North Star Pediatrics

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Four Years Old

Please remember that every child grows and develops at his own rate and that no two children are exactly alike at a given age.

Motor Development

The four year old has a high drive and is very enthusiastic. He moves about quickly with little wasted action. He loves to run and gallop and does so with a good sense of balance. His motor drive is so extreme, that if he is not allowed the opportunity to use up this energy, he may become difficult to manage.
The 4 year old walks up and down steps well using one foot for each step.
His coordination has improved from a year ago in that now he is able to stand on 1 foot for a short period of time.
He can hop on his toes with both feet leaving the ground at the same time. He is also able to accomplish a running or standing broad jump successfully; again, both feet leaving the ground as he jumps.
In play, the 4 year old now catches a ball using only his hands rather than using both arms as before.
Some 4 year olds are ready now to learn to roller skate, and others are able to ride a small bicycle with training wheels.

Fine Motor Development

The 4 year old is quite comfortable handling small objects.
He can button and unbutton large buttons, lace his shoes and string small beads.
The 4 year old’s eyes and hands are well coordinated. He is very skillful with building blocks, and is becoming quite adept with pencils and crayons. He now shows an effort to color within the lines of his color book pictures and he may be able to draw simple geometric shapes if you show him a picture of one to copy.
Able to cut with scissors.
Able to carry water without spilling it.

Language Development

Most 4 year olds can express themselves freely and well. His chief conversation is with other children rather than with adults. However, if no other children are available, he may carry on imaginary play with adults.
The 4 year old is loud and boasting about himself and his own activities. On the other hand, the 4 year old loves to whisper secrets, too!
Tantrums are much more infrequent.
The 4 year old talks less of ownership and more of sharing.
Most 4 year olds have fun with language and like rhymes and silly words. Both are excellent techniques for parents to use when trying to elicit cooperation from their 4 year old.
Later in the 4th year, the child may become interested in the printed word and will want to know “what this spells” or “what that says.”
He is able to say more difficult speech sounds (L,R,ST,SH,Ch & J).
They also know 3-4 colors.

Social Development

Cooperation, sharing and taking turns comes quite easily for most 4 years olds. Therefore, the 4 year old child is ready for group and cooperative play. Play with children his own age goes quite smoothly without too much interference. However, an adult should be present to settle occasional disputes.
Friendships are strong at this age. The 4 year old often requests to play with special friends and they are frequently seen together arm in arm whispering secrets.
4 year olds love dramatic play. Most children at this age have very vivid imaginations. Often children are observed playing house, store or doctor at this age.
4 year olds love to “help “ -- especially with washing chores (cars, windows, floors, bathtubs, etc.). In fact, any water play is popular at this age!
The 4 year old loves anything new and is therefore receptive to new experiences and activities. He loves excursions and exploring trips -- including grocery shopping, museums and even simple walks.
The 4 year old is reasonably good with baby siblings, but is not old enough to be trusted alone with a baby.
4 year olds are very active and love roughhouse play.

Learning

4 is a top age for questions; “why” and “how” are used endlessly most often for information, but sometimes just to keep the conversation going! They are also used for resistance: Why do I have to do such and such?
The 4 year old is able to:
- Tell likenesses and differences between 2 objects
- Tell biggest and longest of 3 things
- Order 5 blocks from heaviest to lightest
- Tell parts of objects from whole objects
- Tell what part(s) are missing from ordinary objects (a leg from a chair or table, a sleeve from a coat, a wheel from a car, etc.)
- Match similar objects
Many 4 year olds can define a few words by telling how they are used.

Daily Routines

The 4 year old is able to feed himself completely except for cutting his food. He will tend to dawdle if he eats alone. When eating at the table with others, conversation may get in the way of eating, as the 4 year old loves to boast and share his daily experiences with others.
The 4 year old may sleep an average of 11 hours at night. When awakening before his parents, the 4 year old plays quietly or watches TV for a while before disturbing his parents’ sleep.
In bathing, the 4 year old is able to wash and dry himself fairly well. He is able to comb his hair, brush his teeth and dress himself. He does a better job of dressing if his clothes are laid out for him.

Age Appropriate Toys

Seesaw, Jungle Gym, Swing, Slide
Roller Skates, Jump Rope
Tricycle, Wagon, Sled
Blocks, Tinker Toys, Lego, Lincoln Logs
Simple Board Games, Puzzles
Sandbox, Sand, Water Toys
Puppets, Musical Instruments, Record Player with Records
Crayons, Clay, Finger Paints, Easel (with lots of paper!!)
Flannel Board with felt shapes and letters
Costume Box for dress up
Toy Camera, Cash Register, Cooking Equipment, etc. for imaginary and imitative play

Safety

The 4 year old is able to play outside without much supervision. However, he does constantly test his boundaries so some supervision is suggested.
Roughhousing needs supervision so the child doesn’t hurt himself or others.
Automobile safety needs to be stressed constantly. (“Look both ways before crossing the street,” “Avoid walking behind cars in parking lots,” etc.). They still need to be restrained in an appropriate car seat or booster seat whenever in a moving vehicle.
As they are mastering the bicycle or tricycle, a bike helmet is a must. It should be worn whenever the child rides his bike regardless of his skill.
The 4 year old is quite imitative--never take medications in view of the child. He may imitate your actions using that same medication.
Continue alerting your child about sexual abuse. Your child may now be old enough to understand about “good touch,” “bad touch” and “confusing touch” and how to distinguish between them. They should be taught to tell a trusted adult if someone has touched them in a bad or confusing way and to keep telling adults until someone listens. Contact the office for suggestions concerning reading material and other references which you might find helpful.