Developmental Milestones
We’ve made it easy to know any-age child’s
key developmental milestones. Using our
Head-to-Toe system, our child-experts included the major stages of development in
key categories such as Imagination, Language and Dexterity and more…broken-out in
simple-to-grasp 3-month blocks of time.
Below are the typical skills a child learns and develops for each age group. Please keep in mind that all children develop at different speeds. If your child is not able to do all of
these functions, do not be alarmed. If you believe that your child is behind in learning
and developing these skills please consult
your pediatrician.
Newborn
1 Year
2 Years
3 Years
3 Years
IMAGINATION |
- Uses one object to represent another
- Uses symbolic toys (barn) in pretend play
- Uses a doll/puppet to participate in play
|
EDUCATION |
- Completes simple interlocking puzzles
- Begins to recognize numbers
- Counts 1 to 3
- Matches objects to pictures
|
LANGUAGE |
- Uses attributes (shape, size, color, texture, spatial relations)
- Child talks for dolls/animals during play
- Begins to assign desires and feelings to dolls
|
DEXTERITY |
- Traces a horizontal line
- Draws a cross
- Holds pencil with proper writing grasp
|
LOCOMOTION |
- Starts to run fast
- Stands on one foot for 3 seconds
|
SOCIAL |
- Plays games with peers
- Has imaginary friends
|
EMOTION |
- Resists change less
- Has a stronger sense of personal identity
- Likes to conform
- Has a more easy going attitude
- Is affectionate towards parents
|
3 1/4 Years
IMAGINATION |
- Uses blocks/sandbox for imaginative play
- Acts out themes of observed events
- Takes on reciprocal roles (child talks as parent of doll)
- Child assigns roles to other children
|
EDUCATION |
- Understands rules of simple games
- Thinks ahead "what if.."
|
LANGUAGE |
- Uses metacognitive language ("He said","I know")
- Uses indirect requests ("mommy let's me have ___")
- Changes speech depending on listener
|
DEXTERITY |
- Unbuttons several buttons
- Cuts paper into 2 pieces
- Copies letters
- Draws human figures with 2 parts (head & legs)
|
LOCOMOTION |
- Walks forward on a 4" width line without stepping off the line
- Stands on one foot for 5 seconds
|
SOCIAL |
- Understands when tasks are finished
- Becomes curious about other children's bodies
|
EMOTION |
- Is less resistive to change
- Has a stronger sense of personal identity
- Likes to conform
- Has a more easy going attitude
- Is affectionate towards parents
|
3 1/2 Years
IMAGINATION |
- Builds 3-dimensional structures with blocks
- Uses planned schemas/scripts
|
EDUCATION |
- Recognizes the concept of quantity
- Sorts objects based on physical similarity
- Discriminates between same and different
|
LANGUAGE |
- Sequences 3 pictures in the correct order
- Remains on topic in conversation with adults/peers
- Expands ability to tell a story
|
DEXTERITY |
- Traces and copies shapes
- Catches a ball without securing it against his/her chest
|
LOCOMOTION |
- Becomes an agile climber
- Hops on one foot
|
SOCIAL |
- Defends ownership of property verbally
|
EMOTION |
- Learns autonomy vs. shame
- Learns initiative (imagines, leads & follows others) vs. guilt (fearful, remains on fringes of groups, relies unduly on adults)
- Shows jealousy towards same-sex parent
|
3 3/4 Years
IMAGINATION |
- Uses multiple roles for themselves/dolls
- Becomes interested in board games
- Follows simple rules during games
|
EDUCATION |
- Learns sequencing of events
- Counts 1 to 10 verbally
|
LANGUAGE |
- Hypothesizes ("what would happen if…")
- Uses language to invent scenes in play
- Uses modals (may, can, would…)
- Uses conjunctions (and, but, if…)
|
DEXTERITY |
- Buttons and unbuttons
- Throws ball forward consistently hitting a target
- Snips on a line with scissors
- Strings small beads together
- Folds paper imitatively
|
LOCOMOTION |
- Climbs stairs by placing only one foot on each step at a time without support from wall or rail
