet, engage in pretend play, and ask a multitude of 'Why?' questions as he explores the world around him. Development in literacy would typically begin with recognition of letters and potentially connecting them to sounds, rather than reading complex sentences or understanding mathematical concepts like multiplication.