44 month old development and milestones.
Just like that, your child is now three years and eight months old (44 months old). Now that he’s almost four, your little one might already be in preschool, or maybe you’re thinking of sending him.
He also is a ball of energy and has a proper little personality! What should you expect when it comes to your 44 month old child? How can you know if your child’s development is on track?
3-4 year old milestones checklist
44 month old development and milestones. | Photo by Min An from Pexels
1. Physical Development
Your child should be able to move about freely at this age. They’ll have a blast running, jumping, and even spinning in circles until they pass out!
However, it isn’t something you should be concerned about. It’s still a good idea to keep an eye on your child because children this age enjoy climbing and jumping from high locations.
Kids this age can also climb stairs, ride a tricycle, and kick a ball with ease. They can also bend over and move backward and forwards without falling.
At this age, your child’s motor skills are well-developed, allowing them to stack blocks and catch a ball. Expect your child to engage in a lot of physical activity, which is a great way to educate them on the importance of staying active early on.
At this age, females should weigh around 15.2 kg (33.5 lbs) and boys should weigh around 15.7 kg (34.7 lbs). Girls should be around 98.8 cm (38.9 inches) tall and males should be around 100.2 cm (39.4 inches) tall, though this varies depending on heredity.
- Make sure your youngster gets enough physical activity to improve his or her motor abilities.
- Play with them as often as possible, and take them to parks or other places where they may run, jump, climb, and explore.
When to Talk to Your Doctor:
If you find that your child lacks the same level of coordination as other youngsters, you should consult a doctor. However, keep in mind that children develop at different rates, and a variety of circumstances might influence your child’s development. So, if your child isn’t as strong or energetic as the other youngsters, don’t panic.
When it comes to these concerns, it’s always a good idea to visit your doctor first.
2. Cognitive Development
In terms of cognitive abilities, a 44-month-old child’s highlight is asking a lot of questions. Your child will become more interested in the world around them at this age. This period is all about your child asking questions, so have good responses ready!
A 44-month-old infant should also be able to identify colors, comprehend the concepts of same and different, and obey simple orders. It’s also much easier for kids to comprehend stories at this age, and they can count correctly.
They can also classify objects by shape and color, and recognize objects only based on their images. At this age, their imaginations will run wild, and it’s common to find kids pretending to be in a fantasy world.
- Giving your child age-appropriate puzzles to assist stimulate their brains is a good method to increase their cognitive skills.
- To help kids use their imagination and creativity, ask them questions and let them tell stories.
When to Talk to Your Doctor:
A pediatrician should be consulted if your kid has difficulty following directions or identifying and sorting objects by shape or color. It’s also a clue that something is awry if your youngster appears withdrawn or pays little attention to their environment.
3. Social and Emotional Development
The advantage of having a 44-month-old child is that they will start throwing fewer tantrums than they did when they were younger. It will be easier to drop them off at school, and they will be more independent than before.
They’ll also start cooperating with their classmates and learn to take turns. They’ll also know what “mine” and “his, hers, and theirs” mean.
Children begin to display problem-solving ability as well as a wide range of emotions at this age, so be ready to deal with these challenges ahead of time!
- Allowing your child to play with other children is a good idea so that they develop acclimated to being around them.
- Encourage them to interact with other kids by encouraging them to share, take turns, and collaborate. This helps children to be more outgoing and social.
When to Talk to Your Doctor:
If your child appears withdrawn, dislikes being around other children, or ignores other children, you should consult your pediatrician.
4. Speech and Language Development
In terms of speech and language, your child should be able to say 250 to 500 words.
This means they can answer basic inquiries, create simple sentences, and communicate effectively. They’ll start telling stories at this age, and a 44-month-old child can be rather chatty!
They should also be able to follow simple directions, allowing you to assign them simple obligations and chores.
- Read several stories out loud to them to get them used to hearing words.
- Allowing kids to read books at this point will help them get familiar with letters and numbers.
When to Talk to Your Doctor:
If your child continues to have difficulties speaking clearly or begins to drool, he or she may be developing problems. It’s always a good idea to see your doctor once a month so that any developmental issues can be caught early.
5. Health and Nutrition
44 month old development and milestones. | Photo by Vanessa Loring
When it comes to health and nutrition, children this age should be able to eat most anything that adults can eat.
Of course, being kids, they’ll have their own preferences, and it can sometimes be a chore to make them eat their veggies!
For kids at this age, having a balanced diet is crucial because this is an important point in their growth and development. Your child needs roughly 1,200 to 1,500 calories a day depending on their growth and activity level.
Your child needs 3-5 ounces of protein, 1-1 1/2 cups of fruit, 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 cups of vegetables, 4-6 ounces of grains, and 2 1/2 cups of dairy each day.
