Your child at 4 years old

Four years is a wild, furry age for kids. They learn to stand on one leg, sing songs, draw shapes and figure out how to get along with other children. On the other hand, some are still potty trained, many urinate at night, nightmares are normal, and they are very worried about monsters.

With so many changes, it can be difficult to know what is normal. Milestones can help. They tell you about the types of skills children typically acquire at a given age, giving you a better idea of your child's progress and preparing you for what's next. As you consider all these new abilities, it's also helpful to know how to support your child's development and what steps you can take to keep them safe.

Milestones at age 4

These are the skills you can expect from your child by age 4 or shortly thereafter. Keep in mind that milestones are guidelines - children reach them at their own pace. Some children acquire these skills before the age of 4, others later. However, if these milestones make you worried that your little one is retarded, talk to your child's doctor.

Language and communication skills

Answers simple questions
Knows some basic grammar rules and uses more and more words correctly
Says first and last name
Sings simple songs and knows poems or rhymes from memory
Speaks clearly and in sentences of four or more words
Tells stories

Movement and physical skills

Goes up and down stairs without help
Hops and stands on one foot for at least 2 seconds
Kicks a ball forward
Pours drinks, mashes own food, cuts food with parent’s guidance
Throws a ball overhand
Usually catches a bounced ball

Social and emotional skills

Can dress and undress without help
Cooperates with other kids
Gets more creative when playing make-believe
Likes doing new things
Likes playing with other kids more than playing alone
May confuse what’s real and what’s make-believe
Pretends to be Mommy or Daddy
Talks about likes and dislikes
Works through conflicts with others

Thinking and mental skills

Copies and draws simple shapes, such as squares and circles
Draws a person with 2-4 body parts
Follows three-step commands, like “Find your backpack, grab your coat, and put on your boots”
Gets the idea of counting and knows some numbers
Knows some colors
Remembers parts of stories
Starts to copy capital letters
Starts to get the idea of time
Understands the ideas behind “same” and “different”
Uses scissors

How to help your child

There are many things you can do every day to help your child learn and grow, such as:

Allow your child to make simple choices, like what to wear or what to play.
Give plenty of time for your kid to be active, and play games together like tag.
Let your child do some self-care on their own, like getting dressed, using the bathroom, and brushing teeth.
Practice counting and singing simple songs.
Read to your child every day.
Set time to play with other kids -- let them work out conflicts on their own, but step in when needed.
Suggest activities like drawing and making art with paper, scissors, and glue.
Talk to your child -- patiently answer questions and help them express their feelings .
Teach your child how to make up after hurting someone’s feelings.
And when it comes to TVs, smart phones, computers, and tablets, doctors suggest that you:
Keep technology out of bedrooms.
Limit screen time to 1 hour a day of high-quality programs.
Talk about what you watch together and how it applies to the world.

How to keep your child safe

All these new skills are very interesting. You should let your child explore, but you should also be on the lookout, especially when it comes to common hazards such as falls, burns, poisons, and strangers.

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Always wear a helmet on bicycles, tricycles and other riding toys.
Check the height and weight limits of your child's car seat - when your child grows, use an extra seat.
Don’t keep guns in your home. If you have a gun, keep it unloaded, locked and separated from bullets. And make sure the kids can't get the key.
Let your child explore but avoid falls, especially near playgrounds, doors, windows and stairs.
Keep an eye on the game near the streets and alleys.
Be careful in the kitchen: spilled liquids, splashes and hot surfaces can cause severe burns.
Supervise your child at all times when in or near water and consider enrolling your child in swimming lessons.

You'll also find that your child can reach drawers, cabinets, and countertops that used to be considered safe. Make sure that medicines, cleaning products, and even small household items that can be swallowed, such as magnets and batteries, should not be visible or accessible.

This is also the age to make sure your child knows what to do with strangers. Teach your child their full name, address, and phone number. Also tell your child that they should only seek help from certain adults, such as people wearing uniforms or name badges. And tell the child:

No one can ask you to keep a secret from your parents.
No one can ask you to see or touch your private parts - the parts of your body covered by your bathing suit.
No one can ask you to see, touch or help with their private parts.