Development milestones between years 3 and 4

Children between ages 3 and 4 develop their vocabulary enough to have meaningful conversations with you about their day. At this stage, they are considered Preschoolers.

They are also at a phase where they still like to be your helper so it is an ideal time to establish some skills and procedures that will be useful even at tween and teen ages.

Here is a full list:

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Pretends to be something else during play (teacher, superhero, dog)
• Asks to go play with children if none are around, like “Can I play with Alex?”
• Comforts others who are hurt or sad, like hugging a crying friend
• Avoids danger, like not jumping from tall heights at the playground
• Likes to be a “helper”
• Changes behavior based on where she is (place of worship, library, playground)

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Names a few colors of items
• Tells what comes next in a well-known story
• Draws a person with three or more body parts

Language/Communication Milestones

• Says sentences with four or more words
• Says some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme
• Talks about at least one thing that happened during her day, like “I played soccer.”
• Answers simple questions like “What is a coat for?” or “What is a crayon for?”

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Catches a large ball most of the time
• Serves herself food or pours water, with adult supervision
• Unbuttons some buttons
• Holds crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb (not a fist)

Please keep in mind that this is not medical advice. These developmental milestones are what 75% of children are capable of at this age. If your child does not achieve these milestones at this time, please do not be alarmed. Remember that you know your child best and if you do feel there is something wrong please contact your medical professional.

CDC Source: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-4yr.html