Your child’s development: What to expect Watching your child grow and develop is one of the most exciting parts of being a parent, especially in the early months when it seems every day brings a new skill. Knowing what to expect from your child will help you in many ways. If you’re worried she is not reaching some milestones, you can mention it to your doctor. As well, if you know what skills to expect at a specific age, you can be sure to take steps to keep your child safe (for example, keeping dangerous objects well out of reach before your baby starts crawling). Children’s develop skills several different areas: Gross motor: These are movements using the body’s large muscles and include sitting, standing, walking, running, keeping balance, and changing positions. Fine motor skills use the small muscles in the hands and fingers. Fine motorskills include —using hands to eat, draw, dress, play, and write—develop over time. They also also involve hand-eye coordination.
Language: Speaking, using body language and gestures, and understanding what others say. Cognitive: These are thinking skills—learning, understanding, problem-solving, reasoning, and remembering. Social: Connecting and having relationships with others, cooperating, and responding to the feelings of others. The table below is a general guide for development from birth to age 4. Remember, all children are different and develop skills at different times. It is normal for a child to be behind in some areas and ahead in others. If you have any concerns about your child’s development, or if he seems to be behind in more than one of the areas listed below, speak with your doctor. At the end of 3 months, most infants can… roll from front to back control head and neck movement when sitting raise their head and chest when lying on their stomach stretch out and kick their legs when lying on their stomach or back push down with their legs when feet are on a firm surface
bring their hands together open and shut their hands bring their hands to their mouth take swipes at a hanging object smile when you smile and on their own be expressive and communicate with their face and body copy some body movements and facial expressions recognize objects and people they know At the end of 8 months, most babies can… roll both ways (front to back, back to front) sit on their own support their whole weight on their legs control their upper body and arms hold and shake a hand toy move an object from hand to hand use their hands to explore an object reach for a person they know smile at themselves in a mirror respond when other people express emotion track a moving object, and find one that is partially hidden explore with hands and mouth struggle to get objects that are out of reach look from one object to another watch a falling object At 12 to 14 months, most babies can…
reach a sitting position without help crawl on hands and knees, or scoot around on their bum get from a sitting to a crawling or prone (on their stomach) position pull up to a standing position cruise, holding onto furniture stand briefly without support walk holding an adult’s hand, and maybe take 2 or 3 steps on their own start to climb stairs with help finger-feed using thumb and fore-finger put objects into a container (and take them out again) poke with an index finger begin to drink from a cup scribble with a crayon begin to use a spoon be shy or anxious with strangers have favourite toys and people test limits to actions and behaviours put out an arm or leg to help when being dressed come when called (respond to name) say “mama” or “dada” with at least one other word with meaning communicate a need without crying stop an action if you say “no” explore objects in different ways (shaking, banging, throwing, dropping)
know the names of familiar objects begin to explore cause and effect At 18 months, most babies can… climb stairs one at a time with help build a 3-block tower use a spoon well turn a few board-book pages at a time turn over a container to pour out the contents drink easily from a cup say 20 or more words follow a simple instruction remove some clothing on their own point to a named body part point to familiar objects when asked help with simple tasks use objects as tools fit related objects together (e.g., in a shape sorter) At 24 months, most toddlers can… pull a toy while walking carry a large toy or more than one toy while walking kick or throw a ball climb into and get down from chairs without help walk up and down stairs with help build a tower of 4 blocks or more complete a simple shape-matching puzzle turn board-book pages easily, one at a time start to put 2 words together
copy the behaviour of adults and other children get excited about being with other children play alongside other children At 3 years, most toddlers can… walk up and down stairs, alternating feet (one foot per stair) throw a ball overhead make up-and-down, side-to-side and circular lines with a pencil or crayon build a tower of more than 6 blocks hold a pencil in a writing position screw and unscrew jar lids or big nuts and bolts work latches and hooks snip with children’s scissors show spontaneous affection for playmates they know begin to take turns understand the concept of “mine” vs. “someone else’s” object to changes in routine speak in sentences and ask a lot of questions know their full name match an object in their hand or the room to a picture in a book include animals, dolls and people in make-believe play sort easily by shape and colour complete a puzzle with 3 or 4 pieces
understand the difference between 1 and 2 name body parts and colours At 4 years, most preschoolers can… hop and stand on 1 foot for up to 4 seconds kick a ball forward catch a bounced ball draw a person with 2 to 4 body parts use children’s scissors draw circles and squares do a finger-to-thumb sequence (e.g., Itsy-Bitsy Spider) look forward to new experiences cooperate with other children play “Mom” or “Dad” negotiate solutions to conflicts follow a 3-part instruction recall parts of a story make up and tell simple stories understand “same” and “different” enjoy rich fantasy play Source: Well Beings: A Guide to Health in Child Care, 3rd edition More information from the CPS: Read, speak, sing to your baby: How parents can promote literacy from birth Your baby’s brain: How parents can support healthy development Importance of Early Childhood Development: From the Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development