4 years milestones
at 4 years, most children are becoming confident communicators and creative thinkers. they enjoy group play, can follow multi-step instructions, and are getting ready for preschool or kindergarten.
milestones at 4 years
physical
3 milestones- •hops on one foot and catches a bounced ball most of the time
- •pours, cuts with supervision, and mashes own food
- •draws a person with 2–4 body parts
cognitive
3 milestones- •names some colours and numbers
- •understands the idea of counting
- •starts to understand time concepts (morning, night, yesterday)
social & emotional
3 milestones- •prefers playing with other children over playing alone
- •cooperates with other children in games
- •talks about what they like and are interested in
language
3 milestones- •tells stories and speaks in sentences of 5+ words
- •uses future tense ('grandma will be here')
- •says first and last name
when to talk to your GP
every child develops at their own pace, but speak to your GP or child health nurse if your child at 4 years:
- •can't jump in place
- •has trouble scribbling
- •shows no interest in interactive games or make-believe
- •doesn't respond to people outside the family
- •resists dressing, sleeping, and using the toilet
- •can't retell a favourite story
what parents can do
- •encourage independence — let them get dressed, brush teeth, and help in the kitchen
- •play board games and card games to practise turn-taking and following rules
- •talk about feelings and help them name emotions
- •if starting preschool, practise the routine beforehand to ease the transition
next health check
in Australia, child health checks are free and available through your GP or child health nurse. these are a great opportunity to discuss any developmental concerns.
view all baby milestones
the complete month-by-month guide from birth to 5
this guide is for general developmental information only and is not medical advice. milestones are based on guidelines from the Raising Children Network, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, and PEDS. every child develops differently — if you have any concerns about your child's development, please see your GP or child health nurse. mini mode is not affiliated with any government department or health service.