Just as the ages from birth through 48 months meant many changes in a child’s physical, cognitive, and social and emotional development and language acquisition and use, the year between ages 4 and 5 does as well. Following guidelines for normal development will help parents know what to expect and when to worry.
Physical
Children at this age continue to develop muscles and motor skills, both large and fine. While at age 48 months, a normally developing child can stand on one foot for up to 5 seconds, that length of time increases to 10 seconds by 60 months. The ability to hop well develops during this time, and children progress from going up and down stairs without support to going up and down stairs using alternate feet. Fine motor skills like copying shapes and being able to print some letters progress, and by age 60 months most children can draw a person with a body. Children learn to use silverware at the table during this time, and, by 60 months, usually can tend to their own bathroom and dressing and undressing needs.
Cognitive
Cognitive development during this stage includes moving from being able to correctly name some colors to being able to name at least four. An increased sense of time develops as well, and fantasy and make-believe play continue and become more elaborate. Children also develop a sense of what everyday objects are and how they are used, and, by the end of 60 months, can count 10 or more objects.
Social and Emotional
Children begin to be able to distinguish between fantasy and reality during this time, and begin to view themselves as whole beings. As such beings, their desire to be around and to please friends develops. By the end of 60 months, children are more likely than before to agree to rules as they become more independent. By the end of 60 months children are aware of gender. While increasingly cooperative, children will still sometimes be demanding during this stage as they become more independent.
Language
Language use is refined during this stage of development. Most children can be easily understood by strangers by around age 48 months, but their sentences may be short and basic grammar rules like verb tense incorrect. By the end of age 60 months, most children speak in sentences longer than 5 sentences (although many do before this age) and they can tell longer stories than at age 48 months. They begin to use future tense, can say their name and address, and can recall parts of stories.
Obviously, no two children will develop at the same rate and may develop certain skills while seeming to lag in other areas. Developmental milestones are guidelines to normal development. Check with your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns about the rate at which your child is developing.