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Child development

Ages, Stages and the Rythms of Growth: A quick reference guide to patterns of behavior

Early Childhood

Infancy to 18 months: The infant has no real notion of reality. Comforting and caring for infants by answering their cries and attending to their needs leads to the development of bonding.
One Month: Breathes and sleeps more regularly; opens eyes wide; has a preference for position; reacts positively to comforts and satisfactions and negatively to pain and denial.
Three Months: Marked by disequilibrium; when placed on stomach will kick and struggle fruitlessly and awkwardly. There may be a very great deal of crying especially in the evening. Responsive to caretakers.
Four Months: Very responsive, smiles socially, behavior is smoothed out; goes to sleep more easily; eyes follow a moving object, hands reach out for a desired object - but cannot grasp it; coos, chuckles laughs aloud, can smile back when smiled to.
Five Months to Six Months: Cries when mother leaves room - beginning to feel "stranger anxiety"; reaches for objects but may be unsuccessful in grasping them; cannot do things he wants to, but tries.
Seven Months: Prefers sitting position; wants to touch, and to be held standing and to bounce; must have something in hands, can reach out and grasp and bring to mouth; shifts from one hand to other, gets on well.
Eight Months: New awareness makes for new sensitivity - can withdraw and even cry at sight of strangers i.e., can tell the difference between the familiar and unfamiliar. Tries to crawl and creep. Crying and laughter very close.
Nine to Ten Months: Fine equilibrium. Socially well adjusted and extremely responsive, some respond to "bye-bye", pat-a-cake. Can sit alone and even manipulate objects. Gets up on hands and knees; responds to gestures, facial expressions and sounds; vocalized spontaneously and can initiate such simple syllables as "da da".
Eleven Months: Can be "strange" with strangers, but serene and friendly. Efficiently creeps and gets around.
One Year: Rate of growth slows down. Can creep; cruise along some object of furniture; serene and self-confident; recognizes social approval; loves to have an audience; likes to play peek-a-boo and to be chased; may prefer to stand up while being fed; begins to separate from parent.
Fifteen Months: Can walk; strains at the leash with new-found abilities. Gets into everything and loves to throw; can ask for what she wants by vocalizing and pointing and can respond to a few key words and phrases. May be able to hold cup. Mood shifts; diversion is easy; easily entertained.

Toddlerhood

Eighteen Months: The 18 month old is extremely immature; understands more than ability to speak, but understanding is still very limited. Don't expect this aged child to listen to your directions. If you want your toddler to move from wherever he/she is, the best way is to pick him up and carry him to where you want. Favorite word is "NO", and favorite behavior is "NOW!" No concept of sharing or waiting.
18 Months to 3 Years: The work is their playpen. Curious, active, runs, climbs, develops language - becomes more social. Lacks self-control, and begins the Age of Separation. Craves independence from parents, but fears being abandoned.
Two Years: The 2 year old is more balanced and has more mastery over himself and the environment. Has more of an ability to wait and generally is more manageable. Loving and responsible.
Two and a Half Years: The tantrum age. Rigid, stubborn and resisting. Likes rituals and doing the same thing over and over. Yes/No; I will/I won't/I don't want it reveals the inner conflict.

The play age

Three to Six Years: It's time to master self and environment and prepare to go to school. Becomes more social, and begins playing more with friends and going to friend's homes. Intermittent sharing behaviors (don't expect too much). Moves from being parent-centered to being self-centered.
Three Years: The calm after the storm. Much more cooperative, charming and feels much more secure. Likes new words and to be around friends and may even be willing to share a toy.
Three and a Half Years: A tremendous change with signs of marked insecurity and physical incoordination. Tension outlets include biting nails, sucking their thumb, blinking eyes.
Four Years: The key words are vigor and expansiveness. They run way in front of you on a walk and are known to break things (accidently), and language can be abrasive and startling. Line between fact and fiction very thin. The insecure 3 ½ year old becomes a daring and exploring 4 year old.
Four and a Half Years: Focuses on what's "really real". More focused, and is less wild than at four, but also can exhibit more moodiness and withdrawn behaviors.
Five Years: The wonderful age - "Too good to be true" say some parents. Cooperative, loves mom and dad and family; satisfied with self, contented, reliable and stable.