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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
EMOTION |
- Seems sure of himself/herself
- Needs controlled freedom
- Seems to be testing himself/herself
- Demonstrates defiant behaviors at times
- Takes pride in accomplishments
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
EMOTION |
- Seems sure of himself/herself
- Needs controlled freedom
- Seems to be testing himself/herself
- Demonstrates defiant behaviors at times
- Takes pride in accomplishments
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
EMOTION |
- Seems sure of himself/herself
- Needs controlled freedom
- Seems to be testing himself/herself
- Demonstrates defiant behaviors at times
- Takes pride in accomplishments
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
EMOTION |
- Seems sure of himself/herself
- Needs controlled freedom
- Seems to be testing himself/herself
- Demonstrates defiant behaviors at times
- Takes pride in accomplishments
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|