- Hops forward on one foot, then forward on the other foot
- Stands on one foot without support
|
SOCIAL |
- Sits quietly for 5 minutes to hear stories
|
EMOTION |
- Learns autonomy vs. shame
- Learns initiative (imagines, leads & follows others) vs. guilt (fearful, remains on fringes of groups, relies unduly on adults)
- Shows jealousy towards same-sex parent
|
4 Years
4 Years
IMAGINATION |
- Uses language to set the scene
- Integrates parts of known scenes with new ideas
- Coordinates several scripts simulatneously
- Engages in collaborative play with peers
- Becomes competitive
- Commonly has imaginary playmates
|
EDUCATION |
- Plans constructive structures
- Simple spelling and letter recognition
- Counts 1 to 10 objects
- Groups like objects together (food, shapes)
- Identifies what is missing
- Establishes one-to-one correspondence (3 napkins to 3 plates)
- Begins to make patterns with colors, then shapes
- Continues to learn through experience and the senses
- Draw simple shapes and draw a person with at least four body parts
- Starts to recognize patterns among objects — round things, soft things, animals
|
LANGUAGE |
- Uses relational terms (first, next, then…)
- Continues to expand ability to tell stories
- Uses increasingly complex sentences
- Easily composes sentences of four or five words
- Will ask the most questions of any age
- Can control volume of voice for periods of time if reminded
- Speaks clearly enough for strangers to understand
|
DEXTERITY |
- Throws a ball so it bounces once and then hits a wall
- Catches a small ball using only his/her hands
- Draws a square and can connect dots by drawing a line
- Cuts out a square and a circle printed on paper
- Grasps marker between thumb and pad of index finger
- Draws recognizable pictures
- Can brush teeth, comb hair, wash, and dress with little assistance
- Gains weight at the rate of about six grams per day
- Grows to a height that is double the length at birth
- Can turn sharp corners when running
|
LOCOMOTION |
- Completes a forward roll
- Hops 3 feet on 1 foot, switches feet and hops back
- Jumps forward 36 inches and jumps over a string held 10" high
- Walk down steps, alternating feet
- Moves forward and backward with agility
|
SOCIAL |
- Conforms to group decisions
- Cooperates with teacher
- Takes turns in games
- Sits for 10 minutes to hear story
- Prefers to play with gender appropriate activities
- Shares, and cooperates
- Your child will often put his/her arm around a friend, and understands when a friend is upset
- However, still lacks a sense of loyalty to friendships
|
EMOTION |
- Seems sure of himself/herself
- Needs controlled freedom
- Seems to be testing himself/herself
- Demonstrates defiant behaviors at times
- Takes pride in accomplishments
- Tries to be very independent
- Your child is developing an awareness of feelings; able to understand and appreciate the feelings of others, as well as express her own
|
4 1/4 Years
IMAGINATION |
- Uses language to set the scene
- Integrates parts of known scenes with new ideas
- Coordinates several scripts simulatneously
- Engages in collaborative play with peers
- Becomes competitive
- Imagines that many unfamiliar images may be "monsters"
|
EDUCATION |
- Plans constructive structures
- Simple spelling and letter recognition
- Counts 1 to 10 objects
- Groups like objects together (food, shapes)
- Identifies what is missing
- Establishes one-to-one correspondence (3 napkins to 3 plates)
- Begins to make patterns with colors, then shapes
- Thinks literally; starting to develop logical thinking
- Show difficulty following through on a task and become easily sidetracked
|
LANGUAGE |
- Uses relational terms (first, next, then…)
- Continues to expand ability to tell stories
- Uses increasingly complex sentences
- Uses a 1,500-word vocabulary; speaks in relatively complex sentences ("mommy opened the door and the dog ran out.")
