In the first five years of your little one's life, her physical growth and development are incredible. As your child moves from helpless babe at birth to independent school-going child, her coordination and motor skills become more defined and precise. All children develop at a different pace, but some general milestones can help you monitor whether your child's development is within a normal range. If you are worried that your child is not developing the way she should, contact your family physician for more advice.
1 Year Old
According to Baby Center, after your child's first 12 months, he should be able to imitate others around him. He should gesture to let you know what he wants or needs. About half of 1-year-olds can take steps and say one word more than "mama" or "dada." Some children might even be able to walk alone, draw incoherently with crayons or say more than one word. Your 1-year-old has conquered a lot to get to where he is, but soon he will do even more.
2 Years Old
The second year is full of even more advances as your child physically matures and grows. According to Baby Center, your 2-year-old's language has increased, allowing her to say two- or three-word sentences. Other people can understand her speech, and she will be able to point to about six body parts and name them. She can now walk up and down stairs and even jump. She can kick a ball, put on some clothes and draw a straight line.
3 Years Old
At 3 years of age, your toddler is beginning to have more precise motor skills. He can jump and skip, and is learning to ride a tricycle. A 3-year-old can draw a person with limited detail, according to Baby Center. Toilet training is becoming easier; he probably is trained during the day but needs assistance at night. Your child can also have a simple conversation. Advanced skills include being able to balance on one foot for around three seconds and get dressed without your assistance.
4 Years Old
According to Healthy Children, a website run by pediatricians, a 4-year-old child has made marked improvements in motor skills and coordination. A 4-year-old can alternate feet while going up and down stairs, and will do this without help. She can catch a bounced ball and move with agility. She can draw circles and squares, and can use scissors. The people she draws are now becoming more detailed, and she might copy letters.
5 Years Old
According to the website Kids Growth, 5-year-old children need to have mastered several skills as they head off to kindergarten. Your child will be expected to go to the bathroom by himself, to cut with scissors, ride a tricycle, hold a crayon or marker, and dress himself. He also should be able to skip, walk, run, jump forward, write his name, and draw a person with all the main body parts such as arms, legs, head and torso.
