Understanding a Child Who is Four Years Old

All children develop at different paces. The following general overview of the development of a child will help you select products and unique gifts suitable for a four year old.

Educational Development

I am starting to understand more about language. I ask about words I don’t understand and have a substantial vocabulary. I have some understanding of the symbolic nature of letters and the alphabet, and that letters put together form words. I can think about other people's point of view, and I am happy to ask for help if something is too difficult for me. I need to practice number order, both going up and down. I have a basic understanding of money.

Little Helper

I like to be involved in domestic routines because there is a great deal for me to learn, and I have a genuine role to play. Being involved in meal preparation makes me more interested in eating the food, and I like doing jobs like laying the table and sweeping up. I can also be a great little helper as a gardener outdoors. I find that talking and counting with others helps me to learn and make more sense of abstract things.

Independence

I can do most of my dressing and undressing, and I have got the hang of simple personal hygiene and going to the toilet. I do not understand clocks yet, but I do understand that I have a sequence of events within my routine. I think more familiarisation with play clocks will help me.

Family Time

As well as a better understanding of right and wrong, I know what isn't fair. This makes me ideally placed to understand rules of games. As always, I enjoy reading storybooks and can recite familiar stories, but I haven't grasped that memorising a story is not the same as reading it. I am learning that the dots on a dice are about numbers and not layout. Dominoes is a good family game to support my understanding. I also like spending time learning about family relationships, and how everyone fits together.

Let off Steam

I can run and dodge, and like to be on the move. I have some practice in balance and climbing, which makes me quite confident now. I love going outside and exploring nature. During active play, the large movements I make increase my confidence in balance and awareness of my body, and help towards developing my writing skills.

I apply my balancing skills by using foot-walkers and walking pots, riding a three-wheeled bike or one with stabilisers, and learning sports such as skating and even skiing. My control skills, such as in climbing and jumping, are coming with practice. I like building camps and dens and am finding it easier to kick, throw and hit with bats and balls. I am learning new skills such as aiming, and building my strength.

Free Play

I like to “pretend play” and I enjoy learning about what it means to be much younger by playing with dolls and taking care of them. I am forming close friendships with other children, and am learning about others instead of always “Me, me, me!”

Creative Corner

I call the marks I make writing, and I like experimenting with different grips on crayons. I can also use basic craft equipment, such as scissors.

Find out more about Christmas Gifts for 4 Year Olds