- Like to sing simple songs and do finger plays and rhymes
- Begin to recognize meaningful words and will try to write their own names
- Understands the concepts of "same" and "different"
|
DEXTERITY |
- Throws a ball so it bounces once and then hits a wall
- Catches a small ball using only his/her hands
- Draws a square and can connect dots by drawing a line
- Cuts out a square and a circle printed on paper
- Grasps marker between thumb and pad of index finger
- Draws recognizable pictures
- Uses table utensils skillfully
- Use small pegs and board
- Sits with knees crossed
|
LOCOMOTION |
- Completes a forward roll
- Hops 3 feet on 1 foot, switches feet and hops back
- Jumps forward 36 inches and jumps over a string held 10" high
- Running is more controlled; can start, stop, and turn
- Throws ball overhand
|
SOCIAL |
- Conforms to group decisions
- Cooperates with teacher
- Takes turns in games
- Sits for 10 minutes to hear story
- Prefers to play with gender appropriate activities
- May still wet the bed (normal)
- Your four-year-old loves to whisper and tell secrets
- Attends to own toilet needs
|
EMOTION |
- Seems sure of himself/herself
- Needs controlled freedom
- Seems to be testing himself/herself
- Demonstrates defiant behaviors at times
- Takes pride in accomplishments
- May sometimes lie to protect herself, but understands the concept of lying
- Lacks moral concepts of right and wrong
|
4 1/2 Years
IMAGINATION |
- Uses language to set the scene
- Integrates parts of known scenes with new ideas
- Coordinates several scripts simulatneously
- Engages in collaborative play with peers
- Becomes competitive
- Enjoys pretending and has a vivid imagination
- Understands, mostly, the difference between fantasy and reality
|
EDUCATION |
- Plans constructive structures
- Simple spelling and letter recognition
- Counts 1 to 10 objects
- Groups like objects together (food, shapes)
- Identifies what is missing
- Establishes one-to-one correspondence (3 napkins to 3 plates)
- Begins to make patterns with colors, then shapes
- Begins to grasp that pictures and symbols can represent real objects
- Is able to distinguish between two objects based on simple criteria such as size and weight
- Learn best when they participate in hands-on, tactile and real experiences
- May use words that aren't fully understood
- Asks meanings of words
- Use verbal commands to claim things
|
LANGUAGE |
- Uses relational terms (first, next, then…)
- Continues to expand ability to tell stories
- Uses increasingly complex sentences
|
DEXTERITY |
- Throws a ball so it bounces once and then hits a wall
- Catches a small ball using only his/her hands
- Draws a square and can connect dots by drawing a line
- Cuts out a square and a circle printed on paper
- Grasps marker between thumb and pad of index finger
- Draws recognizable pictures
- Ability to color and draw is improving but a child’s short, chubby fingers can still make drawing within the lines a challenge
- Manage to ride and steer a bike equipped with training wheels
|
LOCOMOTION |
- Completes a forward roll
- Hops 3 feet on 1 foot, switches feet and hops back
- Jumps forward 36 inches and jumps over a string held 10" high
- Kicks ball forward
|
SOCIAL |
- Conforms to group decisions
- Cooperates with teacher
- Takes turns in games
- Sits for 10 minutes to hear story
- Prefers to play with gender appropriate activities
- Talks about personal family matters to others
- Your child delights in anything new; new activities satisfy part of their questioning nature
|
EMOTION |
- Seems sure of himself/herself
- Needs controlled freedom
- Seems to be testing himself/herself
- Demonstrates defiant behaviors at times
- Takes pride in accomplishments
- The four-year-old is temperamental; has extreme mood changes
- Views self as a whole person involving body, mind and feeling
- Expresses anger verbally rather than physically
|
4 3/4 Years
IMAGINATION |
- Uses language to set the scene
- Integrates parts of known scenes with new ideas
- Coordinates several scripts simulatneously
- Engages in collaborative play with peers
- Becomes competitive
|
EDUCATION |
- Plans constructive structures
- Simple spelling and letter recognition
- Counts 1 to 10 objects
- Groups like objects together (food, shapes)
- Identifies what is missing
- Establishes one-to-one correspondence (3 napkins to 3 plates)
- Begins to make patterns with colors, then shapes
- Understands number and space concepts — more, less, bigger, in, under, behind
- Grasps the concepts of past, present, and future but does not understand the duration of time
- Begins to copy some capital letters
|
LANGUAGE |
- Uses relational terms (first, next, then…)
- Continues to expand ability to tell stories
- Uses increasingly complex sentences
- Can use the past tense
- Has a clearer understanding of words and can correctly use such words as” under," "on," "above," and "below."
