Developmental Milestones for a 4-Year-Old Female
A 4-year-old girl should be able to climb stairs without support, skip on one foot, draw a person with 6 body parts, draw a simple cross, and button medium-sized buttons. 1
Gross Motor Skills
By age 4 years, the following gross motor abilities are expected:
- Climbs stairs without support - this represents advancement from the 2.5-year milestone of alternating feet while climbing with support 1
- Skips on one foot - demonstrates balance and coordination development 1
- Should have already mastered earlier skills including pedaling a tricycle and climbing on/off furniture (achieved by age 3) 1
Fine Motor Skills
Expected fine motor capabilities at 4 years include:
- Draws a person with 6 body parts - this is a significant advancement from the 3-year-old ability to draw a person with only a head and one other body part 1
- Draws a simple cross - demonstrates visual-motor integration 1
- Buttons medium-sized buttons - shows refined finger dexterity and hand-eye coordination 1
Additional Developmental Domains
While motor milestones are the focus, preschool-aged children at 48 months should also demonstrate:
- Early elementary school readiness skills including emerging handwriting abilities 1
- Communication abilities that promote participation with peers in group activities 1
- Feeding skills appropriate for independent eating in social settings 1
Clinical Surveillance Considerations
Important red flags that warrant immediate evaluation:
- Loss of previously attained skills - this should alert you to possible progressive neuromuscular disorders 1, 2
- Asymmetry in motor movements or persistent one-sided preference beyond 18 months 2
- Concerns raised by preschool or childcare staff about motor development should be addressed promptly 1
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends standardized developmental screening at the 48-month visit, particularly when concerns exist about motor, speech, or oral motor development 1, 2. More subtle impairments in gross motor, fine motor, and coordination may emerge at this age that were not apparent at earlier visits 1.
Context for Assessment
These milestones represent mean ages of performance - some variation is normal, but marked delays beyond these ages warrant attention 1. Developmental surveillance should be continuous throughout childhood, with additional screenings performed whenever concerns arise from parents, healthcare professionals, or educators 1.