4 years milestones
four-year-olds are increasingly independent, creative, and social. they can tell stories, play cooperatively, and are getting ready for the transition to school.
physical milestones
•hops and stands on one foot for up to 2 seconds
•catches a bounced ball most of the time
•pours, cuts with supervision, and mashes own food
•draws a person with 2 to 4 body parts
•uses scissors
•starts to copy some capital letters
cognitive milestones
•names some colours and numbers
•understands the idea of counting
•starts to understand time (yesterday, today, tomorrow)
•remembers parts of a story
•understands the idea of 'same' and 'different'
•draws a person with 2–4 body parts
•plays board or card games
social & emotional milestones
•enjoys doing new things
•plays 'mum' and 'dad' (role play)
•is more creative with make-believe play
•would rather play with other children than alone
•cooperates with other children
•often can't tell what's real and what's make-believe
•talks about what they like and what interests them
language & communication
•knows some basic rules of grammar (correctly uses 'he' and 'she')
•sings a song or says a poem from memory
•tells stories
•can say first and last name
•speaks clearly enough for strangers to understand
red flags to watch for
talk to your GP or child health nurse if your child:
- •can't jump in place
- •has trouble scribbling
- •shows no interest in interactive games or make-believe
- •ignores other children or doesn't respond to people outside the family
- •resists dressing, sleeping, and using the toilet
- •can't retell a favourite story
- •doesn't follow 3-part commands
- •doesn't understand 'same' and 'different'
- •doesn't use 'me' and 'you' correctly
- •speaks unclearly
- •loses skills they once had
tips for this age
- •let them help with simple household tasks (setting the table, sorting laundry)
- •encourage storytelling — ask 'what happened next?'
- •practise writing their name and recognising letters
- •the 4-year-old immunisation catch-up is due before starting school
view all age milestones
from 3 months to 5 years
this information is based on general developmental guidelines from the CDC and Raising Children Network. every child develops differently — these are guides, not checklists. if you have concerns, consult your GP or child health professional.