4 Year Online Milestone Checklist

How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves offers important clues about your child’s development. Developmental milestones are things most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age. Check the milestones your child has reached by the end of 4 years by completing the checklist below. Share it with your child’s doctor, teacher, and other providers, and be sure to talk about the milestones your child has reached and what to expect next.

Checking children’s development regularly is important. CDC’s free Milestone Tracker app is also available to complete the checklists, with reminders and helpful tips on the go!  Available on the AppStoreexternal icon and GooglePlayexternal icon.

Your Child at 4 Years

Milestones matter! Check the milestones your child has reached by age 4 by completing the checklist below.

*These fields are required.

CDC does not collect or share any personal information that can be used to identify you or your child.

What Most Babies Do by this Age:

Social/Emotional

Pretends to be something else during play (teacher, superhero, dog) *
Yes
Not Sure
Not Yet

Asks to go play with children if none are around, like “Can I play with Alex?” *
Yes
Not Sure
Not Yet

Comforts others who are hurt or sad, like hugging a crying friend *
Yes
Not Sure
Not Yet

Avoids danger, like not jumping from tall heights at the playground *
Yes
Not Sure
Not Yet

Likes to be a “helper” *
Yes
Not Sure
Not Yet

Changes behavior based on where she is (place of worship, library, playground) *
Yes
Not Sure
Not Yet

Language/Communication

Says sentences with four or more words *
Yes
Not Sure
Not Yet

Says some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme” *
Yes
Not Sure
Not Yet

Talks about at least one thing that happened during his day, like “I played soccer.” *
Yes
Not Sure
Not Yet

Answers simple questions like “What is a coat for?” or “What is a crayon for?” *
Yes
Not Sure
Not Yet

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Names a few colors of items *
Yes
Not Sure
Not Yet

Tells what comes next in a well-known story *
Yes
Not Sure
Not Yet

Draws a person with three or more body parts *
Yes
Not Sure
Not Yet

Movement/Physical Development

Catches a large ball most of the time *
Yes
Not Sure
Not Yet

Serves herself food or pours water, with adult supervision *
Yes
Not Sure
Not Yet

Unbuttons some buttons *
Yes
Not Sure
Not Yet

Holds crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb (not a fist) *
Yes
Not Sure
Not Yet

Selected “not sure”? Watch for these milestones over the next week or two. Try some things with your child that gives him/her the chance to show the milestone. If you’re still not seeing the milestone, see the steps below.

Selected “not yet” or have other concerns or questions about your child’s development? Talk with your child’s doctor, teacher and/or another trusted provider. Share the checklist and any questions or concerns you might have. Ask about developmental screening. It’s recommended for all children. If you, the doctor, teacher, or other provider is still concerned after screening, ask to be connected with (1) a specialist who can learn more about your child AND (2) with services and other supports that may help. Visit www.cdc.gov/Concerned for more information.

To receive a copy of your child’s completed milestone checklist, enter your email address in the box below. *
– Share the checklist with your child’s healthcare provider, early educator, WIC Clinic, or other care providers by FORWARDING the email you receive.

– Be sure to add your child’s name and birthdate (if needed) when forwarding the checklist so your provider can identify it as your child’s.

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