Children must progress through various stages of growth. Just as a child crawls before walking, the same holds true for other developmental milestones. Nurture the child’s interest in the world
around him, but don’t rush your child.
 

Here are just a few examples of the various ages and stages of childhood (click each stage for more information of expected development).
 

Infant (0-6 Months)
Infant (7 – 12 Months)
Toddler (12 – 18 Months)
Toddler (18 – 36 Months)
3-Year-Old
4-Year-Old
5-Year-Old
The Primary Years (5 – 8)
The Middle Years (9-12)

Infant (0 – 6 Months)
• Lifts head off surface when on stomach.
• Develops head control.
• Displays Landau Reflex (ability to arch back if held under stomach).
• Rolls back and forth.
• Kicks frequently, puts feet in mouth.
• Grasps, with entire hand.
• Follows object with eyes, vertically and horizontally.
• Coos, gurgles and squeals when awake.
• Wider range of cries to express hunger, pain or distress.
• Smiles spontaneously.
• Recognizes parent, distinguishes male/female and soothing/harsh voices.
• Begins to sleep through the night.

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Infant (7 – 12 Months)
• Sits alone without support.
• May begin to crawl.
• Supports weight when held standing.
• Can pull up to standing position.
• Can walk while holding on to furniture.
• By 12 months, may be able to take a few steps.
• Pincer grasp develops – using forefinger and thumb to grasp objects.
• Can finger feed and sip from a cup.
• Babbles or jabbers deliberately to get social interaction started.
• Understands simple directions.
• Understands cause and effect in interaction.
• Explores environment independently.
• Displays separation anxiety.

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Toddler (12 – 18 Months)
• Sharing is difficult.
• Likes to imitate.
• Has rapid mood shifts.
• Physical growth slows down.
• Self-help skills begin to develop.
• Enjoys object-hiding activities.
• Helps pick up and put away toys.
• Speech is 25 percent intelligible.
• Uses gestures such as pointing to gain adult’s attention.

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Toddler (18 – 36 Months)
• Affectionate; offers hugs and kisses.
• Plays well alongside others or alone.
• Not very flexible; says ‘no’ a great deal and is possessive of playthings.
• Enjoys talking about pictures; likes repetition.
• Still developing bladder and bowel control. Likes to help dress self; still puts both feet into one pant leg; puts shirt on backward.

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3-Year-Old
• Understands and follows simple commands and directions.
• Shares more easily.
• Has imaginary playmates.
• Uses 300 to 1,000 words.
• Enjoys playing near other children.
• Motor ability increases.
• Growth is slow and even.
• Can carry a container of liquid with little spillage.
• Has achieved daytime bladder control.
• Likes to look at books; enjoys age appropriate stories.
• Attempts to draw circles, squares and some letters.

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4-Year-Old
• Appetite fluctuates.
• Likes privacy when toileting.
• Dresses self with some assistance.
• Plays cooperatively with groups of two or three. Friends are important.
• Seeks adult approval and attention.
• Has a vivid imagination, likes to exaggerate and boasts about possessions and family.
• Can be demanding.
• Likes to test limits, asks ‘why’ and ‘how’ a lot.

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5-Year-Old
• Takes full responsibility for own toileting; dresses self completely.
• Plays well with other children.
• Is eager to learn new things; boastful.
• Hand dominance is fairly established.
• Demonstrates fair control of writing tools; reproduces shapes and letters.
• Has good motor skills.

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The School-Age Years
Many changes occur between the ages of 5 and 12. Children change and grow at different rates. Understanding stages of development can help create appropriate expectations of children. Children interact with the environment to construct knowledge. They seek stimulation and are active learners. They learn best when they enjoy what they are doing. Here are just a few examples of the stages of development during the primary and middle years.

The Primary Years (5 – 8)
• Begins to lose baby teeth.
• Enjoys symbolic play, fantasy.
• Gains about 7 pounds and almost 2 inches per year!
• May have muscle aches because muscle growth can’t keep up with bones.
• May be clumsy because bones are growing at different rates.
• Has well formed motor development and can be precise in many areas.
• Enjoys doing arts and crafts projects that produce a finished product.
• Can apply grammatical rules.
• Enjoys using slang and ‘secret’ languages.
• Enjoys humor (jokes and riddles).
• Greatly increases interaction with friends.
• Begins reciprocal friendships, based on give and take.
• Up to about 8, believes rules come from authority and cannot change.
• May make decisions based on self-interests.
• Needs encouragement, praise and activities that build self-esteem.

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The Middle Years (9-12)
• Experiences growth spurts around 10 for girls and around 13 for boys, so most girls are taller.
• Gains physical strength and agility.
• Understands that rules have a purpose and can be changed.
• Develops more adult language.
• May spend less time with family and more time with peers.
• Plays and interacts more with same sex companions.
• May be influenced by peer pressure.
• May make decisions to conform to expectations set by parents and society.
• May feel under stress or pressure.
• Has a longer attention span.
• Wants to succeed.

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