The way your child learns, plays, and acts shows you important steps in development. All children grow and develop at their own rate. However, most follow a predictable skill path along the way. These skill paths are called developmental milestones; skills that most children can perform by a certain age. Refer to the checklist below to determine what milestones your child has completed by four years of age.

By four years most children:

Fine Motor (skills that require balance and movement of small muscle groups)

_ Assemble puzzles.

_ Print some letters.

_ Cut on a line with scissors.

_ Copy drawing squares.

Cognitive (memory, problem solving, thinking, and overall play)

_ Name some colors and numbers.

_ Remember parts of a story.

_ Understand the idea of same and different.

_ Play simple board or card games.

_ Tell what they think will happen next in a book.

Communication

_ Speak in complex sentences “Mommy opened the door and the dog ran out.”

_ Understand words relate to each other (if, when, why).

_ Tell stories.

Social-Emotional

_ Take turns, share, cooperate

_ Express emotions through words rather than actions.

_ Can feel jealousy.

_ Begin to understand the concept of lying.

_ Enjoy pretending.

Gross Motor

_ Summersaults, jump on one foot, gallop.

_ Easily catch, throw and bounce a ball.

_ Run well without falling, tripping, or bumping into things.

Self-Care

_ Brush their teeth, comb their hair, and dress with little help.

_ Pour something to drink with little spilling or help.

Developmental Milestones: 4 years

Talk to your doctor or contact an early intervention program in your community if you notice any of the following signs of a possible developmental delay in your child of four years of age.

_ Can’t jump in place.

_ Shows no interest in interactive games or pretend play.

_ Resists dressing, feeding, or using the toilet.

_ Avoids contact with other children or adults.

_ Can’t retell a favorite story.

_ Doesn’t use “me” and “you” correctly.

_ Doesn’t speak clearly.

_ Loss of skills.

ASQ. Ages and Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition (ASQ – 3)

CDD. Centers for Disease Control <www.cdc.gov>

D’Eugenio, Diane and Rogers, Sally J. Early Intervention Developmental Profile (EIDP). 1981. University of Michigan.