Appendix A: Child Development Charts

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HealthWiki > New Where There Is No Doctor > Caring for Children > Appendix A: Child Development Charts

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In this chapter:

 

In this chapter:

How to use these child development charts

Children develop in several main areas: physical (body), mental (mind), communication (gesturing or talking), and social (relating to other people). Some skills a child learns include all these areas. For example, when a child reaches her arms up to be held, she is using a:

• physical skill – she holds up her arms.
• mental skill – she recognizes you.
• communication skill – she tells you what she wants.
• social skill – she enjoys being held by you.

The charts below show some of the skills children learn and when most children learn them. You can use the chart to get general information about how children develop and to help you decide what skills the child needs to learn. For a print quality version of these charts, click here.

6 months 12 months 2 years The charts show how children's physical skills change as children grow. To help you decide what skills the child needs to learn Find the chart for the age group closest to the child’s age. On the chart, circle the skills your child has. You may find your child does not have some skills that other children his age have. Knowing this can help you decide which activities you want to work on with the child. In the chart above, a mother has circled the skills her 20-month-old daughter can do. Her child needs activities to help her gain physical and communication skills. Each part of this circle shows a different area of development. The pictures and words are examples of skills that many babies have when they are 3 months old. 3 months old Communication Mental Social Physical responds to familiar voices or faces reacts to sudden sounds or movements recognizes main caregivers cries when hungry or uncomfortable can be comforted by voice or touch smiles when played with is aware of hands sucks on breast lifts head up when on belly Babies who cannot do 2 skills in any part of the circle will benefit from activities that help babies develop in that area. But the pictures are only examples of skills. For example, in the Communication part of the circle: you do not have to play the flute! The question to ask yourself is if your baby reacts to a sudden sound. Keep in mind that a baby will learn best by doing activities that other babies the same age do in your community. Each part of this circle shows a different area of development. The pictures and words are examples of skills that many babies have when they are 6 months old. 6 months old Communication Mental Social Physical makes simple sounds or gestures aaah turns head toward sounds or movements picks up things and puts them in mouth plays with toys in different ways is interested in objects shows fear with strangers makes requests for attention recognizes several people rolls from stomach to back and from back to stomach sits with some support wiggles and kicks arms and legs Babies who cannot do 2 skills in any part of the circle will benefit from activities that help babies develop in that area. But the pictures are only examples of skills. For example, in the Physical part of the circle: your baby does not have to play with a rattle. The question to ask yourself is if your baby wiggles and kicks. Keep in mind that a baby will learn best by doing activities that other babies the same age do in your community. Each part of this circle shows a different area of development. The pictures and words are examples of skills that many babies have when they are 12 months old. 12 months old Communication Mental Social Physical understands simple words or signs Give it to me. begins to babble by joining sounds together, or repeats hand shapes begins to name things ba-ba ga-ga wa wa learns that an object exists even if it is out of sight works to solve simple problems begins to understand cause and effect uses gestures cries when caregiver leaves begins to enjoy social games like peek-a-boo sits without help crawls pulls to standing position Babies who cannot do 2 skills in any part of the circle will benefit from activities that help babies develop in that area. But the pictures are only examples of skills. For example, in the Social part of the circle: you do not have to play peek-a-boo with your baby. The question to ask yourself is if your baby enjoys social games. Keep in mind that a baby will learn best by doing activities that other babies the same age do in your community. Each part of this circle shows a different area of development. The pictures and words are examples of skills that many children have when they are 2 years old. 2 years old Communication Mental Social Physical uses 2 and 3 word sentences play ball papa papa uses simple words imitates single words or signs cup matches objects uses objects related to each other pays attention to activities for longer times plays alongside other children imitates caregivers asks others when she needs help stacks large objects walks squats Children who cannot do 2 skills in any part of the circle will benefit from activities that help children develop in that area. But the pictures are only examples of skills. For example, in the Mental part of the circle: your child does not have to be able to play a drum. The question to ask yourself is if your child uses 2 objects together. Keep in mind that a child will learn best by doing activities that other children the same age do in your community. Each part of this circle shows a different area of development. The pictures and words are examples of skills that many children have when they are 3 years old. 3 years old Communication Mental Social Physical Where's your mouth? communicates clearly I want to go with papa understands most simple language fits shapes into matching holes or spaces sorts objects takes things apart and puts them together likes to be praised after doing simple tasks Thank you for helping enjoys helping around the house is aware of people's feelings runs, jumps, climbs uses hand for more complex tasks throws a ball Children who cannot do 2 skills in any part of the circle will benefit from activities that help children develop in that area. But the pictures are only examples of skills. For example, in the Social part of the circle: your child does not have to sweep the floor. The question to ask yourself is if your child enjoys helping work with the family. Keep in mind that a child will learn best by doing activities that other children the same age do in your community. Each part of this circle shows a different area of development. The pictures and words are examples of skills that many children have when they are 5 years old. 5 years old Communication Mental Social Physical I fell in the water asks many questions Who is over there? What are they doing? talks about what he has done follows simple directions does simple puzzles understands counting understands rules plays with other children I'm sad. I'm sorry. expresses many feelings copies simple shapes easily walks backwards hops on one foot Children who cannot do 2 skills in any part of the circle will benefit from activities that help children develop in that area. But the pictures are only examples of skills. For example, in the Social part of the circle: your child does not have to be listening to a teacher. The question to ask yourself is if your child understands rules like other children do. Keep in mind that a child will learn best by doing activities that other children the same age do in your community. This page was updated:25 Nov 2019