4 to 5 Year Olds

When assessing a child between the ages of 4-5 years I look for the following developmental milestones:

(scaled down for parent understanding and give a general overview). A good reference screening tool I use is Developmental Assessment of Infants and Children, 2^nd Edition and various kindergarten readiness lists.

During Meal time

1. Is the child able to serve themselves?
2. Is the child eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, meats or other protein sources?
3. Is the child able to drink from an open cup successfully without spilling?
4. Is the child able to clean up after themselves? Help with tasks at mealtime?
5. Is the child engaged during eating time, talks to peers?
6. Is the child able to sit for an entire meal?
7. Is the child able to communicate their wants and needs for eating and drinking?

During playtime

1. Is the child interacting appropriately with others and participates in group play? Separates from caregiver easily?
2. Is the child able to pay attention during story time, raising hand to speak?
3. Can the child predict what will happen next in a story? Recite a story?
4. Can the child count to 10, count objects to 10? Match objects by size/shape/color?
5. Is the child able to follow steps of a project ie; Gluing, cutting, pasting?
6. Can the child sort by size, quantity, color and shape?
7. Can the child repeat their name and birthday? Recite days of the week and months of the year?
8. Does the child have conversations with clearly stated words?
9. Recognize letters and numbers? simple sight words? Body parts? Name colors?
10. Is the child able to hold a crayon with their fingers and draw stick figures? Circles/ squares/cross? Trace then write their name? cut with scissors?
11. Is the child able to hop, jump forward, gallop?

Self Care:

1. Is the child potty trained, including sleeping through the night without wetting?
2. Is the child dressing and undressing independently?
3. Is the child starting to use buttons, zippers and fasteners?
4. Washing face and hands, brushing their teeth?

Meal Time:

1. Provide three meals a day with two healthy snacks. Snacks should be healthy treats to boost intake not treats.
2. Try to keep a scheduled time for eating, eat meals seated and avoid snacking all day.
3. Continue to provide the fruits and vegetables increasing variety and texture.
4. Encourage use of open cup, utensils and cleaning up.
5. Encourage independent teeth brushing after meals

Sleeping:

1. Continue a night time routine to assist the child to know when it is time to sleep for the night. Examples; bath, brush teeth, read a story, start music then lights out.
2. Try to avoid feeding or drinking to close to bed time to limit to possibility of reflux
3. Make sure room is dark and quiet I highly RECOMMEND Subliminal positive affirmations music to promote self confidence and security before bedtime and 30 minutes chakra cleansing music before nap.
4. YouTube: 30 minute to unblock all 7 chakras offered by 5 min to zen. I like this one cause if the time limit before nap.
5. YouTube: Subliminal I am affirmations for self esteem by 30 Minute mind set.
6. Once your child stops napping, alternate nightly the above music at bedtime

Playtime: See shopping list for complete list of age appropriate toys

1. Provide lots of experiences outside to explore the environment. Stimulate all senses
2. Outside play and playgrounds are KEY at this age for development
3. Provide educational toys that promote writing, sight words, letters, identifying colors and numbers, counting, direction following and simple concepts.
4. Provide experiences that encourage imagination including; dress up clothes, kitchens, puppets, fairy tales, taking care of babies and transportation.
5. Provide language experiences by singing, dancing, answering questions, reading stories, following directions through play,
6. Provide social experiences to assist the child to learn about interacting with others. It is important to note that we want to make sure a child is maintaining eye contact, engaged with others, interested in others and likes to see other people’s responses. This is done through turn taking, playgrounds, music, meal times and play with family and friends.

Things to keep an eye on:

1. Social interaction: this is important to make sure the child is not withdrawn or has difficulty with peer interaction. I highly recommend positive affirmations before bed to assist the child with a positive mindset to build confidence to interact with peers.