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What should a child be able to do at age 4?
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

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Your child is growing rapidly. And now he is already 4 years old. Have you noticed that your 4-year-old baby is becoming more and more independent and self-confident? If not, then we wish you this next year. And what should a child be able to do at 4 years old?
Emotional development of children at 4 years old
Most children at this age begin to show parents and others more independence, self-control, and become more creative. They now play with their toys longer, are eager to try new activities and treats, and are better able to express their emotions when upset.
Although every child grows and develops at their own pace, your child will have reached most of the developmental milestones typical for their age by age four. These milestones include: speech, emotional, motor, social, and everyday.
Language and communication skills
Your curious and inquisitive child is now better able to carry on a conversation. In addition, your child's vocabulary is growing - as are his thought processes. Not only is your 4-year-old able to answer simple questions easily and logically, but he can now express his feelings much better.
Most children at this age love to sing, make up songs and make up words. They are energetic and sometimes even too noisy.
- The cognitive skills your child is learning at age 4 include the following:
- Speak clearly using more complex sentences
- Correctly name at least four colors and three shapes of an object: triangle, square, round
- Know a few letters and perhaps even write your own name (between ages 4 and 5)
- It is better to understand the duration of time and the order of daily household activities, such as breakfast in the morning, lunch in the afternoon and dinner in the evening.
- Demand more attention from parents
- A child can follow two or three commands given in a row. For example, "Put the book down, brush your teeth, and then go to bed."
A child can recognize familiar road signs, such as "STOP." If you teach him, the child will remember his phone number and address, as well as his last name, mom's and dad's names.
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Motor skills of a child at 4 years old
Children learn through play, and this is very good for the development of your four-year-old. At this age, your child should be active, jumping, throwing a ball, climbing a wall bar, and doing all this with ease. Children at this age are so full of energy that they are unstoppable all day long.
There are other movement milestones your four year old can master in the next year, and these skills include ability.
- Stand on one leg, but not for more than 9 seconds
- Tumble and jump
- Walk and run up and down stairs without assistance
- It's pretty easy to go back and forth
- Pedaling a tricycle
- Draw a triangle, circle, square and other simple shapes
- Draw a person or a simple animal, for example, a cat
- Build a tower of cubes
- Eat with a fork and spoon
- Dress and undress, brush teeth, and take care of other personal needs without much adult assistance
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Child at 4 years old: social development
At 4 years old, the child is no longer so egocentric. Now he understands that in this world it is not always about him alone. Therefore, he can understand that he needs to give mom a cup or rock his little brother in the cradle. At this age, children begin to understand the feelings of other people and sympathize with them. Your 4-year-old child should have an understanding of conflict and learn to manage his emotions. For example, the child wants to buy a toy, but mom has other plans. You need to discuss alternative options with the child. The main thing is to teach him to find a common language with other people when they and the child have different desires.
Social development your child can achieve at this age:
- A 4 year old toddler loves to play with other children and make friends
- The child may share toys with other children, at least most of the time.
- Understands adult commands and obeys rules, but a 4-year-old will still be demanding and may refuse games or activities that he does not like
- A child at 4 years old is more independent
- A 4-year-old child sometimes confuses fairy tales or dreams with reality
- A 4 year old expresses his anger verbally, not physically (in most cases)
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Child development at 4 years old: when is there cause for concern?
All children grow and develop at their own pace. Don't worry if your child doesn't seem to have reached any milestones yet. But as your child gets older, there should be gradual progress in growth and development. If your 4-year-old shows signs of possible developmental delays, talk to your doctor.
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Possible signs of developmental delay in a child at 4 years old:
- Very afraid, constantly shy, or, on the contrary, often shows aggression
- Cannot be left alone or with a nanny, is afraid when left without parents
- Easily distracted and unable to focus on one task for more than five minutes
- Doesn't want to play with other children
- He has a limited number of interests.
- Does not make eye contact or talk to other people
- Cannot remember and say his first and last name
- Cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality
- Often appears sad and unhappy, unable to express a wide range of emotions
- Cannot build a tower using more than eight cubes
- The child has problems drawing a line with a pencil
- Cannot eat, sleep or use the bathroom
- Cannot undress, brush teeth, wash and dry hands without adult help
If your child at 4 years old resists or does not want to do something that he could do earlier, for example, at 3 years old, be sure to tell the doctor about it. This may be a sign of a disorder or delay in development. There are many treatments to help the child overcome these problems.
A child of 4 years old can already do a lot, he is a fidget and a mischievous child, the joy of the whole family. He will develop more and more, you just need to help him with this.