Normal Development: 4 Year Olds

Physical Development

• Hops, runs,skips, climbs with increasing skill.
• Tires easily.
• Is accident prone.
• Likes making loud noises, but is frightened by unexpected sounds.
• Goes to the bathroom without help.
• Makes designs and draws recognizable objects.
• Can use blunt scissors.
• Dresses self (with exception of shoes)

Emotional Development

• Sometimes still acts like a baby.
• Show new fears (becoming more aware of dangers).
• Enjoys silliness.

Social Development

• Refers to parents as final authority.
• Continues to test parental limits
• Uses naughty words to see how others react.
• Is ready for group activities.
• Talks "with" another child, but does not listen to what other child says.
• Is comfortable with other children, but reluctant to share.
• Tattles and name calls.
• Imitates adults.

Mental Development

• Is more likely to solve problems through words that aggressive action.
• Has a vocabulary of about 1,500-2,00 words.
• Speaks in 4 to 5 sentences.
• Likes funny exaggerated stories.
• Can count to 5.
• Identifies some shapes.
• Can understand some concepts of time (yesterday, today, tomorrow).
• Often asks "why".  
• Usually can put toys away without adult help.
• Insists on finishing an activity or project.
• Likes to help with simple tasks
• Starts to know difference between right and wrong.
• Shows growing ability to tell real-life from make believe.
• Tell tall tales, but cannot always tell the difference between truth and lies.
• Believes the nly viewpoint is his or her own.
• believes 2 unrelated events can have a cause-effect relationship.

Normal Development: 5 Years Old

Physical Development

• Begins to lose primary (baby) teeth.
• Displays left or right handedness/
• Build elaborate structures.
• Tires easily.
• Bathes, eats, dresses, toilets without help.
• Begins to participate in semi structured games.
• Enjoys active games and movement.
• Enjoys playing noisy rhythm instruments.
• Is curious about reproduction and birth.

Emotional Development

• Starts to express more feelings in words. 
• Embarrasses easily, and cannot yet laugh at self.
• May have feelings about death.
• Shows guilt over misbehavior.
• Likes independence.
• Is serious and dependable.

Social Development

• Follows more rules and regulations.
• May tattle, nave-call, hit and shove at times.
• Cooperates in simple group tasks.
• Likes to please adults.
• Takes turns during playing and speaking.
• Gets along with other children.
• Is keenly interested in family activities.

Mental Development

• Starts to recognize letters and words.
• Keeps up activities o ver longer periods of time.
• Has developed a self-image.
• Craves facts.
• Names simple colors.
• Understands left from right.
• Has a vocabulary of about 2,000-2,500 words.
• Can help with chores.
• Can learn address and phone numbers.
• Can think some things through.
• Can count to 10.
• Starts to understand concept of opposites.
• Can speak in sentences of 6 to 8 words.
• Can tell coins apart.
• Engages in elaborate dramatic play.
• Understand concepts of morning, afternoon, night, yesterday, today and tomorrow.
• Is Better able to tell make-believe for real life.