Your Four to Five Year Old Child
Your preschooler now has the coordination and balance of an adult. Watch him walk and run with long, swinging, confident strides, go up and down stairs without holding the handrail, stand on his tiptoes, whirl himself in a circle, and pump himself on a swing. He also has the muscular strength to perform challenging activities such as turning somersaults and doing a standing broad jump.
It will be a toss-up as to who is excited more by his progress—you or him. In your child’s eagerness to prove just how capable and independent he is, he’ll often run ahead of you when out on a walk. His motor skills are still way ahead of his judgment, however, so you’ll need to remind him frequently to wait and hold your hand when crossing the street.
The need for vigilance is just as important when he is anywhere near water. Even if he can swim, he probably can’t swim well or consistently. And should he accidentally go under, he may become frightened and forget how to keep himself afloat. So never leave him alone in a pool or in the water at the beach.
Last Updated 11/2/2009
Source Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5 (Copyright © 2009 American Academy of Pediatrics)
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
