Year Four Developmental Milestones

At age four, your child’s imagination takes center stage. You’ll notice an explosion in communication, creativity, and confidence as they move with ease through familiar routines and boldly test new ideas. Socially, they’re more curious than ever and eager to play and cooperate with friends.

This year is full of rapid change. Expect more complex emotions, sharper thinking skills, and growing independence in how your child expresses themself, asks questions, and tackles challenges.

Age 3 to 4: Confidence, Curiosity, and Creativity

Children between ages 3 and 4 begin to see themselves as capable individuals. Their personalities shine through, and their interests may start to take shape as they explore their world with purpose.

At this stage, many children will:

Speak in full sentences with four or more words
Ask “why,” “how,” and “what” questions constantly
Begins to respond to others’ emotions and comfort others who are hurt or sad, like hugging a friend

Language and Communication Skills

Your child’s language development is in full swing. Their vocabulary grows daily, and they’re becoming better storytellers and conversationalists.

Common milestones include:

Describing events: “We went to the park,” or “I made a tower”
Repeating phrases from books, songs, and games
Can answer simple questions like “where do the toys go?”
Uses sentences of four or more words
Speaking clearly enough for most people to understand

Cognitive Development

At this age, kids begin to think more critically and independently. Their memory improves, and they enjoy figuring out how things work.

Most 4-year-olds can:

Name colors and begin to recognize some letters and numbers
Draw a person with three or more body parts
Tell you the colors of some items
Recall and retell parts of a story

Social and Emotional Growth

Friendships become more important. Children this age begin to notice fairness, express empathy, and react to the emotions of those around them.
You may notice your child:

Comforting others when they are sad
Avoids known danger, like not jumping from tall heights
Show an interest in being a helper at home
Adjusting their behavior based on location, such as whispering in a library
Asking to play with their friends if they aren’t around

Physical and Motor Skills

Balance, coordination, and motor planning are improving quickly. Your child is moving with more purpose and confidence.

Key physical developments often include:

Able to catch a large ball most of the time
Uses fingers and thumb to hold crayons and pencils instead of a fist
Can unbutton clothing
Pours water or serves themselves food without help

Everyday Activities to Support Development

You don’t need special equipment or training to support your child’s growth—just everyday moments filled with connection and curiosity

To boost language and communication:

Read together daily and talk about what’s happening in the story.
Play rhyming games or sing songs together.
Ask open-ended questions: “What do you think will happen next?”

To encourage thinking and problem-solving:

Let your child help with sorting laundry or setting the table.
Try basic science experiments like watching ice melt.
Offer puzzles, matching games, and memory cards.

To support emotional and social skills:

Role-play real-life situations, like going to the doctor.
Read books that explore feelings and relationships.
Model empathy and use words to talk through big emotions.

To strengthen movement and motor skills:

Play hopscotch or set up an indoor obstacle course.
Dance to music or try simple yoga poses.
Offer crayons, playdough, blocks, or beads for fine motor work.

To build independence and life skills:

Encourage your child to dress themself, including buttons and zippers.
Involve them in daily chores, like watering plants or clearing the table.
Practice routines like brushing teeth or washing hands.

Is Your Child Meeting These Milestones?

If your child is struggling with movement, speech, or social interactions, early support can be incredibly beneficial. Signs that your child may need additional guidance include:

Difficulty following multi-step directions or expressing thoughts in full sentences
Trouble playing cooperatively with peers or managing big emotions like frustration
Challenges with physical coordination, such as frequent tripping, awkward movements, or avoiding active play

If you notice any of these signs, start by observing their play and interactions. Keep track of behaviors that seem delayed and talk to your pediatrician about your observations. Early support can make a big difference. Don’t wait to reach out for guidance if you have concerns about your child’s development.

How Tender Ones Therapy Services Can Help

If you’re unsure if your child is meeting expected milestones appropriately, or if you have any questions, partner with TOTS for your child’s best start! You can schedule your free screening online, call 770-904-6009 or fill out our contact form to begin your child’s journey to success.