- May be starting to show an interest in reading
- Can retell a three to four step sequence in a story or directive
- Uses correct grammar most of the time
|
DEXTERITY |
- Throws a ball so it bounces once and then hits a wall
- Catches a small ball using only his/her hands
- Draws a square and can connect dots by drawing a line
- Cuts out a square and a circle printed on paper
- Grasps marker between thumb and pad of index finger
- Draws recognizable pictures
- May not be able to tie shoelaces
- String small beads and can begin to do some simple patterns
|
LOCOMOTION |
- Completes a forward roll
- Hops 3 feet on 1 foot, switches feet and hops back
- Jumps forward 36 inches and jumps over a string held 10" high
- Begin to coordinate movements to climb on jungle gyms and begin trying to jump rope
|
SOCIAL |
- Conforms to group decisions
- Cooperates with teacher
- Takes turns in games
- Sits for 10 minutes to hear story
- Prefers to play with gender appropriate activities
- Your child will like to listen to stories as well as tell their own
- Negotiates solutions to conflicts
|
EMOTION |
- Seems sure of himself/herself
- Needs controlled freedom
- Seems to be testing himself/herself
- Demonstrates defiant behaviors at times
- Takes pride in accomplishments
- Can feel jealousy
- Is rebellious if expectations are excessive
- Developing a sense of humor
|
5 - 8 Years
5 Years
SOCIAL AND
EMOTIONAL
DEVELOPMENT |
- has a good sense of humor, and enjoys sharing jokes and laughter with adults
- less fearful of the world than toddlers because understands the world better
- sometimes critical of other children and embarrassed by own mistakes
- seeks adult approval
- can understand relationships among people and similarities and differences in other families
- sometimes needs to get away and be alone
- enjoys collecting things
- understands and enjoys both giving and receiving
- understands and respects rules - often asks permission
- takes turns and shares (sometimes)
- plays contentedly and independently without constant supervision
- begins to have a very basic understanding of right and wrong
- likes to feel grown up; boasts about self to younger, less capable children
- prefers company of 1 or 2 children at a time; may become bossy or sulky when others join in
- notices when another child is angry or sad - more sensitive to feelings of others
- likes to make own decisions
- likes to try new things and take risks
- sometimes can be very bossy
- uses swear words or "bathroom words" to get attention
- often excludes other children in play - best friends only
- carries on conversations with other children and adults
- likes to test muscular strength and motor skills, but is not emotionally ready for competition
- expresses anger and jealousy physically
- can take turns and share, but doesn't always want to
- often fears loud noises, the dark, animals, and some people
- still confuses fantasy with reality sometimes
- organizes other children and toys for pretend play
- invents games with simple rules
- distinguishes right from wrong, honest from dishonest, but does not recognize intent
- mimics adults and seeks praise
- plays with both boys and girls but prefers the same sex
- wants to conform; may criticize those who do not
- Accepting the validity of other points of view (while possibly not understanding them)
- Strongly identifying with the parent of the same sex
- Chooses own friends
- Mental reasoning improves; will argue and link cause and effect. "I won’t talk to Ted because he hit me"
- Play becomes more innovative and organized. Will invent simple games, make teams, and assign roles.
- Understands relations like parents, uncle, aunt, etc.
- Have distinct ways of playing according to gender. Most 5-year-old boys play in rough or physically active ways, whereas girls of the same age are more likely to engage in social play.
