Normal Development: 4 Years Old
Physical Development
- Hops, runs, skips, climbs with increasing skill.
- Tires easily.
- Is accident prone.
- Likes making loud noises, but is frightened by
unexpected sounds.
- Goes to the bathroom without help.
- Makes designs and draws recognizable objects.
- Can use blunt scissors.
- Dresses self (with exception of shoes).
Emotional Development
- Sometimes still acts like a baby.
- Shows new fears (becoming aware of more dangers).
- Enjoys silliness.
Social Development
- Refers to parents as final authority.
- Continues to test parental limits.
- Uses "naughty" words to see how others react.
- Is ready for group activities.
- Talks "with" another child, but does not listen to what
other child says.
- Is comfortable with other children, but shares grudgingly.
- Tattles and name-calls.
- Imitates adults.
Mental Development
- Is more likely to solve problems through words than
aggressive action.
- Has a vocabulary of about 1,500 to 2,000 words.
- Speaks in 4 to 5 word sentences.
- Likes funny, exaggerated stories.
- Can count to 5.
- Identifies some shapes.
- Can understand some concepts of time (yesterday,
today, and tomorrow).
- Often asks "why" questions.
- Usually can put toys and materials away without adult
help.
- Insists on finishing an activity or project.
- Likes to help with simple tasks.
- Starts to know difference between right and wrong.
- Shows growing ability to tell real-life from
make-believe.
- Tells tall tales, but cannot always tell the difference
between truth and lies.
- Believes the only viewpoint is his or her own.
- Believes 2 unrelated events can have a cause-effect
relationship.
These guidelines are offered as a way of showing a general
progression through the developmental stages rather than as
fixed requirements for normal development at specific ages.
It is perfectly natural for a child to attain some
milestones earlier and other milestones later than the
general trend.
If you have any concerns related to your child's own pattern
of development, check with your health care provider.
Written by Donna Warner Manczak, PhD, MPH and Robert Brayden, MD.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.