Ensuring your child is progressing developmentally is crucial for their overall well-being and future success. Early detection of delays allows for timely intervention, fostering skills in speech, motor functions, and social interactions. By monitoring their growth, you can help your child reach their full potential and navigate each developmental milestone with confidence. We expect to see the following milestones for children ages 42 to 48 months:
Cognitive
- Retells story form picture book
- Can build pyramid of six blocks
- Draws people
- Can copy own name
- Draws a face with at least three features
Communication
- Uses facial expressions and body language to demonstrate emotions
- Understands passive sentences (e.g., “Show me the car was pushed by the truck.”)
- Make statements about cause and effect
- Can define at least five simple words
- Can tell how simple objects are used
Social-Emotional
- Returns objects to their appropriate place
- Accepts friendly teasing
- Can explain rules of a game to others
- Expresses anger with words rather than physical action
- Shows empathy for others
Adaptive
- Dresses self completely (may not be able to tie shoes/laces)
- Servies self at the table
- Often wants privacy in the bathroom
- Can answer “what to do if” questions
- Fastens seatbelt independently
Physical Development
- Copies a square
- Gallops
- Can jump over low objects
- Glues neatly
- Walks down steps alternating feet
- Can walk on tiptoes
Notes:
Folio, M.R., & Fewell, R.R. (2000). Peabody developmental motor scales-Second edition. Austin, TX: PRO-ED.
Kipping, P., Gard, A., Gilman, L., & Gorman, J. (2012). Speech and language development (3rd ed.), Austin, TX: PRO-ED.
Linder., T.W. (1993). Transdisciplinary play-based assessment. Baltimore, MD: Brookes.
Voress, J.K., & Maddox, T. (2013). Developmental assessment of young children-Second edition. Austin, TX: PRO-ED.
