The stages of child development

[5 MIN READ] 

In this article:

• Learn about growth milestones for five different stages in childhood and young adulthood, from birth to age 24.

• While growth milestones are important, your pediatrician can help you understand whether your child is developing at the appropriate rate.

• Providence offers resources to help you support your child in their development through each stage of life.

Understanding the stages of child development

As a parent, grandparent or other caregiver, you may feel anxious about whether the child in your life is hitting the right milestones. It can be tempting to compare your child’s growth to other children, especially those who may have developed faster.

We spoke with Alexander Hamling, M.D., a pediatrician at Pacific Medical Centers in Bothell, Washington, about some of the most important milestones, and why it’s important to keep the right perspective. 

Introduction to child development

Keeping track of developmental milestones is a balancing act, says Dr. Hamling. “It’s about setting realistic expectations for parents,” he says, “so they’re not overwhelmed, stressed out or disappointed if their child doesn’t do things right away. Not every child reaches milestones right away. At the same time, it is important to recognize if they’re not developing at the right pace. So, parents have to strike a balance between not being overly worried, but not being overly nonchalant.”

Stage 1: Infancy (0-2 years of age)

Parents are perhaps most aware of the stages of development during the first year or two of their child’s life. That’s because there are countless books that detail which milestones are expected by certain ages. Those milestones include:

• 3-6 months – recognizing familiar faces, babbling, controlling their head movements, rolling over and bringing their hands together
• 6-9 months – sitting without support, responding when people call their name and communicating with gestures and facial expressions
• 9-12 months – picking up objects, crawling, standing with support and imitating sounds and gestures
• 12-18 months – walking with support, starting to say words

“There are some parents who believe that all children should be rolling over by 6 months and walking by 12 months,” says Dr. Hamling. “It all depends on what your definition of rolling over is. It tends to be easier for babies to roll one way than another. On the other hand, if a baby feels floppy or very stiff, that can be out of the range of his or her physical development. The best way to evaluate your child’s progress is to take them to the pediatrician throughout their infancy.” 

Stage 2: Early childhood (2-6 years of age)

Between the ages of 2 to 6, a child’s body is changing significantly. As they grow out of toddlerhood, their head becomes more proportional with their body.

“A lot of times with young children, their development is more nuanced,” says Dr. Hamling. “They are developing fine motor skills, such as drawing a circle or a triangle. But it doesn’t have to be a perfect circle or triangle.”

Dr. Hamling says he often asks children to draw a picture of themselves in the examination room, and then he observes how they create that picture. “It helps solidify if the child is on the right developmental track or not,” he says.

Stage 3: Middle childhood (6-12 years of age)

Cognitively, older children think about multiple topics more easily than preschoolers. They also show conservation, which is the ability to see how physical properties remain constant even as appearance changes. They are less egocentric than younger children and have learned that other people have their own feelings and desires.

“At this age, we’re looking a lot at their social interaction with other kids, teachers and strangers,” says Dr. Hamling.

Pediatricians continue to measure older children’s growth in comparison to how quickly they have been growing so far. They will take note if that child suddenly starts growing much quicker or slower than before. That might be an indication of malnutrition or a medical condition (such as hypothyroidism) that needs treatment. 

Stage 4: Adolescence (12-18 years of age)

Teenagers are able to use higher levels of thinking when solving problems and organizing. “It’s a pseudo-independence,” says Dr. Hamling. “Teens are doing dishes, preparing simple meals and folding laundry. They’re developing interpersonal skills in their family and with other kids in their peer groups. Teens are at an exploration phase in their life.”

Because they are thinking at a higher level, they are also feeling at a higher level. “This is the prime age when we do a lot of screening for anxiety and depression,” says Dr. Hamling. “Teens have a lot of social pressure. We want to make sure they have the appropriate coping skills for both good and bad things that happen.”

Physically, the teenage years are a time of tremendous change. They are going through puberty, and their hormones are preparing for sexual reproduction. 

Stage 5: Young adulthood (18-24 years of age)

While you might think your child will be all grown up when they reach 18 years old, they still have plenty more to experience. 

“There’s a very large aspect of emotional development that takes place,” says Dr. Hamling. “Some young adults are ready to be on their own. Then you have quite the opposite — many who would struggle if you placed them in a foreign environment. These young adults need to be under guidance from their parents.

“Just because they are of a legal age to make decisions doesn’t mean they are at an emotional age to understand the consequences of those decisions.” 

Supporting your child’s development

As your child goes through all the above stages, it’s important that you have the resources to support them. Providence offers valuable information on raising connected kids and understanding your child’s mental health.

Your pediatrician can also help you by providing information about your child’s specific age and stage. Parenting is a hard job, but we’re here to make it just a little easier!

Contributing caregiver

Alexander Hamling, M.D., is a pediatrician at Pacific Medical Centers in Bothell, Washington.

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This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions.