Knowing the various stages of your child’s development is essential for any parent. It helps you to understand what your child is capable of and what you need to do to help them reach their full potential. This article will provide an overview of the different stages of child development from birth to 19 years old.
Child Development Chart Birth to 19 Years – Overview
The following chart provides an overview of the different stages of child development from birth to 19 years old. It shows the typical physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development milestones that children should reach at each age.
| Age | Physical Development | Cognitive Development | Emotional Development | Social Development |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth to 3 Months | Head control, grasping objects, rolling over. | Exploring objects with eyes and hands, recognizing familiar faces. | Expressing needs through crying and smiling. | Responding to people with different emotions. |
| 4 to 7 Months | Sitting up, crawling, pulling up to stand. | Exploring objects, following objects with eyes, recognizing familiar voices. | Showing preference for certain people, responding to affection. | Imitating sounds, playing with others. |
| 8 to 12 Months | Standing, walking, climbing stairs. | Speaking simple words, sorting objects, understanding simple instructions. | Showing separation anxiety, expressing feelings through facial expressions. | Playing games, being affectionate with others. |
| 13 to 18 Months | Jumping, carrying objects, running. | Using simple sentences, following simple directions, playing make-believe games. | Expressing emotion, taking turns in play, cooperating with others. | Sharing, showing independence. |
| 19 to 24 Months | Kicking a ball, climbing, riding a tricycle. | Using two-word phrases, recognizing pictures, understanding simple stories. | Showing pride in accomplishments, expressing frustration. | Playing with others, resolving conflicts. |
| 2 to 3 Years | Throwing a ball, jumping, climbing stairs. | Following two-step instructions, counting to 10, understanding opposites. | Expressing feelings, understanding feelings of others. | Sharing toys, playing with others, doing simple puzzles. |
| 4 to 5 Years | Balancing, riding a bike, hopping. | Reciting alphabet, counting to 20, telling time. | Managing emotions, understanding consequences. | Making friends, playing cooperatively. |
| 6 to 7 Years | Catching a ball, climbing, hopping. | Reading simple books, writing simple sentences, solving simple math problems. | Understanding right and wrong, showing empathy. | Playing with peers, making friends. |
| 8 to 9 Years | Jumping rope, riding a bike. | Reading for understanding, telling time, writing simple stories. | Managing anger, understanding feelings of others. | Making friends, resolving conflicts. |
| 10 to 12 Years | Throwing a ball, riding a bike, swimming. | Reading for pleasure, understanding fractions, writing reports. | Managing emotions, understanding consequences. | Making friends, resolving conflicts. |
| 13 to 15 Years | Playing sports, jumping, running. | Solving math problems, writing essays, understanding abstract concepts. | Managing emotions, understanding consequences. | Making friends, resolving conflicts. |
| 16 to 19 Years | Playing sports, running, swimming. | Analyzing complex problems, writing research papers, understanding abstract concepts. | Managing emotions, understanding consequences. | Making friends, resolving conflicts. |
Physical Development
Physical development is one of the most visible forms of growth in a child’s early years. During the first year of life, babies start to develop their gross motor skills, such as head control, grasping objects, and rolling over. As they get older, they learn to sit up, crawl, and pull up to stand. During the teenage years, physical development continues, with children developing more complex motor skills such as playing sports, hopping, running, and swimming.
Cognitive Development
Cognitive development refers to a child’s ability to think and reason. During the early years, children start to explore their environment with their eyes and hands, recognize familiar faces and voices, and understand simple instructions. As they get older, they can recite the alphabet, count to twenty, tell time, and solve simple math problems. In the teenage years, cognitive development continues with the ability to analyze complex problems, write research papers, and understand abstract concepts.
Emotional Development
Emotional development is the ability to recognize, understand, and express emotions. During the early years, babies start to express their needs through crying and smiling and by the time they reach two to three years old they understand basic emotions such as joy, sadness, and anger. As they get older they learn to manage their emotions and understand the feelings of others.
Social Development
Social development is the ability to interact with and relate to other people. During the early years, babies start to respond to people with different emotions and by four to five months they are able to show preference for certain people and respond to affection. As they get older, children learn to share, play cooperatively, make friends, and resolve conflicts. In the teenage years, social development continues with the ability to make and maintain friendships, understand the consequences of their actions, and resolve conflicts.
Tips for Parents
As a parent, it is important to help your child reach their full potential. Here are some tips to help you support your child’s development:
- Create a safe and nurturing environment.
- Encourage physical activity and provide age-appropriate toys.
- Read to your child and encourage them to explore their interests.
- Teach them to recognize and express their emotions.
- Be a positive role model for them.
- Encourage them to interact with other children.
- Help them learn to make good decisions.
- Provide them with structure and stability.
Understanding the different stages of your child’s development is essential for any parent. The chart provided in this article is a great starting point to help you understand what your child is capable of and how you can help them reach their full potential. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can ensure that your child is on the right track for healthy development.