The Development of Children 0 – 19 Years of Age

Social
Language
Physical
Intellectual
Emotional
Behavioural
Moral
6 Weeks

Turns at familiar voice.

Coos
Cries with different tones

Smiles
Holds head steady when held prone.

Cries when hungry, tired or uncomfortable
Needs adult to meet needs

Sleeps most of the time

3 Months

Squeals with delight at simple interaction
Smiles more often

Makes vowel noises i.e. “ooo” and “eee”.

Lifts arms
Reaches for objects placed in front of them
Head steady most of time

Follows objects from side to side
Turns head to sound
.

Reacts more readily when interacted with and enjoys closeness of caregiver

Sleeps for less time

6 Months

Beginning to show stranger anxiety

Babbles more
Vocal play

Rolls from side to side
Holds objects and puts them to mouth
Sits with support
Holds own bottle

Notices difference in colour

Teething
Needs adult comfort

Plays peek a boo games
Cannot understand “no” or danger

9 Months

Watches others in play
Plays alongside
Apprehensive of unfamiliar faces

Babbles tunefully
Beginning to say double words i.e. mamam, dada

Sits unaided
Wriggles and begins to crawl
Reaches for objects with less risk to toppling
Pulls self-up at furniture

Looks for dropped toys
Knows they are there even when out of sight

Attachment with caregiver is strong
Cries when left

Copies others

18 Months

Passes toys to others to look at
Recognises self in mirror
Likes adult interaction
Enjoys companionship with other children

Speaks more recognisable words
Uses gestures pointing or pulling an adult to indicate what they want Walks unaided
Builds a tower of 3 or 4
Throws a large ball
Can grasp crayons/pencils with hand
Enjoys push and pull toys

Explores in a familiar environment
Recognises familiar songs
Places items in container and enjoys tipping them out
Likes repetition
Understands 1 simple instruction

Waves goodbye
May have a tantrum if things go wrong or if they are tired or frustrated
More curious about people and surroundings-needs watched to prevent dangerous situations

Demands mothering
Shows some physical aggression when frustrated
Asserts independence-refuses to cooperate with daily routing, protests when getting ready, fed etc.

2 Years

Watches and imitates others
Parallel play
Solitary play is often repetitive

2-3 words spoken in sentence
Names familiar objects Runs in a line
Walks up and down stairs holding a rail 2 feet per step

Enjoys imitating every day chores i.e. may feed a doll
Simple classification i.e. separates into groups
Attends to self-selected activities for longer
Bossy with care givers, makes demands and demands immediate compliance from adults Has tantrums over frustration
Shows signs of empathy
May appear over affectionate
Likes to know an adult is near by

Often defiant, shouts “no” when spoken to
Rustic, wants everything just so

3 -4 Years

Cooperative play
May have imaginary friends
Has best friends

Speaks in sentences
Asks questions constantly, where, when, why
Begins to use past and present tense

Toilet training starting
Can jump from low height
Can stand on tip toes
Catches a large ball
Enjoys shaping and moulding clay
Dresses with assistance
Begins using pincer grip

Problem solving skills developing
Likes to look at books and pretend to read
Recognises some numbers and familiar letters

Mood changes-happy 1 minute and crying the next
Independence developing
Shows pride in accomplishments and seeks adult attention

Knows when they have hurt others by their actions
Enjoys role play and make believe activities
Often appears selfish-tells tales on friends, not taking turns

Beginning to understand the meaning of “No” Does not yet understand right from wrong
5 – 7 Years

Being more selective when making friends
Likes entertaining and making people laugh
Plays cooperatively

Talks a lot
Has fluent speech but may contain some infantile