Rearing children can be one of the most rewarding--and challenging--activities one faces over the course of a lifetime. Children change so rapidly and are constantly developing and growing. Some parents may worry that their children are not developing as quickly or normally as other children. There are some basic milestones to be looking for, but it is also important to remember that every child grows and develops at his own pace.
Birth to 12 Months
The first major child development stage is, of course, infancy. From the moment a baby is born, it is learning, growing and developing skills that will aid it later in life. The period from birth to 12 months is one of the fastest in terms of overall development. In most cases, children at this age will go from being completely dependent on their parent or caregiver for every necessity, to in many cases walking and beginning the initial stages of talking and communicating.
1 to 3 years
While infancy is a period for learning major motor skills, children after their first birthday also experience an explosion of mental growth. Kids at this age begin to start talking communication, learning emotions and how to reason. Motor skills still play a part as children begin to master the art of getting around, including walking, running and even jumping.
3 to 5 Years
This stage is all about independence. For most children, this stage is one of self-awareness. Kids are learning about themselves and that they are individual people with individual thoughts, emotions and needs and how all those things correspond to the world around them. Children at this age are more likely to understand not just the rules that parents establish, but the reasons behind those rules. They begin to develop the desire to please other people and be liked by their friends and family. Their overall motor skills are in place and now are being refined and developed into skills and talents.
