Child Development Guide: 3-4 Years

Excessive fears; extreme separation anxiety; bedwetting; shyness; threatening or bullying peers; inhibited play; ritualistic behaviors, especially around food; persistent speech problems; toileting problems; excessive fear of strangers; lack of interest in others.

Note : Although these tasks and indicators may be present during ages 3 to 7, each may be more observable at specific times.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT: Three to Four Years
Normal Characteristics	Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting
Runs, jumps, begins to climb ladders; can start to ride tricycles; tries anything; is very active; tends to wander away.	Carefully supervise physical activities. Set necessary limits.
Scribbles in circles; likes to play with mud, sand, finger paints, etc.; can begin to put together simple puzzles and construction toys.	Provide materials and activities to develop coordination, e.g., sand, crayons, paint, puzzles.
Dresses self fairly well; cannot tie shoes.	Provide opportunities for child to dress self. Let him or her pick clothes.
Can feed self with a spoon or fork.	Let child feed self.
Takes care of toilet needs more independently; can stay dry all day but perhaps not all night; becomes very interested in own body and how it works.	Label all body parts without judgment, and answer questions about body functions simply and honestly.

Physical Development for Two to Three Years	Physical Development for Four to Five Years
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INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT: Three to Four Years
Normal Characteristics	Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting
Continues to learn through senses.	Provide many sensory experiences, e.g., sand, water, pictures.
Uses imagination a lot; starts dramatic play and role playing; likes to play grown-up roles, e.g., Mommy, Daddy, firefighter, spaceman, Wonder Woman.	Provide props for dramatic play, e.g., old clothes, shoes, make-up.
Begins to see cause-and-effect relationships.	Point out and explain common cause-and-effect relationships -- how rain helps flowers grow, how dropping makes glass break, how hitting hurts a person.
Is curious and inquisitive.	Explain things to the child, answer questions honestly, and help child put feelings and ideas into words.

Intellectual Development for Two to Three Years	Intellectual Development for Four to Five Years
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Reprinted with the permission of the Department of Social and Health Services.

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