Developmental Stages
Often parents compare their child(ren) with others and wonder "Is my child(ren) normal?". Learn more about the developmental stages and how it will help you with your parenting.
Introduction
Becoming a parent does not come with a teaching manual. For parents and teachers alike, it is extremely helpful to know what is normal behavior in children. Knowing what is within the normal developmental stages of each age helps us effectively work with and communicate with children.
When we look at traits and characteristics of each age level, it is helpful to look at the four main areas of growth and development. I use the acronym P.I.E.S. (Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Social)
It is easy when we think of looking at the physical developmental stages because it is something most visible and we are most familiar with. Hardly a parent doesn’t wonder when their child will first roll over, sit up, crawl, walk, run etc. These milestones are our guidelines as parents. Developmental milestones are skills that a child acquires within a specific time frame.The milestones develop in a sequential fashion. What this means is that a child must develop one skill before moving on to the next new skill. Each milestone builds on the previous milestone.
As with any skill, if a child should not completely master the needed skills, it is just a matter of going back and building that skill. That concept is easy to see when looking at physical development but not always as clear when looking at the other areas of growth and development.
Intellectual growth and development is how children learn. There are many developmental levels here for each area such as speech and language development, reading, writing, moral development etc.
Emotional growth and development looks at how children handle feelings and express feelings in appropriate ways. Often life’s events throw children off course as they develop emotionally. For example, experiencing an early death in the family etc.
Social growth and development addresses the interaction children have with others and their ability to function in a social setting. This is especially important in grade school,where so much of their social skills are put into practice.
Often there are gaps in the developmental process so it is important to be familiar with what is normal, so as a parent or teacher,you can intervene and provide opportunities for further growth and development.
There are a few basic principles of development. First, it is not orderly but it is also not random. It is a continuous and gradual process. Growth is most rapid during the early stages of infancy and then again during adolescent years. Children do not develop all at the same pace but there is a general range of expected development. Lastly, growth and development is different from a child’s basic temperament and, of course, not all children have the same temperament so the developmental stage progression will look different in some children.
Also, keep in mind that there are many different influences on the growth and development of children.Parents, teachers, coaches, peers, family members, heredity, culture, and the environment all play an important role.
As you explore the various traits and characteristics, please keep in mind that this is a broad categorization and a brief overview. There are many books and resources available if you wish to explore further. One of my favorites is the series by the Gessel Institude by Louise Bates and Frances llg. Each title covers a years worth of information for each developmental stages. It goes from Your One Year Old to Your Twelve Year Old.
Useful Developmental Stages Links
CHILD DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
Learn about physical, mental, social and emotional development of children
AGE 5
Learn about the ages and stages of your 5 year old
STAGES OF SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Learn about the social and emotional development of your 5 - 7 year old
AGES 5-18
A comprehensive description by 4H of the developmental ages 5-18
AGES 6-8
Learn about the ages and stages of your 6-8 year old
AGES 9-11
Learn about the ages and stages of your 9-11 year old
me
Becoming a parent does not come with a teaching manual. For parents and teachers alike, it is extremely helpful to know what is normal behavior in children. Knowing what is within the normal developmental stages of each age helps us effectively work with and communicate with children.
When we look at traits and characteristics of each age level, it is helpful to look at the four main areas of growth and development. I use the acronym P.I.E.S. (Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Social)
It is easy when we think of looking at the physical developmental stages because it is something most visible and we are most familiar with. Hardly a parent doesn’t wonder when their child will first roll over, sit up, crawl, walk, run etc. These milestones are our guidelines as parents. Developmental milestones are skills that a child acquires within a specific time frame.The milestones develop in a sequential fashion. What this means is that a child must develop one skill before moving on to the next new skill. Each milestone builds on the previous milestone.
As with any skill, if a child should not completely master the needed skills, it is just a matter of going back and building that skill. That concept is easy to see when looking at physical development but not always as clear when looking at the other areas of growth and development.
Intellectual growth and development is how children learn. There are many developmental levels here for each area such as speech and language development, reading, writing, moral development etc.
Emotional growth and development looks at how children handle feelings and express feelings in appropriate ways. Often life’s events throw children off course as they develop emotionally. For example, experiencing an early death in the family etc.
Social growth and development addresses the interaction children have with others and their ability to function in a social setting. This is especially important in grade school,where so much of their social skills are put into practice.
Often there are gaps in the developmental process so it is important to be familiar with what is normal, so as a parent or teacher,you can intervene and provide opportunities for further growth and development.
There are a few basic principles of development. First, it is not orderly but it is also not random. It is a continuous and gradual process. Growth is most rapid during the early stages of infancy and then again during adolescent years. Children do not develop all at the same pace but there is a general range of expected development. Lastly, growth and development is different from a child’s basic temperament and, of course, not all children have the same temperament so the developmental stage progression will look different in some children.
Also, keep in mind that there are many different influences on the growth and development of children.Parents, teachers, coaches, peers, family members, heredity, culture, and the environment all play an important role.
As you explore the various traits and characteristics, please keep in mind that this is a broad categorization and a brief overview. There are many books and resources available if you wish to explore further. One of my favorites is the series by the Gessel Institude by Louise Bates and Frances llg. Each title covers a years worth of information for each developmental stages. It goes from Your One Year Old to Your Twelve Year Old.
Useful Developmental Stages Links
CHILD DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
Learn about physical, mental, social and emotional development of children
AGE 5
Learn about the ages and stages of your 5 year old
STAGES OF SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Learn about the social and emotional development of your 5 - 7 year old
AGES 5-18
A comprehensive description by 4H of the developmental ages 5-18
AGES 6-8
Learn about the ages and stages of your 6-8 year old
AGES 9-11
Learn about the ages and stages of your 9-11 year old
me