4-6 Years Abilities

Key Abilities

• Is interested in, aware of, and able to maintain eye contact with others
• Enjoys playing in small groups with children of the same age
• Is able to initiate and play with another child of the same age
• Turns head in response to name being called
• Interested in exploring varied environments, such as new playground or friend’s house
• Is able to play in new social situations
• Enjoys playing with variety of toys intended for children of the same age
• Is aware of risky and unsafe environments and behavior
• Participates in crafts/activities that involve wet textures, such as glue
• Enjoys rough but safe play with peers, siblings, or parents
• Enjoys swinging on playground swings
• Enjoys playing with new toys
• Is able to locate objects you are pointing to
• Enjoys sitting to look at or listen to a book
• Usually does not bring non-food objects to mouth
• Is able to play with one toy or theme for 15 minute periods of time

Key Abilities

• Enjoys and seeks out various ways to move and play
• Has adequate endurance and strength to play with peers
• Coordinates movements needed to play and explore
• Usually walks with heel toe pattern and not primarily on toes
• Can maintain balance to catch ball or when gently bumped by peers
• Is able to walk and maintain balance over uneven surfaces
• Walks through new room without bumping into objects or people
• Only leans on furniture, walls or people and sits slumped over when tired
• Is able to throw and attempt to catch ball without losing balance
• Coordinates both hands to play, such as swinging a bat or opening a container
• Coordinates hand and finger movement needed to participate in table top games and activities
• Is able to color and begin to imitate shapes
• Uses appropriate force when playing with peers or pets or when holding objects
• Is able to maintain good sitting posture needed to sit in chair

Key Abilities

• Is able to use utensils to pick up pieces of food
• Has an established sleep schedule
• Is usually able to self calm to fall asleep
• Is able to tolerate and wear textures of new and varied articles of clothes
• Is able to take appropriate bites of food, does not always stuff mouth
• Is able to tolerate haircuts and nail cutting without crying
• Is able to adapt to changes in routine
• Can take bath or shower, although preference may be present
• Eats a diet rich in various foods, temperatures, and textures
• Can drink from a cup and straw without dribbling
• Need for crashing, bumping and moving fast does not interfere with participation in activities and family life
• Is able to complete everyday tasks that have multiple steps, such as dressing
• Frequently wakes up rested and ready for a new day

Key Abilities

• Is generally happy when not hungry or tired
• Has grown accustomed to everyday sounds and is usually not startled by them
• Has an established and reliable sleeping schedule
• Is able to enjoy a wide variety of touch, noises, and smells
• Cries and notices when hurt
• Is able to calm self down after upsetting event
• Is able to transition to new environment or activity
• Is able to pay attention and is not distracted by sounds not noticed by others
• Is able to cope with an unexpected change