Social, cognitive, and physical milestones for 3- to 4-year-olds

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Doctor Ho Thi Hong Tho - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital.
Most parents eagerly await the milestones of their 3-4 year olds. Socially, she is more confident and comfortable, makes new friendships, and begins to participate in small group play. So what do 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds know?

1. Children's cognitive development milestones

1.1. Talk

By age 3, your child can already speak almost anything. So what do 4-year-olds know? In general, a 4-year-old preschooler can:
Speak in sentences of 5 or more words; Can answer simple questions and pronounce them well enough for strangers to understand; Begins to use the word “already/already” before and after verbs to express the past tense (“I ate”); 3 - 4 year olds should be able to understand a sentence with 2 - 4 parts, such as "Pick up the paper, fold it and give it to mom." At this age, children are usually fluent and easy without repeating words, but they can still mispronounce some words. You don't need to worry as many children stutter and most will improve on their own without intervention.
Stuttering also worries parents, but this is a normal stage many children go through. Your child is rapidly developing language skills, so he may have trouble putting sentences together fluently. Your baby's brain is trying to make the right words in the right order. So during this process, your baby can repeat words.
Some experts speculate that children can take a step back before learning a new skill. In other words, the brain rests before taking the leap. You may notice your child stutters more when he's tired, excited, or upset. Most children will get through on their own without intervention.

1.2. What can parents do?

Reading to your child is a great way to boost your child's language skills. The pediatrician said: Books help children increase vocabulary, understand grammar and associate meaning with pictures. Similarly, talking to your child is also very helpful. Many parents find mealtime and bedtime a great opportunity for conversation. These can be the only pauses in a busy day for you to really listen to your child. When children don't know words or don't understand something, they may ask: “...what is it?” This is an opportunity to help your child expand his vocabulary, even if you actively introduce things that he did not ask.

2. Social and emotional development

2.1. Separate and independent

Children this age can be torn between wanting to be independent and needing the safety and comfort of their parents' arms. The milestones 3 - 4 year olds can achieve are:
Developing friendships outside of family, for example in preschool; Play with other children, instead of just playing with a friend sitting next to you. Around the question of what 3-year-old children know, experts say that children will be less dependent on their parents. This is a positive sign that your child feels safe and has a stronger sense of self.

2.2. What can parents do?

The challenge of parenting is to find the right balance between nurturing, protecting and guiding, allowing your child to explore and experiment to become an independent person, says one expert. So let your child try new things in a safe way instead of meddling. This mistake can promote dependence and lower a child's self-confidence. At home, you should find out what your baby is afraid of, such as going to bed alone, and then address it gently, making sure he's safe. Ask your child about things that might be bothering her and find ways to get rid of them. Stay in preschool for a while for the first few mornings so your child can get comfortable with the unfamiliar surroundings. Or just send your child to school for a few hours at first and then gradually increase it to half a day or a full day. Ask your child to invite their kindergarten friends home. Children's sense of independence is also nurtured when you respect them. For example, don't force your child to kiss or hug someone else if he doesn't want to.

3. Physical development

3.1. Take care of yourself

The older children get, the more they will want to learn and do things on their own. While your child may not yet be able to master and excel, teaching your child how to take care of themselves is an important part of a child's personal and social development.
At around 3 - 4 years old, preschoolers can:
Use spoons and forks like adults; Using a toilet instead of a baby potty, wetting the bed rarely during the night, and boys switching from sitting to standing on the toilet; Dressing and brushing teeth by themselves with the help and supervision of parents; Help your parents with some household chores like picking up toys and making their own bed, helping mom stir the mix in the kitchen or helping dad water the plants.

3.2. What can parents do?

Encourage when your preschooler tries a new skill, tell him you're proud he tried (regardless of the outcome) and ask him to continue. Don't always help and do for your child. Children must have enough time to complete the work on their own, at their own pace. Try not to pressure your child when he's not ready. Watch carefully as your child begins to try things he's never done before, and explain why he can't do some dangerous things, like turn on the oven or cut fruit with a knife. Overall, important cognitive, social and physical milestones will be reached this year. It's important to remember that all children develop at their own pace, so don't worry if your child hits some of these milestones sooner or later. Parents play a very important role in supporting their children, because they always need your guidance, encouragement and love.
Caring, protecting and nurturing children is a long process, so parents should be a companion to help children promote their physical, cognitive and mental abilities well.
For children to be healthy and develop well, it is necessary to have a nutritious diet in terms of quantity and quality balance. If children are not provided with adequate and balanced nutrients, it will lead to diseases of excess or lack of nutrients, which adversely affect the comprehensive development of children in terms of physical, mental and motor skills.
Children who do not eat properly are at risk of micro-mineral deficiency causing anorexia, growth retardation, malabsorption,... If they notice the above signs, parents should supplement their children with products. The supplement contains lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet the nutritional needs of children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
Parents can learn more:
Signs of zinc deficiency in children
Micronutrient deficiency and failure to gain weight in children
Please regularly visit Vinmec.com website and update useful information to take care of your child. Take care of the baby and the whole family.
Reference source: babycenter.com