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Stages of Child Development by Age

The stages of child development are milestones theoretically created to indicate how an average child develops physically and mentally. These milestones might be achieved earlier or later by some children, and still be considered normal. However, they serve as a measuring stick to monitor a child's developmental process.

  1. Newborn to 9 Months

    • Newborn babies up to the age of 1 month are asocial and completely helpless. While they sleep most of the day, they are able to make some sensory distinctions, including sight, sound, taste, smell, touch, pain and temperature. By 3 months, babies can perceive colors and begin oral exploration with coos and grunting. They are beginning to be more social, smiling and fixating on faces. Physically, they typically are able to lift their head when placed on their stomach. By 6 months, most babies babble, making most vowel sounds and approximately half of the consonants. They have control over their head and arm movements and are able to purposefully grab items and roll over. By this age, babies recognize their mother and can distinguish between familiar faces and those of strangers. As babies reach 9 months of age, they are strongly attached to their mother and have increased motor control, including being able to sit up without support and crawl.

    10 months to 2 Years

    • As children reach their first birthday, their motor control improves rapidly. They can control their legs and feet, stand, creep, and develop the fine motor skills of appositioning the thumb and forefinger. These improved motor skills often result in babies being able to wave goodbye as well as play pat-a-cake. This is also the age where children begin to say their first word or two, and to understand simple commands and the word "no." By the age of 18 months, they typically can creep up stairs, walk for up to 20 minutes, and draw lines with crayons. They often have a fear of being separated from their mother at this age, but they can obey most commands and feed themselves. By 2, toddlers can run, kick a ball, have a vocabulary of approximately 200 words, and most have the ability to control their bladder and bowel movements.

    2 Years to 5 Years

    • Between the ages of 2 and 3 years, toddlers can jump off a step, color, ride a tricycle and build a cube tower nine to ten cubes high. They also use short sentences. Emotionally they fear separation, can be possessive about toys, resist parental directions and can be indecisive. By 4, children are more independent and begin to enjoy cooperative play with other children. Four-year-olds typically can stand on one leg and draw a circle and a cross. They have vivid imaginations, leading to both imaginary friends and imaginary fears. At 5, children are very self-sufficient, even being able to dress themselves. They can skip, talk clearly, and have mastered basic grammar, with a vocabulary of more than 2,000 words. They feel pride in their accomplishments. They prefer to play with other children and prefer gender-appropriate toys and activities.

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