Year Four Developmental Milestones

As your child turns four, their imagination soars, their curiosity grows, and they love showing off new skills. They’re gaining independence, asking more questions, and becoming more socially aware. It’s an exciting time of growth and discovery. These milestones often occur at broader intervals, and if you need support along the way, TLC Therapy Services is here to help.

At 3 to 4 Years Old: Inquisitive, Social and Confident

As your child approaches four, they become more social, independent, and self-assured. Their curiosity leads them to ask a lot of questions, experiment with problem-solving, and express themselves in new ways. They build friendships, strengthen cognitive abilities, and refine their coordination, all while developing a deeper understanding of the world.

Language: Your child’s vocabulary is growing rapidly. They enjoy repeating words from familiar stories and songs and forming longer sentences of four or more words. They can share details about their day, such as, “I played with Grandma,” or “We made cookies.” They also begin to ask thoughtful questions, like, “Why do birds fly?” or “How does the rain work?” These conversations help nurture their language skills and understanding of cause and effect.
Cognitive: Four-year-olds become more observant and eager to learn. They can name common colors, follow multi-step directions, and answer simple “why” and “what” questions about their lives and feelings. Their memory improves, allowing them to recall familiar stories and predict what happens next. They begin sorting objects by shape, size, or color, recognizing some letters or numbers, and drawing people with three or more body parts. Simple board games with rules become more appealing as they start understanding turn-taking and strategy.
Social: Your child is learning how to navigate friendships and emotions. They seek out friends for playtime, enjoy helping with simple tasks, and offer comfort to others who are sad or hurt. Imaginative play becomes more elaborate, with them pretending to be different characters or acting out real-life scenarios. They start recognizing unsafe situations and adjusting their behavior based on their environment, such as using an indoor voice at the library or waiting their turn at the playground. They express more complex emotions, such as frustration, excitement, or pride, and may need guidance in managing them appropriately.
Movement: Their physical abilities continue to improve as they gain better control over their movements. They can catch a large ball with more consistency, use a tripod grasp to hold a crayon or pencil, and unzip or unbutton clothing on their own. These skills prepare them for tasks like writing, dressing, and using utensils with greater ease. They may also start hopping on one foot, skipping, or pedaling a tricycle with better coordination. Activities like climbing playground equipment or dancing to music refine their balance and agility.

Activities to Support Your Child’s Development at Home

Creating an engaging home environment helps foster your child’s curiosity, creativity, and confidence.

Keep them talking. Have frequent conversations and prompt them to share their daily experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Reading together strengthens vocabulary and listening comprehension, while word games, such as “I Spy” or rhyming games, enhance language development. Singing songs and nursery rhymes also help with rhythm and speech clarity.

Puzzles, matching activities, and memory games encourage problem-solving. Counting objects during everyday tasks, like setting the table or sorting laundry, reinforces early math skills. Open-ended questions, such as, “What do you think will happen next in this story?” or “How can we build a taller tower?” spark critical thinking. Simple science experiments, like growing a plant or melting ice, fuel curiosity and observation skills.

Develop social and emotional skills by engaging in role-playing games that encourage empathy and cooperation. Playdates or group activities help children practice sharing and teamwork. Setting good examples for positive social behaviors, such as saying “please” and “thank you,” reinforces good habits. Reading books about feelings also helps them recognize and articulate their emotions.

Promote movement and confidence through active games like hopscotch, obstacle courses, and races. Activities that involve balance and coordination, such as riding a bicycle, dancing, or swimming, help refine motor skills. Simple exercises like stretching or yoga can improve flexibility and body awareness.

Enhance fine motor skills with activities like drawing, building with blocks, and playing with playdough. Creative outlets such as arts and crafts, music, and dance also provide opportunities for self-expression. Encouraging tasks like cutting with child-safe scissors or stacking blocks strengthens dexterity.

Build daily life skills by assigning age-appropriate chores, like watering plants, or putting away toys. Make using buttons and zippers a game. Develop coordination and healthy eating habits with mealtime routines, such as using utensils and trying new foods. Use simple self-care routines, like brushing teeth and washing hands, to establish lifelong hygiene practices.

This stage is a time of incredible growth, where each day brings new skills and discoveries. By encouraging curiosity, play, and independence, you’re helping your child build a strong foundation for the years ahead. With your support, they will develop the confidence and abilities needed to navigate their ever-expanding world.

Not sure if your child is meeting expected milestones?

Have questions? TLC Therapy Services is here to help! Call us for an appointment at (770) 696-6649, or fill out the contact form below—we’re happy to guide you toward the right support.