|
PHYSICAL
DEVELOPMENT |
- weight: 31-57 pounds
- height: 39-48 inches
- requires approximately 1,700 calories daily
- sleeps 10-11 hours at night
- may begin to loose baby teeth
- able to dress self with little assistance
- Able to skip
- throws ball overhead
- catches bounced balls
- Climb with confidence
- Jump rope
- Can jump for distances of over 2 feet
- Can do simple gymnastics
- rides a tricycle skillfully; may show interest in riding a bicycle with training wheels
- balances on either foot for 5-10 seconds
- uses a fork and knife well
- cuts on a line with scissors
- left or right hand dominance is established
- jumps over low objects
- can run, gallop, and tumble
- can skip and run on tiptoe
- can jump rope
- interested in performing tricks like standing on head, performing dance steps
- capable of learning complex body coordination skills like swimming, ice or roller skating, and riding bicycles
- may be able to tie shoelaces
- may be able to copy simple designs and shapes
- hand preference is established
- grasps pencil like an adult
- colors within lines
- cuts and pastes simple shapes
- Developing increased coordination
- Can climb up and down stairs without using handrail
- Feeds himself with minimum spilling. Becomes more dexterous with spoon, fork and knife
|
INTELLECTUAL
DEVELOPMENT |
- understands about 13,000 words
- uses 5-8 words in a sentence
- likes to argue and reason; use words like "because"
- knows basic colors like red, yellow, blue, green, orange
- able to memorize address and phone number
- understands that stories have a beginning, middle, and end
- able to remember stories and repeat them
- enjoys creating and telling stories
- understands that books are read from left to right, top to bottom
- enjoys riddles and jokes
- draws pictures that represent animals, people, and objects
- enjoys tracing or copying letters
- can place objects in order from shortest to tallest
- can understand and use comparative terms like big, bigger, or biggest
- sorts objects by size
- identifies some letters of the alphabet and a few numbers (if taught)
- understands "more," "less," and "same"
- counts up to 10 objects
- recognizes categories ("These are all animals; these are all toys.")
- understands before and after, above, and below
- block and dramatic play is much more elaborate and complex
- has good attention span and can concentrate well
- is project minded - plans buildings, play scenarios, and drawings
- interested in cause and effect
- can understand time concepts like yesterday, today, and tomorrow
- speaks fluently; correctly uses plurals, pronouns, tenses
- understands and names opposites
- thinking is still naïve; doesn't use adult logic
- Identifying coins
- Gives age
- Can copy an adult’s writing
- Writes name
- Fluent speech with few infantile substitutions in speech
- Talks about the past, present and future with a good sense of time
- Know what household objects are used for, such as money, food, or appliances
- Understand relationships between objects, such as "the boy who is jumping rope."
- Use the future tense, such as "Let's go to the zoo tomorrow!"
|
6 Years
MOTOR
DEVELOPMENT |
- Often appears less coordinated than at 5 years b/c they are constantly on the go
- able to learn to ride a bicycle
- can move in time with music or a beat
- Very interested in climbing and balancing
- Will attempt activities that exceed their capabilities
- Learns to skip with rope
- Will tie shoelaces without help
- Hand and eye coordination becomes very improved
- Child will be more in control of his or her body
- Child may start to loose baby teeth as permanent teeth start emerging
- Child will be able to master buttons
- Child will show a preference to their right or left hand
- Child will be able to write the alphabet, though the letters may not be neat or precise
- Child is usually worn out from a day of play and learning and goes to bed easier. However, many children in this age group do not like being awakened in the morning and may be fussy
|
LANGUAGE &
THINKING
DEVELOPMENT |
- moving toward abstract thinking
- develops reasoning skills
- shifts from learning through observation and experience to learning via language and logic
- wants it all; has difficulty making choices
- Copies a diamond
- Knows right from left and number of fingers
- Draws with precision and to detail
- Developing reading skills well
- May write independently
- Speech should be completely intelligible and socially useful
- Can pronounce majority of the sounds of his own language
- Talk fluently and with confidence
- Can repeat a sentence that is a least 6 or more words long
- Attention span starts to increase
- Memory will increase often remembering favorite nursery rhymes
- He or she will describe actions, events and enjoy telling stories, frequently remember fine details
- Will understand categories well, such as, “A dog is an animal”.
