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A Four-Year-Old Preschooler

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Your four-year-old preschooler is likely getting a lot more independent and mobile, which makes it important to make sure he is safe.
A four-year-old riding a tricycle.

A four-year-old riding a tricycle.

Photo (c) Andrew Rich
Your child's nutrition is important to his overall health. Proper nutrition, which should include eating three meals a day and two nutritious snacks, limiting high sugar and high-fat foods, eating fruits, vegetables, lean meats and low fat dairy products, including 3 servings of milk, cheese or yogurt to meet their calcium needs can also prevent many medical problems, including becoming overweight, developing weak bones, and developing diabetes. It will also ensure that your child physically grows to his full potential.

At this age you can expect your child to dress himself, brush his teeth without help, play board and card games and follow simple rules, name 4 colors, hop, walk down stairs alternating feet, talk in 4 to 5 word sentences, sing songs, listen to stories, shares things spontaneously, count to 4, and his speech should be fully understandable. Over the next few years he will be able to count to ten, recognize letters of the alphabet, and be able to learn his phone number and address.

What You Need To Know About Your Four-Year-Old

  • According the latest car seat guidelines, children should sit in a forward-facing car seat with harness straps as long as possible and until they reach the weight and height limits of their car seat.
  • Although they may begin to resist it, most four-year-olds should still take a nap.
  • Teach stranger awareness.
  • Brush his teeth with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day and have regular dental checkups (every six months). Remember that the first visit to the dentist is usually by age 3 years.
  • At the four-year-old checkup, you can expect a complete physical exam, a review of feeding and sleep schedules, measurement of your child's height, weight and blood pressure. Your child will also receive his vaccines, including the DTaP, MMR, IPV, and Varivax booster (if he hasn't had chickenpox). A screening vision test and hearing test will also likely be done.

  • Common Preschool Problems

Four-Year-Old Preschool Topics

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