Important Milestones at 4 Years
Four years is certainly an exciting time. Now that your child is 4, here’s a checklist from the CDC to keep track of your child’s growth and development. Whenever you have questions or concerns you have should discuss them with your child’s doctor. Here’s what most 4-year-olds can do at this age:
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL MILESTONES
Plays pretend as someone else, like a teacher, a superhero, or a dog
Asks if they can play with other kids if there aren’t any around
When someone is hurt or sad, they offer comfort
Avoids danger, like jumping from tall heights at the playground
Enjoys being a helper
Changes behavior based on the location, like the doctor’s office or the library or the playground
LANGUAGE/COMMUNICATION MILESTONES
Puts together sentences with four or more words
Says words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme
Talks about at least one thing that happened during their day, like: “I played basketball.”
Can answer simple questions, like: “What is a crayon for?”
COGNITIVE MILESTONES (LEARNING, THINKING, PROBLEM-SOLVING)
Can names a few colors of items
Can tell the next part of a well-known story
Draws people with three or more body parts
MOVEMENT/PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT MILESTONES
Catches a large ball most of the time
With adult supervision, can serve themselves food or pour water
Unbuttons some buttons
Holds a crayon or pencil between their fingers and thumb—not a fist
Remember, you know your child best. Talk with your child’s doctor about any of your concerns and ask about developmental screening.
Looking for tips and activities to do with your child to assist in their learning and development? Visit the CDC’s milestones pages here.