What to know
View photos and videos of developmental milestones that most children do by four years of age. Milestones are listed by area of child development.
Social/Emotional
Pretends to be something else during play (teacher, superhero, dog)
The child in this video is pretending to be something else during play, a 4-year social/emotional milestone.
Asks to go play with children if none are around, like “Can I play with Alex?”
The child in this video asks if he can go play with another child when none are around, a 4-year social/emotional milestone.
Comforts others who are hurt or sad, like hugging a crying friend
Avoids danger, like not jumping from tall heights at the playground
The child in this video is avoiding danger by doing things like holding his mom's hand before crossing the street, a 4-year social/emotional milestone.
Likes to be a “helper”
The child in this video is showing that they like to be a helper, a 4-year social/emotional milestone.
Changes behavior based on where she is (place of worship, library, playground)
The child in this video changes his behavior based on where he is, a 4-year social/emotional milestone.
Language/Communication
Says sentences with four or more words
The child in this video is saying sentences with four or more words, a 4-year language/communication milestone.
Says some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme
The child in this video is saying words from a song, poem, or nursery rhyme, a 4-year language/communication milestone.
Talks about at least one thing that happened during her day, like “I played soccer.”
The child in this video is talking about at least one thing that happened during the day, a 4-year language/communication milestone.
Answers simple questions like “What is a coat for?” or “What is a crayon for?”
The children in this video are answering simple questions, a 4-year language/communication milestone.
Cognitive
Names a few colors of items
The child in this video is naming a few colors of items, a 4-year cognitive milestone.
Tells what comes next in a well-known story
The child in this video tells what comes next in a well-known story, a 4-year cognitive milestone.
Draws a person with three or more body parts
Movement/Physical
Catches a large ball most of the time
The child in this photo is showing that she can catch a large ball most of the time, a 4-year movement/physical development milestone.
Serves herself food or pours water, with adult supervision
Unbuttons some buttons
The child in this video is unbuttoning some buttons, a 4-year movement/physical development milestone.
Holds crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb (not a fist)
