social development of a 4-year-old

Four-Year-Olds are becoming more adept at interpreting and understanding their world. In fact, they have enough knowledge about the world that they sometimes act like know-it-alls! Four-year-olds are usually quite self-sufficient and self-entertaining. They are beginning to develop friendships outside the home and are less dependent upon parents to meet their social needs. Although the four-year-old can now share, s/he still isn't very good at understanding rules of games or social play.

At four, the child's brain is still forming, making new pathways and connections and eliminating neurons that are not needed. About 45-50% of this process is complete. Because the brain is internalizing information and using it as a base structure for future understanding of social appropriateness, it is important to limit, or not allow, television and video games that include violence, aggression, or anti-social behavior.

You might be concerned about your child's development if your child does not:

• State own name in full.                                                                                      
• Recognize simple shapes: circle, square, triangle.
• Catch a large bounced ball.
• Speak so as to be understandable to strangers.
• Have good control of posture and movement.
• Hop on one foot.
• Appear interested in and responsive to surroundings.
• Respond to statements without constantly asking to have them repeated.
• Dress self with minimal adult assistance: manage buttons, zippers.
• Take care of own toileting needs: have good bowel and bladder control with infrequent accidents.

Adapted from: Allen, K. E. & Marotz, I. (1989). Developmental profiles: Birth to six. Delmar Publishers Inc.

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          We have all the knowledge necessary to provide absolutely first-rate child care in the United States. What is missing is the commitment and the will. - Edward Zigler

                                                                                                           Revised: 10/11/2007.