5 stages of child development

The 5 stages of child development are beautifully summarised and written by Help Me Grow as follows;⁠

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Cognitive Development

Cognitive development means how children think, explore and figure things out. It is the development of knowledge, skills, problem solving and dispositions, which help children to think about and understand the world around them. Brain development is part of cognitive development. As a parent, it is important to foster your child's cognitive development as soon as he/she is born because doing so provides the foundation for your child's success in school and later in life. For example, research shows that children who can distinguish sounds at six months of age are better at acquiring the skills for learning to read at four and five years of age. To promote your child's cognitive development, it is important that you actively engage in quality interactions on a daily basis. Examples include:

Talking with your baby and naming commonly used objects.
Letting your baby explore toys and move about.
Singing and reading to your baby.
Exposing your toddler to books and puzzles.
Expanding on your child's interests in specific learning activities. For example, your toddler might show an early interest in dinosaurs, so you can take him/her on a trip to the natural history museum to learn more about the time that these creatures roamed the earth.
Answering your child’s “why” questions.

Another way that you can foster your child's cognitive development is to provide him/her with choices and prompt him/her to make thoughtful decisions. You should also allow your child to explore different ways of solving problems. While you may want to provide some gentle guidance and encouragement, allow your child some time to figure out things, like a new puzzle. This may require some patience on your part, but it will ultimately help him/her to learn.

Social and Emotional Development

'Social and emotional development means how children start to understand who they are, what they are feeling and what to expect when interacting with others. It is the development of being able to:

Form and sustain positive relationships.
Experience, manage and express emotions.
Explore and engage with the environment.

Positive social and emotional development is important. This development influences a child’s self-confidence, empathy, the ability to develop meaningful and lasting friendships and partnerships, and a sense of importance and value to those around him/her. Children’s social and emotional development also influences all other areas of development.

Parents and caregivers play the biggest role in social/emotional development because they offer the most consistent relationships for their child. Consistent experiences with family members, teachers and other adults help children learn about relationships and explore emotions in predictable interactions.

To nurture your child’s social and emotional development, it is important that you engage in quality interactions like these on a daily basis, depending on the age of your child:

Be affectionate and nurturing: hold, comfort, talk and sing with your baby, toddler and child.
Help your baby experience joy in “give-and-take” relationships by playing games like “peek-a-boo.”
Provide your toddler with responsive care, letting them practice new skills while still providing hands-on help.
Support your child’s developing skills; help him/her, but don’t do everything for your child, even if it takes longer or is messy.
Teach social and emotional skills, such as taking turns, listening and resolving conflict.

Speech and Language Development

The first five years of life are a period of incredible growth in all areas of a child’s development. It’s a time of tremendous brain development that is very important for communication development. Babies begin communicating by crying, and then in a few months start babbling and imitating sounds. So much of a young child’s learning depends on having the ability to communicate with others, to begin to understand their world, to express their wishes and to ask those important questions about “why.”

NEWBORN

Communicates mainly by crying.
Gives clues about being hungry by smacking lips and rooting.
Yawns and arches back when overstimulated.

1 MONTH

Makes cooing sounds.
Cries to communicate.
Smacks lips and roots when hungry.
Yawns and arches back when overstimulated.

2 MONTHS

Makes cooing sounds.
Cries to communicate needs.
Turns head toward sounds.
Yawns and arches back when overstimulated.

3 MONTHS

Makes cooing sounds.
Chuckles in response to you.
Cries when hungry or uncomfortable.
Makes gurgling noises.

4 MONTHS

Babbles and imitates sounds.
Laughs aloud.
Cries in different ways when hungry, in pain or tired.

6 MONTHS

Coos and babbles more than two vowel sounds (“ah,” “eh,” “oh”), squeals and laughs.
Copies sounds that others make.
Responds to own name.
Begins to say consonant sounds like “b” and “m.”

9 MONTHS

Makes sounds like “bababa,” “dadada,” “mamama.”
Understands “no.”
Copies gestures such as nodding head for “yes” and shaking head for “no.”
Points at things.

12 MONTHS

Uses simple gestures like shaking head “no” or waving “bye-bye.”
Says “mama” and “dada.”
Tries to say words.
Responds to simple requests such as shaking head when asked, “are you all done?”

18 MONTHS

Says three or more single words.
Starts to imitate two-word phrases, such as “all done.”
Points to show what he/she wants.
Says “no” and shakes head.

2 YEARS

Uses two or three words together.
Points to things or pictures in a book when named.
Follows simple directions.
Knows names of familiar people, and body parts.

3 YEARS

Uses three-word sentences and carries on a conversation.
Talks clearly enough so that strangers can usually understand.
Follows two- or three-part instructions.
Says words like “I,” “me,” “you,” and “we” and uses some plurals.
Understands words such as “in,” “on” and “under.”
Says first name, age and gender.
Asks “why,” “where,” “what,” “when” and “how” questions.
Names a friend.

4 YEARS

Tells stories and recalls parts of stories.
Knows some basic rules of grammar and uses words correctly.
Sings a song or says a rhyme from memory.
Says first and last name.
Communicates clearly and speaks in complete sentences.

5 YEARS

Speaks very clearly, using sentences of five or more words.
Tells a story in complete sentences.
Uses future tense such as “I will be there.”
Says name and address.

Fine and Gross Motor Skill Development

The first five years of life are a period of incredible growth in all areas of a child's development. Motor development, also called physical development, means how young children move their bodies and hands. Learn more about motor development and when babies roll over, sit, crawl, stand and walk. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently launched Physical Developmental Delays: What to Look For, an interactive online tool, for parents of children ages 5 and under to use when they are concerned about their child’s motor development.

The tool lists physical activities by the age at which they are typically performed. If you are concerned that your child has not achieved a certain milestone or if there have been setbacks, you can click on boxes included next to activity descriptions. This creates a list – with space for notes – that can be taken to the next pediatrician appointment.