Social 4 Years Old
Personal-Social Development - A Guide for Parents and Caregivers
Personal-Social development is extremely important as your child gradually learns to adapt and respond to the people around him/her. The area of social development emphasizes many skills that increase adult and peer interaction, self-awareness and self-regulation.
A child with a delay in social development may seem overly aggressive and incapable of spending time with other children without biting, hitting, or pushing them. They may have difficulty expressing their emotions or interacting with familiar adults.
While all children become unfriendly to others some of the time, especially when they are fighting over toys, it’s unusual for them to be aggressive all the time.
For more information please contact, Martha Fugate, ESS Preschool Coordinator (928) 373-3453.
Social Ability
The area of social development includes the ability of a child to interact with people, both adults and peers, and to develop a self-concept and social role within his/her environment.
Developmental Milestones
Four-Five Years Old
When dealing with the areas of development it is important to keep in mind that some children may achieve various developmental milestones earlier or later than the average, but still be in the normal range. The milestones provided below are examples of what to expect from your child within the four-five year age range.
- Will rely on non-parental adults for assistance
- Has a sense of humor
- Recognizes simple facial expressions
- Will generally comply with requests made by adults
- Able to share toys with peers
- Starting to play cooperatively
- Communicates with other children
- Knows first and last names
- Able to give self compliments appropriately
- Displays a positive attitude towards preschool or daycare
Personal-Social Activities
Here are a few of the activities that you can do with your child to help in his/her social development:
- Provide opportunities for your child to interact with same aged peers
- Facilitate turn-taking games
- Help the child label their own emotions. (Oh, you look sad, happy, etc. today)
- Ask questions such as, “How old are you?” etc.
- Help your child to model adult roles such as pretending to be cooking in the kitchen, or pretending to be daddy at work
Encouragement
Encourage self-esteem and a positive self-image in your child by using positive reinforcement and frequent praise for the things that he/she has accomplished. Encourage your child to be curious, explore, and take on new challenges.
If your child seems to be regressing or losing skills that he or she was able to do previously, please be sure to discuss these concerns with your child’s pediatrician.