Great Tips for a Great Fourth Year

What You Need to Know

Just last year, Justin was a shy and reserved child, who often hid behind his mom when strangers were around. Seemingly overnight, he transformed into an outgoing and friendly four-year-old with an endless supply of energy and curiosity. “Who is this child,” his parents often wonder, “and what has he done with my baby?”

It’s common for parents to feel overwhelmed when their children turn four, as the changes that occur are dramatic. As a parent, you may find that the little boy who wanted to be held all the time is now itching to play outdoors and go visit friends. His imagination runs wild and you won’t be able to keep up with his role-playing games. From cop to dragon-slayer, you’ll see it all in one day.

Embrace these changes—they’re all part of the magical age of four! To better understand how your child is evolving, take a minute to explore some key areas of development:

• Physical Development: Your child is more independent and is starting to dress himself, use silverware more effectively, and even ride a bike with training wheels.
• Social Development: Your child loves new experiences and people this year. He also understands the meaning of friendship. You’ll notice that he’s more cooperative when he plays with others, and he loves to tell secrets and stories. However, loyalty to friendships may not set in for a while. Your son may have a best friend one day and dislike the same child the next day for no good reason.  
• Emotional Development: Your four-year-old is bound to be temperamental, often feeling happy one minute and sad the next. He’s also starting to understand why people feel a certain way, saying things like, “My friend is mad because someone ate his cookie.”
• Intellectual Development: You child can understand and use words like "under," "on," "above," and "below." His speech is well-formed and he may show an interest in reading.

How You Can Help

As your child makes the important transition from three to four, you’ll find many opportunities to support his development. Here are some tips to help you make the most of the Fantastic Fours:

• Encourage your child to make friends and be a good friend. For example, if your daughter is angry with a friend because she took her toy, help her resolve the situation calmly and move on.
• Explore the world with your child. Take him somewhere he’s never been, introduce him to new people, and feed him new foods. By varying his activities and experiences, you’ll keep him engaged and interested.
• Accept his mood swings. Don’t fret if he’s sad or angry. It’s okay to comfort him during fits but they’ll usually pass quickly if you don’t pay too much attention to them.
• Don’t be too demanding when it comes to educating your child. For example, it’s better to read books with your daughter when she wants to, rather than forcing her to sit down and read with you for a long period of time. Also, try taking her to a library and allowing her to select her own books—she’ll appreciate the independence at this age.
• While it’s important to discipline your child, be patient. As frustrated as you may be, avoid hitting, yelling, and using cruel words as a way of discipline. If you feel yourself about to lose control, put your child in her bedroom and take five minutes to calm down. When you’re calm, sit her down and talk to her about why you’re upset and set rules for the future.

For more information about your wonderful four-year-old, check out the full article:

www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Fantastic_Four_Year/