Their normal weight at this age is about 10.4 to 21.9 kg and their normal height should be about 91.0 to 110.3 cm, though it varies depending on genetics.
It’s also a good idea to consult your physician about vaccines at this stage. Pediatricians usually recommend Hepatitis B, DPT,MMR, Varicella, Pneumococcal conjugate, Hemophilus influenza type b, and/or inactivated poliovirus vaccines for your child. Be sure to stick to your child’s immunization schedule to keep them free from any diseases.
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The following foods should be included in your child’s everyday diet:
Your youngster will need 4-5 ounces of grains to receive adequate carbohydrates for the day. Whole grains, which contain more minerals and fiber than refined grains, should account for half of this. 1 piece of bread, 1 cup of ready-to-eat cereal, or 12 cup of cooked rice, cooked pasta, or cooked cereal equals 1 ounce of grains.
Protein is a primary building ingredient of skin, cartilage, and bones, and it helps your developing child build muscles and repair tissue.
Meat is an excellent source of protein for your child, who requires 3-4 ounces per day at this age. Eggs or plant-based protein sources can also be used in place of meat. 1 ounce of meat, chicken, or fish, 14 cup cooked dry beans, or one egg.
Make fruits and vegetables a fun, regular part of your child’s snacks and meals, and he or she will gravitate toward them. Fruits and vegetables are your child’s primary sources of vitamins and minerals. At her age, she would require 1-112 cups of fruits and 112 cups of vegetables each day.
Milk is an important source of calcium, protein, potassium, and a range of other minerals for your child’s nutrition. Each day, your child should consume at least 2 cups of milk, but 2 cups of yogurt, 3 ounces of natural cheese, or 4 ounces of processed cheese will suffice.
- As always, a balanced diet is always recommended, and don’t worry about introducing your child to various foods so they get used to the tastes.
- Don’t worry if your child seems small, since a child’s size depends on genetics as well. What’s important is that your child is healthy, active, and isn’t prone to getting sick.
When to Talk to Your Doctor:
If your child is very small for their age, seems malnourished, or isn’t eating a lot of food, then be sure to visit the doctor to have them checked.
There might be some underlying problems that your child might have, and your doctor would best be able to identify any of these problems and help you with your concern.
44 month old development and milestones by age
44 month old development and milestones| Photo by ShotPot from Pexels
1. Gross Motor
- Hops on one foot and can balance on one foot for 3–4 seconds.
- Goes upstairs and downstairs without holding on.
- He catches bouncing balls the bulk of the time.
- Quickly moves forward and backward.
2. Fine Motor
- A person with 2–4 body parts is created.
- Scissors are used to cut a line.
- Copies a cross (36–41 months)
- Copies a square (42–47 months)
- A few letters have been printed.
- Colors with direction
- Constructs a ten-block skyscraper
- (42–47 months) Cuts out a circle
- Forms a knot
3. Language – 44 month old development and milestones by month
- Has an excellent grasp of the concepts of “same” and “different.”
- Some colors have accurate names.
- Understands the concept of counting and knows a few numbers.
- Some details from a story are recalled.
- Speaks in five-word or longer sentences
- Strangers can comprehend him since he is articulate.
- Tells stories
4. Personal and social skills
44 month old development and milestones. | Photo by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels
- The passage of time begins to make more sense.
- He had fun with his imagination.
- Is interested in new adventures.
- It gets along well with other children.
- Is it Dad or Mom? (in the play, acts out family roles)
- Negotiates/self-dresses and undresses/dispute resolution
5. Other 3 year old development milestones
- Imagining many unknown images could be “monsters.”
- Considers oneself to be a whole individual having a body, intellect, and emotions.
- It’s possible that you’ll have trouble distinguishing between dreams and reality.
Common Illnesses and Vaccinations
Vaccinations should also be discussed with your doctor at this time. The following vaccines are commonly recommended by pediatricians:
- Hepatitis B
- Pneumococcal conjugate
- Inactivated poliovirus vaccines
- Haemophilus influenzae type b
The following are common ailments at this age:
- Common Flue
Make sure your child’s flu immunizations are up to date every year.
A well-balanced diet is always recommended. Don’t be afraid to expose your child to a range of meals so that they can develop accustomed to various flavors and sensations.
Don’t worry if your child appears to be small; size is controlled by heredity as well. What important is that your child is fit, healthy, and immune to illness.
When to talk to your doctor:
Take your child to the doctor if he is underweight for his age, appears malnourished, or isn’t eating enough. Your doctor will be the best person to diagnose these difficulties and aid you with your concerns if your child has underlying issues.
Republished with permission from: theAsianParent Singapore
Your child’s previous month: 43 months
Your child’s next month: 45 months
Additional information from Margaux Dolores