Milestones: Your Four-Year-Old
All children grow and develop at their own pace; use this chart to guide your expectations and observations so you can talk to your child’s pediatrician about questions or concerns.
Children’s wellness is often measured by milestones: What can they do, and when can they do it? How are they growing and developing physically, emotionally, and socially? How are their language skills developing?
Regular wellness visits with your child’s pediatrician are great opportunities for these check-ins — they’re the perfect time to ask questions and raise concerns about your child’s growth and development!
It’s good to ask for help as early as you have concerns — you are your child’s first and best advocate! The early years are a period of rapid brain development, so by raising any concerns early, you can make sure your child gets the support they need to thrive. Early intervention may also help prevent or lessen the need for more support later on.
Here’s what you may be noticing in the fourth year of life.
Learn more about developmental milestone checklists here.
Wellness visits are regular opportunities for these check-ins–they’re a great time to ask questions and raise concerns about your child’s growth and development! All children grow and develop at their own pace. Here’s what you may you be noticing at age 4.
Physical growth and development:
- Learn about average height and weight milestones at www.cdc.gov/growthcharts.
Thinking and reasoning:
- Can say their first and last names.
- Understand the concept of counting and may know some numbers.
- Understand the concept of same and different; better understand concepts of time.
- Can name some colors.
- Know the difference between fantasy and reality.
Emotional and social development:
- View themselves as whole people, with a body, mind, and feelings.
- Cooperate with other children (and with help, figure out solutions to conflicts).
- Switch between being demanding and cooperative.
- Dress and undress themsleves.
- Are interested in new experiences and are more independent.
Language development:
- Use sentences of 5-6 words; speak clearly enough for strangers to understand.
- Can describe something that has happened to them, tell a short story, remember parts of a story, and sing songs.
Senses and movement:
- Stand on one foot, move forward and backward easily, and go up and down stairs without holding on to anything for support.
- Ride a tricycle or a bicycle with training wheels, throw a ball overhead, sometimes catch a bounced ball, and kick a ball forward.
- Use their hands and fingers to build a tower of 10 blocks, draw a circle and square, draw a person with 2-4 parts, use scissors, and write some capital letters.
Meet a 4-year-old monster Muppet, Marty! Read Monster Moments and watch a little monster grow.
Milestones: Your Five-Year-Old
All children grow and develop at their own pace; use this chart to guide your expectations and observations so you can talk to your child’s pediatrician about questions or concerns.
For Providers: Using These Resources
Print and refer to this page as you implement the materials in this initiative.
Milestones: Your Six-Year-Old
All children grow and develop at their own pace; use this chart to guide your expectations and observations so you can talk to your child’s pediatrician about questions or concerns.
Milestones: Your Baby’s First Year
All children grow and develop at their own pace; use this chart to guide your expectations and observations so you can talk to your child’s pediatrician about questions or concerns.
Milestones: Your 18-Month Old
All children grow and develop at their own pace; use this chart to guide your expectations and observations so you can talk to your child’s pediatrician about questions or concerns.
Milestones: Your Two-Year-Old
All children grow and develop at their own pace; use this chart to guide your expectations and observations so you can talk to your child’s pediatrician about questions or concerns.
