4 years old

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Pretends to be something else during play (teacher, superhero, dog) 

• Asks to go play with children if none are around, like “Can I play with Alex?” 

• Comforts others who are hurt or sad, like hugging a crying friend

• Avoids danger, like not jumping from tall heights at the playground 

• Likes to be a “helper” 

• Changes behavior based on where she is (place of worship, library, playground) 

Language/Communication Milestones

• Says sentences with four or more words 

• Says some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme 

• Talks about at least one thing that happened during her day, like “I played soccer.” 

• Answers simple questions like “What is a coat for?” or “What is a crayon for?” 

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Names a few colors of items 

• Tells what comes next in a well-known story 

• Draws a person with three or more body parts

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Catches a large ball most of the time

• Serves herself food or pours water, with adult supervision

• Unbuttons some buttons 

• Holds crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb (not a fist)

5 years old

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Follows rules or takes turns when playing games with other children

• Sings, dances, or acts for you 

• Does simple chores at home, like matching socks or clearing the table after eating

Language/Communication Milestones

• Tells a story she heard or made up with at least two events. For example, a cat was stuck in a tree and a firefighter saved it 

• Answers simple questions about a book or story after you read or tell it to him 

• Keeps a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges 

• Uses or recognizes simple rhymes (bat-cat, ball-tall) 

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Counts to 10 

• Names some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them 

• Uses words about time, like “yesterday,” “tomorrow,” “morning,” or “night” 

• Pays attention for 5 to 10 minutes during activities. For example, during story time or making arts and crafts (screen time does not count) 

• Writes some letters in her name 

• Names some letters when you point to them 

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Buttons some buttons 

• Hops on one foot