Your childs development: What to expect

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Your childs development: What to expect

Watching your child grow and develop is one of the most exciting parts of being a parent,
especially in the early months when it seems every day brings a new skill.
Knowing what to expect from your child will help you in many ways. If youre worried she is
not reaching some milestones, you can mention it to your doctor. As well, if you know what
skills to expect at a specific age, you can be sure to take steps to keep your child safe (for
example, keeping dangerous objects well out of reach before your baby starts crawling).
Childrens develop skills several different areas:

Highlights
All children are different
and develop skills at
different times.
It is normal for a child to
be behind in some
areas and ahead in
others.

Gross motor: These are movements using the bodys large muscles and include
sitting, standing, walking, running, keeping balance, and changing positions.
If youre worried your
child is not reaching
Fine motor skills use the small muscles in the hands and fingers. Fine motorskills
some milestones,
include using hands to eat, draw, dress, play, and writedevelop over time. They
mention it to your
also also involve hand-eye coordination.
doctor.
Language: Speaking, using body language and gestures, and understanding what
others say.
Cognitive: These are thinking skillslearning, understanding, problem-solving, reasoning, and remembering.
Social: Connecting and having relationships with others, cooperating, and responding to the feelings of others.

The table below is a general guide for development from birth to age 4. Remember, all children are different and develop
skills at different times. It is normal for a child to be behind in some areas and ahead in others.
If you have any concerns about your childs development, or if he seems to be behind in more than one of the areas listed
below, speak with your doctor.
Age

1 of 3

Gross motor

Fine motor

Social/Language

Cognitive

At the end of 3
months, most
infants can

roll from front to

back
control head and
neck movement
when sitting
raise their head
and chest when
lying on their
stomach
stretch out and
kick their legs
when lying on
their stomach or
back
push down with
their legs when
feet are on a firm
surface

bring their hands

together
open and shut their
hands
bring their hands to
their mouth
take swipes at a
hanging object

smile when you

smile and on their
own
be expressive and
communicate with
their face and body
copy some body
movements and
facial expressions

watch faces closely

follow moving
objects
recognize objects
and people they
know

At the end of 8
months, most
babies can

roll both ways

(front to back,
back to front)
sit on their own
support their
whole weight on
their legs

hold and shake a

hand toy
move an object from
hand to hand
use their hands to
explore an object

reach for a person

they know
smile at themselves
in a mirror
respond when other
people express
emotion

track a moving
object, and find one
that is partially
hidden
explore with hands
and mouth
struggle to get

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Your childs development: What to expect

http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/your_childs_dev...

control their upper

body and arms

2 of 3

copy speech sounds

objects that are out

of reach
look from one object
to another watch a
falling object

At 12 to 14
months, most
babies can

reach a sitting
position without
help
crawl on hands
and knees, or
scoot around on
their bum
get from a sitting
to a crawling or
prone (on their
stomach) position
pull up to a
standing position
cruise, holding
onto furniture
stand briefly
without support
walk holding an
adults hand, and
maybe take 2 or 3
steps on their own
start to climb
stairs with help

finger-feed using
thumb and fore-finger
put objects into a
container (and take
them out again)
release objects
voluntarily
poke with an index
finger
push a toy
begin to drink from a
cup
scribble with a crayon
begin to use a spoon

be shy or anxious
with strangers
copy during play
have favourite toys
and people
test limits to actions
and behaviours
put out an arm or leg
to help when being
dressed
take off socks
come when called
(respond to name)
say mama or
dada with at least
one other word with
meaning
communicate a need
without crying
stop an action if you
say no

explore objects in
different ways
(shaking, banging,
throwing, dropping)
know the names of
familiar objects
respond to music
begin to explore
cause and effect

At 18 months,
most babies
can

climb into chairs

walk without help
climb stairs one at
a time with help

build a 3-block tower

use a spoon well
turn a few
board-book pages at
a time
turn over a container
to pour out the
contents
drink easily from a
cup

say 20 or
more words
follow a simple
instruction
remove some
clothing on their own
point to a named
body part
point to familiar
objects when asked
help with simple
tasks

use objects as tools

fit related objects
together (e.g., in a
shape sorter)

At 24 months,
most toddlers
can

pull a toy while

walking
carry a large toy
or more than one
toy while walking
begin to run
kick or throw a
ball
climb into and get
down from chairs
without help
walk up and down
stairs with help

build a tower of 4
blocks or more
complete a simple
shape-matching
puzzle
turn board-book
pages easily, one at
a time

start to put 2 words

together
copy the behaviour
of adults and other
children
get excited about
being with other
children
play alongside other
children
show increasing
independence
show defiant
behaviour

begin make-believe
play

At 3 years, most
toddlers can

walk up and down

stairs, alternating
feet (one foot per
stair)

make up-and-down,
side-to-side and
circular lines with a
pencil or crayon

show spontaneous
affection for
playmates they
know

match an object in
their hand or the
room to a picture in
a book

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Your childs development: What to expect

At 4 years, most
preschoolers
can

http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/your_childs_dev...

run easily
jump in place
throw a ball
overhead

build a tower of more

than 6 blocks
hold a pencil in a
writing position
screw and unscrew
jar lids or big nuts
and bolts
string big beads
work latches and
hooks
snip with childrens
scissors

begin to take turns

understand the
concept of mine vs.
someone elses
object to changes in
routine
anticipate daily
activities
speak in sentences
and ask a lot of
questions
put toys away
ask for help
know their full name

include animals,
dolls and people in
make-believe play
sort easily by shape
and colour
complete a puzzle
with 3 or 4 pieces
understand the
difference between 1
and 2
name body parts and
colours

hop and stand on

1 foot for up to 4
seconds
kick a ball forward
catch a bounced
ball

draw a person with 2

to 4 body parts use
childrens scissors
draw circles and
squares
twiddle thumbs
do a finger-to-thumb
sequence (e.g.,
Itsy-Bitsy Spider)

look forward to new

experiences
cooperate with other
children
play Mom or Dad
be very inventive
dress and undress
imagine monsters
negotiate solutions
to conflicts

understand counting
follow a 3-part
instruction
recall parts of a story
make up and tell
simple stories
understand same
and different
enjoy rich fantasy
play
know their address

Source: Well Beings: A Guide to Health in Child Care, 3rd edition

More information from the CPS:

Read, speak, sing to your baby: How parents can promote literacy from birth
Your babys brain: How parents can support healthy development
Additional resources:

Importance of Early Childhood Development: From the Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development
Reviewed by the following CPS committees:
Public Education Advisory Committee
Last Updated: February 2014

2014 - Canadian Paediatric Society

www.cps.ca - info@cps.ca
The information on Caring for Kids should not be used as a
substitute for medical care and advice. If you have specific
concerns about your childs health, please see your childs
paediatrician, family physician, or another health care provider.

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