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Your Child’s Fourth Year
Development during your child's fourth year is critical in future success. And while every child learns movements at an individual rate, developmental delays may cause concern and hardship. Use our guide below to see what milestones your child should be reaching at every age during the fourth year. Milestones listed at each stage carry on through each subsequent phase of development (i.e. skills at 3.5 years should be present at 4 years).
Preschooler Milestones – 3 to 3.5 Years
Preschooler Milestones – 3.5 to 4 Years
Red Flags for Development in the Fourth Year
- Walks on toes all the time
- Persistent pain or fatigue
- Skills are regressing
- Not able to cut across a piece of paper with scissors
- Cannot copy a cross or draw a circle
- Cannot use a fork and spoon well
- Not able to put on own pants, socks or shoes
- Sentences are not growing in length or complexity
- Poor sorting or matching skills
- Difficulty asking and answering questions
- Not easily understood by family members or familiar people
- Regular coughing or choking during eating
- Lots of leakage of food or liquid from the mouth
- Holding food inside pockets in mouth for long periods
- Difficulty accepting new textures of food
- Not able to complete a simple 4-6 piece puzzle
- Not able to recognize at least 3 colors or shapes
- Not able to initiate or join in play with other children
- Is extremely rigid with routines and becomes upset if there is a change in routine
- Extreme difficulty separating from parent or caregiver
- Has extreme fears that interfere with daily activities
Developmental Checklist
Is your child meeting their developmental milestones?
Through steady improvement, your child can attain a boost of confidence.
Help your child find new levels of independence with pediatric therapy in Cincinnati and Dayton, OH.