Your child’s 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 you’re worried that they are 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).

Children develop skills in several different areas:

Gross motor: These are movements using the body’s large muscles and include sitting, standing, walking, running, keeping balance, and changing positions.
Fine motor: These skills use the small muscles in the hands and fingers. Fine motor skills include using hands to eat, draw, dress, play, and write. They develop over time and also involve hand-eye coordination.
Language: Speaking, using body language and gestures, and understanding what others say.
Social: Connecting and having relationships with others, cooperating, and responding to others' feelings.
Cognitive: These are thinking skills—learning, understanding, problem-solving, reasoning, and remembering.

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.

For babies born prematurely, milestones are based on their corrected age (your baby's actual age minus the number of weeks or months they were born early).

If you have any concerns about your child’s development, or if they seem to be behind in more than one of the areas listed below, speak with your doctor.

Age	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 control their upper body and arms	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 others express emotion copy speech sounds	track a moving object, and find one that is partially hidden explore with hands and mouth struggle to get 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 adult’s hand, and maybe take 2 or 3 steps on their own start to climb stairs with help	finger-feed using thumb and fore-finger (pincer grasp) 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) run easily jump in place throw a ball overhead	make up-and-down, side-to-side and circular lines with a pencil or crayon 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 children’s scissors	show spontaneous affection for playmates they know begin to take turns understand the concept of “mine” vs. “someone else’s” 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	match an object in their hand or the room to a picture in a book 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
At 4 years, most preschoolers can…	hop and stand on 1 foot for up to 4 seconds kick a ball forward catch a bouncing ball	draw a person with 2 to 4 body parts use children’s 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 fantasy play know their address

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

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Last updated: October 2019