Your Child at 4
This year, your child will finish preschool and get ready for kindergarten. They will become increasingly independent and are likely to enjoy singing, dancing and acting.
Getting involved in family activities, such as planning and preparing meals, will help foster this sense of independence. Your encouragement and support will help them to accomplish their goals.
Your child may require immunizations or hearing/vision screenings, so visit the doctor for yearly check-ups.
At 4 years old your child should be able to:
- Hop on one leg
- Do somersaults
- Copy triangles and other geometric patterns
- Use future tense. (For example, "Tomorrow I am going to school.")
- Tell their full name and address
- Count to ten or more objects
- Want to be like their friends
- Exhibit greater independence
- Easily agree with rules
- Enjoy singing, dancing and acting
If you have concerns about your child's development, contact the Washtenaw ISD Early Childhood Department at (734) 994-8100, ext. 1832.
Washtenaw Preschools
Childhood experts agree: Attending a high-quality preschool program prepares children for kindergarten and beyond. A good preschool experience will provide your child with the essential skills for a successful entry into school and life.
School Readiness
You can help your child to succeed in school by providing opportunities for them to practice reading and writing throughout their day.
First Steps Towards Reading and Writing
Ten Tips for Reading with Young Children
Books Preschoolers Like:
- Ones that tell stories (like fairy tales and legends)
- Books about kids that look like them and live like them
- Books about different places and different ways of living
- Books about going to school and making friends
- Books with simple text they can memorize
- Counting books, alphabet books, vocabulary books
Temperament
Understanding how your child approaches and reacts to the world around them is important as they enter school. Tuning into your child's temperament can help you to understand their personal style of interacting with others and approaching new experiences.
As a parent, you can share this information with teachers to make the school experience more successful. The Child Development Institute lists 9 temperament traits in children that might help you to understand your child and their learning style.
Handling children's fears
The world can be a scary place for young children. As a child grows, their fears can change from slipping down the bathtub drain to fears of monsters in the closet. As your child prepares to enter school, they will encounter many new experiences that they may not fully understand.
To learn more about how you can help your child to handle their fears, read
wash away germs
Now that your preschooler has entered school, it is more important than ever that they understand the importance of hand washing to protect themselves from germs.
There will be occasions when you may not be present to remind them. No child is too young to learn how to protect themselves from getting sick.
For teaching tips and more information visit