Final answer:
A four-year-old child's improved coordination can be attributed to neurological development, physical growth, and increased bilateral coordination. Engaging in active play and the development of finer motor skills are key contributors to this stage of development.
Step-by-step explanation:
Coordination of Body Sides in a Four-Year-Old
A four-year-old child who has begun coordinating the two sides of her body more efficiently is experiencing typical developmental motor skills improvement. This coordination is a result of ongoing neurological development and physical growth. As children grow, they develop finer motor skills and improved bilateral coordination, allowing them to perform activities that require both sides of the body to work together harmoniously. By the age of four, children typically have achieved better balance, can run, climb stairs, and have improved hand-eye coordination, allowing them to engage in activities like drawing with a crayon, building blocks, and dressing with minimal assistance.
Motor coordination is also influenced by cognitive and psychosocial factors. At four, children engage more in play with others, which helps further their motor skills as they interact, share, and cooperate in various physical activities. Their growing autonomy and ability to initiate tasks contribute to practicing and refining these bilateral movements such as balancing on one foot or catching a ball, as they become more involved in physical play and begin to master new skills like riding a bicycle with training wheels.
Parents and caregivers play a role in supporting this development by providing opportunities for active play and for the child to practice new skills. Ensuring a safe environment where the child can explore physical movements is also crucial in supporting their motor coordination. It's essential to remember that each child develops at their own pace, and while most children will follow a typical developmental trajectory, slight variations are normal.