KEY DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES FROM 0 TO 5 YEARS OF AGE

0 TO THREE MONTHS

Babies this age generally eat five to eight times a day, sleep for 20 of every 24 hours, and can make general distinctions in their senses. They should be able to follow objects with their eyes when held close to their face and lift their head for short periods when on their tummy. They will be able to express distress and delight and smile at faces.

FOUR TO SIX MONTHS

Children start to babble with most of the vowel sounds and some consonants between these months. They feed less – three to five times a day – and start to control their head and arm movements, by grasping objects on purpose and rolling over. They will recognise caregivers and no longer smile indiscriminately.

SIX TO 12 MONTHS

Children will learn to sit unaided and begin to move independently by shuffling, rolling or crawling. They will start playing interactive games, like to look at themselves in the mirror and hold their hands up to be lifted. Towards 12 months, they gain control of their legs and pull themselves to standing with support. They might also wave, give and take objects and respond to their name. Generally, they will sleep 12 hours at night with two daytime naps and eat three meals a day with two snacks.

ONE YEAR TO 18 MONTHS

Children begin to walk between these months, firstly by walking around furniture and then independently. They will start to make marks on paper, help to turn pages in books and be able to throw a small ball. They can feed themselves with finger food and repeat a few simple words such as “mama”. Babies of this age can point at objects and lift an arm or leg to assist in getting dressed.

18 MONTHS TO TWO YEARS

Agency begins to kick in and doing the opposite of what they’re told, along with temper tantrums, is common behaviour although they will respond to simple commands such as “Go and get your shoes”. They will be able to walk up stairs with an adult’s hand and enjoy nursery rhymes and try to join in. They will only have one nap in the day.

TWO TO THREE YEARS

At two, some children begin to toilet train and learn to be dry all day. Many children also drop their daytime nap at this point. Physically, they can run, begin to use tricycles, build towers of cubes, jump with both feet and try to kick a ball. They will begin to use short sentences using words like “mine”, “I” and “you” and start to use humour by playing tricks. They will play alongside other children but may be possessive about toys.

THREE TO FOUR YEARS

They begin to have interest in cooperative play with other children. They will imitate parents in behaviour and speech and show great affection towards caregivers. Pretend play becomes vivid and imaginary friends may be created. Physically, they can use stairs with alternating feet, stand on one leg, use cutlery and be able to draw a person with recognisable body parts. By the age of three, nine out of 10 children are dry during the day.

FOUR TO FIVE YEARS

Young children begin to talk clearly, have mastered basic grammar and generally know more than 2,000 words. They start to be able to skip, dress themselves, enjoy listening to stories and be able to tell stories themselves. As they reach five, feelings of responsibility, guilt and pride in accomplishments will develop. They may have best friends and will be becoming more independent from caregivers. Lucy Foster