Every parent wants what is best for their child. It’s one of the reasons people work so hard, in an attempt to give them everything that they didn’t have when growing up. It also encourages children to succeed in life as they know they have the support of loving parents behind them.
The role of child development should be shared between you and the early learning center you’ve chosen. That’s why it’s so important to choose a reputable center, such as this early learning Chatswood. You’ll need all the help you can get!
But, to ensure your child is progressing properly, you need to be aware of the key development milestones for a 4-5-year-old. This will allow you to seek expert help if your child is falling short on all of them.
However, you should note that children do develop at different rates. If your child is close to achieving the relevant milestones then you shouldn’t panic.
Language & Cognitive Milestones
By the time your child is 5 years old, you’ll be aware that they are often singing, rhyming, or simply making up words. This is a positive sign as they explore the limits of their language.
In development terms you can expect them to form complete sentences, these don’t need to be excessively complex.
They should also be able to name three or four colors and several shapes. Advanced children may even be able to write their own name.
At this stage it is normal for children to understand the concepts of the day, for example, to know that breakfast is in the morning and lunch at midday (ish).
They will also be able to identify and respond to simple commands, such as ‘stop!’
Hands & Fingers
Another key part of development is the ability to physically complete simple tasks when asked. This infringes on command recognition. However, as these tasks are often represented as fun play, your child should have no issue responding.
A 4-5-year-old should be able to hop on one foot for 10 seconds or more. They should be able to walk up and down the stairs without assistance, although that won’t stop you worrying about them.
In addition, your child should be able to walk forward and backward, pedal a tricycle, and copy shapes. This can be on paper or by creating them out of objects, such as sticks, building blocks, or even sand.
The average 4-5-year-old can also draw a person. The resemblance won’t be perfect but they should distinguish between a head and a body.
They should also be able to stack at least ten blocks without them falling over and use a fork, spoon, and a knife; if you choose to give the one. This is also a good time for them to be able to brush their teeth by themselves.
Don’t worry if your child is falling a little short of these developmental milestones. Just keep monitoring and talking to your medical professional.