Four-Year Visit

Your 4-year-old is exploring their environment and having an increase in social interactions. Play remains critical to social development. Your child will like being with friends and will start to require less adult supervision.

Children develop at their own pace, so it’s impossible to tell exactly when your child will learn a skill. The developmental milestones below will give you a general idea of the changes you can expect as your child ages. Don’t be alarmed if your child takes a slightly different course.

  • Four- to five-word sentences are used most of the time
  • tells a story
  • count up to four objects
  • dress without assistance (except tying the shoes)
  • can distinguish between genders and might engage in male-female role play
  • can copy a cross and circle

  • have hearing and vision screening performed
  • have blood pressure taken
  • receive four booster vaccines (Dtap, polio, MMR and chicken pox). Remember–it’s important to be honest with your child about receiving vaccines.

  • your child should always wear a helmet while riding a bicycle or scooter
  • you should discuss stranger safety
  • you should check to make sure playground equipment is secure and there are no loose parts
  • your child should never swim without supervision

At this visit, your child will receive the MMR, Varicella, Dtap, and polio vaccines. These are all boosters to vaccines your child has had before. If the season is appropriate, your child may also receive the Influenza vaccine. Your child may be eligible to have the Influenza vaccine as a nasal spray instead of an injection. You can discuss this option with your doctor.