Your child at 4 years

The CDC's 4-year checklist includes saying sentences of four or more words, naming a few colors, pretend play and catching a large ball most of the time.

The CDC's milestone checklist for 4 years lists 17 things most children (75% or more) do by 4 years, such as “Says sentences with four or more words” and “Catches a large ball most of the time”. Many do them sooner. If your child isn't doing one or more of them, or has lost a skill, the CDC says don't wait: talk with your child's doctor.

Checked October 29, 2026.

What most children do by 4 years

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)

From the CDC's “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” checklist, Milestones by 4 years, word for word (CDC page dated May 15, 2026; checked October 29, 2026). These are things most children (75% or more) can do by 4 years. The CDC's page has a photo or video of each one.

Play today

Count the catches
Toss a large, soft ball back and forth, and count how many catches in a row.
Who are you today?
Take turns pretending to be someone else: a teacher, a superhero, a puppy. Guess who the other one is.
What's it for?
Play a guessing game: "What is a coat for? What is a spoon for?" Then let your child ask you.

Things to say

“Tell me one thing you did today.”
“What comes next in the story?”
“What is a crayon for?”

Say it, then wait. Give your child time to answer with a look, a sound or a word, and answer back.

A rhyme to share

Mary Had a Little Lamb. Say it together, and leave out the last word of each line for your child to fill in.

The words are on Peabody's Nursery rhymes with lyrics list.

Questions parents ask about this age

When do toddlers kick a ball?By 2 years: Kicks a ball
When do toddlers start pretend play?By 30 months: Uses things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll as if it were food
When do toddlers learn colors?By 30 months: Shows he knows at least one color, like pointing to a red crayon when you ask, “Which one is red?”
When do toddlers talk in sentences?By 3 years: Talks with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges
When do toddlers show empathy?By 2 years: Notices when others are hurt or upset, like pausing or looking sad when someone is crying

Talk to your pediatrician if…

Your child isn't doing one or more of the things on the CDC's 4-year list above, has lost a skill they once had, or you're worried for any reason.

You know your child best. Don't wait. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early. Talk with your child's doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening.
CDC, Learn the Signs. Act Early.

If you or the doctor are still concerned, the CDC says to ask for a referral to a specialist, and to call your state's early intervention program (find the number on the CDC's list). You do not need to wait for a doctor's referral or a medical diagnosis to make this call. If your child is age 3 or older, call any local public elementary school (even if your child does not go to school there) and say: "I have concerns about my child's development and I would like to have my child evaluated through the school system for preschool special education services."

More from the CDC: Concerned about your child's development? If your child seems unwell, call your pediatrician, or 911 in an emergency.

What the CDC suggests you share with the doctor

What are some things you and your child do together?
What are some things your child likes to do?
Is there anything your child does or does not do that concerns you?
Has your child lost any skills he/she once had?
Does your child have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

From the CDC's Milestones by 4 years page. The CDC suggests filling in a milestone checklist and sharing it with your child's doctor; its Milestone Tracker app is free.

Peabody Parents