- Should be able to tell one a rather connected story about a picture, seeing relationships between objects and happenings
- Child has a broader sense of right and wrong
- Child shows a strong desire to learn
- Child can put events in order, such as beginning, middle, and end
- Child knows their whole name, address and birthday
- Child is able to differentiate between fact and make believe
- Child understands directions, such as under, over, around and through
- Child learns better when he or she is kept on a routine
|
SOCIAL &
EMOTIONAL
DEVELOPMENT |
- grows more independent, yet feels less secure
- craves affection from parents and teachers
- friendships are unstable; can be unkind to peers
- needs to win and may change rules to suit herself
- may be hurt by criticism, blame, or punishment
- can be rigid, demanding, and unable to adapt
- increasingly aware that others have may have different feelings
- Eager for fresh experiences
- Is now able to hold a conversation and will enjoy talking with friends and family
- Starts to show more interest in adults and peers outside of the family
- Will tell you what he or she is going to do
- Will show signs of separating from parents easier
- Will start to show more interest in taking care of his or her self alone without help
- Cleans his or her room, including making the bed
- May pack school bag, including making their own lunch
- Will handle most bathroom needs on their own, such as going to the toilet, cleaning his or her self, etc.
- He or she will enjoy constructive and creative playing with friends, such as digging, building models, tunneling in the sand and other large scale constructive play things
- Likes board games, crafts and other constructive projects
- Child’s mood swings are more stabilized as they settle into childhood and become comfortable with who they are
- Child shows protective tendencies toward pets, younger siblings, and even parents
- Child has the ability to understand when he or she has done something wrong and that they may need to be punished
|
7 Years
MOTOR
DEVELOPMENT |
- hand-eye coordination is well developed
- has good balance
- can execute more complicated gymnastics such as a cartwheel
- Activities become more sport specific
- Is vigorous, full of energy, and generally restless, e.g., foot tapping, wiggling, being unable to sit still
- Eats with fingers and talks with mouth full
- Commonly suffers more colds, sore throats, and other illness, because of exposure at school
- Lose about four baby teeth each year. These are replaced by permanent teeth
- Are becoming more coordinated in activities that use the large muscles, such as swimming or climbing
- Use safety scissors easily
- Can draw a triangle
- Draw a person with 12 parts
- Use a pencil to write their name
|
LANGUAGE &
THINKING
DEVELOPMENT |
- uses a vocabulary of several thousand words
- demonstrates a longer attention span
- uses serious, logical thinking; is thoughtful and reflective
- able to understand reasoning and make the right decisions
- can tell time; knows the days, months, and seasons
- can describe points of similarity between two objects
- begins to grasp that letters represent the sounds that form words
- able to solve more complex problems
- individual learning style becomes more clear-cut
- learns to distinguish between reality and fantasy
- solves problems by initiating and creating
- May develop stuttering when under stress
- Wants all of everything and finds it difficult to make choices
- Begins to have organized, continuous memories
- most children learn to read and write, although some don't until after age 7
- Begin to show a preference for learning style. For example, some children like hands-on activities, such as a science experiment with color. Others like to work independently and quietly, such as practicing printing
- Can solve simple math problems using objects (such as counting beads)
- Consider issues and problems using only one factor at a time
- Tend to talk a lot in situations where they are comfortable
- Pronounce words correctly. For example, most children do not substitute the sound "fr" for "thr" in words like "through."
- Are becoming better readers, but sounding out vowels often can still be difficult
- Still have some difficulty with basic spelling
|
SOCIAL &
EMOTIONAL
DEVELOPMENT |
- desires to be perfect and is quite self-critical
- worries more; may have low self-confidence
- tends to complain; has strong emotional reactions
- understands the difference between right and wrong
- takes direction well; needs punishment only rarely
- avoids and withdraws from adults
- is a better loser and less likely to place blame
- waits for her turn in activities
- starts to feel guilt and shame
- Initiate discussions about right vs. wrong.
- Provide opportunities for independent decision-making
- becomes comfortable with own gender identity
- makes connections and distinctions between feelings, thoughts, and actions
- May blame mother for anything that goes wrong. Male children will identify strongly with father
- Child doesn't like being kissed in public, especially boys
- Perpetual activity makes meals difficult
- May help out with the housework, such as vacuuming or washing dishes
- Most kids understand that death is final and that they, too, will die one day - although they are often more worried about parents dying
- Overcome some fears they had when they were younger, but still can be terrified of the unknown
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