According to the Mayo Clinic, every child grows at his own pace, although there are certain general developmental milestones accomplished at each age. A general understanding of what type of development should occur may aid parents in contributing to the learning process but may also serve as a means for seeking professional support when a milestone is not reached. There are various theories on child development, with Erickson's stages of social-emotional development introduced in the late 1950s still being prominent in teaching today. In addition to these stages, the American Academy of Pediatrics further indicates that there are motor coordination, language and cognitive milestones to be considered as well.
Birth to Two Years
During infancy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that your baby is absorbing information and recognizing sounds as well as visual cues. This is a foundation for language development for use in verbal communication. Infancy is also the time when your child is learning the basics of trust and bonding with other humans. The Child Development Institute indicates that when the child is nurtured and loved, this promotes a sense of security in the child's world. Additionally this sense of security helps the child to explore and learn to achieve coordination and cognitive milestones. By two years of age the child may be able to walk on her own and kick a ball. Hand coordination is improving and the child may be able to scribble with crayons. Language and cognition are also developing, and by this age the child can speak simple phrases as well as sort shapes and colors.
Two to Four Years
Between two and four years of age the child learns autonomous behavior such as exploring how an object is put together or adamantly denying help from an adult while walking. The Child Development Institute indicates nurturing a child's autonomy allows for continued learning and exploration of the world; however, when this developmental process is stunted the child may feel shame and fear of the world. According to the CDC, this is the time when huge intellectual and social changes also occur. The toddler is now able to follow simple commands and express emotion. The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes improvements in coordination and agility of movement at this developmental point. By this milestone children are also able to use scissors, speak six-word sentences and understand concepts of similarity and difference. It is also during this time that children engage in fantasy play and may have imaginary friends.
Four to Six Years
The Child Development Institute indicates that during beginning school-age years, the child begins finding purpose in his world and gains a sense of competence. This involves engaging in active play and learning how to relate to peers through social connections. The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes that this is also a time when the child begins recognizing geometric patterns and uses future tense in sentences. Additionally, the child starts recognizing and using the concept of time and counting objects. Increased desire to make and sustain friendships is also a significant developmental milestone at this stage.
