The Most Important Child Developmental Milestones Between 0-5 Years Old

Every parent wants their child to do well in life. It’s natural to want a child to grow up independent, socially aware, and with a sound knowledge of right and wrong. Many of these things are learned when the child is still young.

While it is better to start learning these skills when children are young, it does raise the issue of competitiveness. Put simply, you want your child to reach development milestones before others, it makes you feel good.

The truth is that children develop at their own rate. The milestones are guidelines, reaching them early doesn’t guarantee success in life. However, it is worth noting that studies have shown a link between early learning at a reputable facility, such as this daycare Hurstville, and success later in life.

The developmental milestones help to ensure your child is on track, here’s what you should be looking out for.

By Six Months

At six months most children will be able to recognize those they are closest to. They will be starting to experiment with sounds from their mouths, although actually speech is unlikely.

Perhaps most obvious is the desire to put everything in their mouth and physically they should be able to roll over as well as push themselves up with their hands.

By 9 Months

In the early years, developments come closer together. By nine months children will start mastering expressions and you’ll get to see them laugh a lot more. Many children this age are wary of strangers.

At this age they’ll start picking things up and bashing them together, they may search for things they have dropped and they can sit by themselves.

Perhaps most exciting are the first signs of speech. Babies are likely to make sounds that sound like ‘mama’ and ‘papa’.

One-Year-Olds

At one year they will be laughing a lot more and interacting with you through a variety of simple games. Their speech will start to develop into simple words like ‘bye’. They will also start walking and this is when the beginning of thumb and finger dexterity starts.

Eighteen Months

By this time your child will be copying you and other children, they will be using more words and will start to be more mobile. Specifically, they are able to walk unaided and climb o and off things. They should also be able to point and will start helping you dress them.

Two-Year-Olds

By the age of two, your child can respond to others’ emotions, particularly if you are upset. Their vocabulary will start to expand properly and they can start kicking balls and even running.

Three Years

They should now be capable of interacting with other children and coping without you being present. It’s likely they’ll be asking a lot of questions, especially ‘why’ and at care centres for Yishun students they will be capable of drawing objects, including circles. They should have acquired good dexterity skills.

Four Years

They will now want to play with other children, have gained the ability to pretend and they can catch a ball. Children should also be able to name colours and re-tell familiar stories.

Five Years

By five your child can follow rules and will understand how to share as well as take turns. They will be capable of hopping, dressing themselves, and should be able to count to ten. Their concentration can be held for about ten minutes and you’ll be able to start having a conversation with them.