# Activities

**4** **HELP YOUR CHILD LEARN AND GROW!**

### AGEYEARS

Try these fun and easy activities with your 4-year-old—a great way to have fun together and encourage your child’s healthy development.

#### What Doesn’t Belong

When you are setting the table for a meal, play the “what doesn’t belong” game. Add a small toy or other object next to the plate and eating utensils. Ask your child if they can tell you what doesn’t belong here. You can try this game any time of the day. For example, while brushing your child’s hair, set out a brush, comb, and a ball. **Developmental Areas: Problem Solving** **Materials Needed: Toy, ball, or other object**

#### Bucket Hoops

Play “bucket hoops.” Have your child stand about 6 feet away and throw a medium-size ball at a large bucket or trash can. For fun outdoors on a summer day, fill the bucket with water. **Developmental Areas: Gross Motor** **Materials Needed: Medium-size ball; Bucket or trash can**

#### What’s Your Name

Write your child’s name often. When your child finishes drawing a picture, be sure to put their name on it and say the letters as you write them down. If your child is interested, encourage them to name and/or copy the letters. Point out the letters in your child’s name throughout the day on cereal boxes, sign boards, and books. **Developmental Areas: Communication** **Materials Needed: Pencil and paper**

#### Welcome to My Shoe Store

On a rainy day, pretend to open a shoe store. Use old shoes, paper, pencils, and a chair to sit down and try on shoes. You can be the customer. Encourage your child to “write” your order down. Then, they can take a turn being the customer and practice trying on and buying shoes. **Developmental Areas: Personal-Social, Fine Motor** **Materials Needed: Pencil and paper; Shoes**

##### Want to learn about developmental milestones for your 4-year-old?

### Visit [https://bpub.fyi/CDC4year](https://bpub.fyi/CDC4year)  
Excerpted from ASQ®-3 User’s Guide by Jane Squires, Ph.D., Elizabeth Twombly, M.S., Diane Bricker, Ph.D., & LaWanda Potter, M.S. ©2009 Brookes Publishing. All Rights Reserved.