Ages and Stages of Child Development

Different Stages Of Child Development

The stages of the child’s development are the theoretical indicators of the growth and progress of a child. Every child is different, so will reach milestones at different times due to a difference in mind, interest, and inclination. The child’s first few initial years are very crucial as they truly frame the personality of the child.

Children grow in a range that gets influenced by many factors like:

• Behavior and attitude of parents
• Siblings, and friends
• Effect of technology
• Surroundings and environment.

The initial growth and progress of a child are quintessential for a complete and dynamic life. The speedy growth of the brain of the child starts shaping in the pre-natal stages and continues after birth as well. Read on to know about different stages of child development.

Newborn (0 to 1 Month)

During the time of the birth of the baby till about 1 month, the newborn baby will display actions which are reflex actions and a reaction to an external stimulus. Some of them are, a newborn baby opening the mouth when the baby is patted on the cheek, etc.  The baby at this stage has a very short vision.

Some activities are:

• Recognizing very few sounds or smells
• See only those who are quite close, like the parents or caretakers who face
• Cry or smile for indicating his needs.

Babies (1 to 12 Months)

The time between one to 12 months, is a time when the infant will show new growth and progress skills. A baby from three-to-six-month-old will be able to:

• Head control
• Play using both hands
• Start sitting without support
• Responds to name calling
• Chattering by six to nine months
• Crawling by nine to 12 months
• Make efforts to stand, but with support
• Picking toys and other objects with a stronghold 

Toddlers (13 to 24 Months)

Children between one to about 2 years are referred as toddlers. The toddlers love to follow routines as it gives them a sense of trust and comfort. Even though the toddlers are quite clumsy at times as they are still in the learning phase, they:

• Can still walk with a bit of help
• Try going up a staircase
• Start jumping in one position
• Try holding a crayon
• Make a circle even if not perfect
• Start enjoying playing by making towers
• Understand and follow simple directions
• Using very short sentences while they interact.

Pre-schoolers (2 to 4 Years)

The development of pre-schoolers starts around 3 to 5 years. This is mostly the time when the kids even start going to preschools in playgroups and nursery to enhance their social skills as well as learning a bit by play themes, rhymes, songs, and dance. They are made to do activities that refine their motor skills, making them more confident.

• Skills like opening and closing the door continuously.
• Throwing and scattering toys.
• Skipping and hopping.
• Is able to take care of his toilet needs.
• Dress and undress as well.
• Interact with long hours of conversation.

School Age Children (5 to 8 Years)

This stage is for kids between 6-12 years. At this stage, kids are more confident, responsible, and independent as well.

• They have great motor skills.
• Start developing secondary sexual features.
• Changes in the body and mind.
• Stress levels are high as the pressure builds both at home and school.
• Friends and peer interactions become important.
• They now want to play with members of the same sex.
• Role modeling to be like a father or mother also starts now.
• A change of interest in food, clothes, etc. 

Tweens (9 to 12 Years)

Pre-teens is  a period from 9 to 12 years, a time when many changes happen occur:

• A spurt in growth and adequate weight gain
• A time when they enter puberty
• Genitals start maturing
• The body will start changing
• Mood swings
• Irritation
• The voice becomes deep

Teenagers (13 to 18 Years)

The age between 13-18 years is that of teens, the toughest phase for both the teens and the parents, as they exhibit physical, intellectual, logical, and sexual changes. This is characterized by a few points:

• Girls start maturing faster, physically than boys.
• Teenagers start changing their distinctiveness and even their attitudes and ideas.
• They are conscious of their looks, and their careers.
• Complaints about food and taste occur at this stage.
• The teenagers start developing an interest in the opposite sex and look forward to spending more time with friends than family.

Thus, it can be said that all the ages and stages of child development are a big challenge and it is important that the parents understand and listen to their kids, offer them their time, and even teach them the importance of being successful and having a value in place. No wonder it is said: “Raising kids is not easy”.