Early Years: 0 to 5 yrs
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- Early Years (0 to 5)
The following is a Child Development Chart of the first 5 years created by Harold Ireton, PH.D. Please remember that children develop at different rates and this is only a general guide. If you have concerns about your child's development please contact a professional. For child development charts for children ages 6 to 12 years please visit our Middle Years Child Development page.
Download the a PDF of the chart in the following languages:
Social
- Distinguishes mother from others.
- Social smile.
Self-Help
- Comforts self with thumb or pacifier.
- Reacts to sight of bottle or breast.
Gross Motor
- Turns around when lying on stomach.
- Lifts head and chest when lying on stomach.
Fine Motor
- Picks up toy with one hand.
- Looks at and reaches for faces and toys.
Language
- Vocalizes spontaneously, social.
- Reacts to voices. Vocalizes, coos, chuckles.
Social
- Pushes things away he/she does not want.
- Reaches for familiar persons.
Self-Help
- Feeds cracker to self.
Gross Motor
- Sits alone . . .steady, without support.
- Rolls over from back to stomach.
Fine Motor
- Picks up object with thumb and finger grasp.
- Transfers toy from one hand to the other.
Language
- Wide range of vocalizations ( vowel sounds, consonant-vowel combinations).
- Responds to name—turns and looks.
Social
- Plays patty-cake.
- Plays social games, peek-a-boo, bye-bye.
Self-Help
- Picks up spoon by handle.
Gross Motor
- Walks around furniture or crib while holding on.
- Crawls around on hands and knees.
Fine Motor
- Picks up small object—precise thumb and finger grasp.
Language
- Understands words like “No,” “Stop,” or “All gone.”
- Word sounds—says “ma-ma” or “Da-da.”
Social
- Greets people with “Hi” or similar.
- Gives hugs or kisses.
- Wants stuffed animal, doll, or blanket in bed.
Self-Help
- Insists on doing things by self such as feeding. Feeds self with a spoon.
- Lifts cup to mouth and drinks.
Gross Motor
- Runs.
- Walks without help.
- Stands without support.
Fine Motor
- Scribbles with crayon.
- Picks up two small toys in one hand.
- Stacks two or more blocks.
Language
- Asks for food or drink with words.
- Talks in single words.
- Follows simple instructions.
Social
- Usually responds to correction-stops.
- Shows sympathy to other children, tries to comfort them.
- Sometimes says, “No” when interfered with.
Self-Help
- Takes off open coat or shirt without help.
- Eats with spoon, spilling little.
- Eats with fork.
Gross Motor
- Walks up and down stairs alone.
- Runs well, seldom falls.
- Kicks a ball forward.
Fine Motor
- Turns pages of picture books, one at a time.
- Builds towers of four or more blocks.
Language
- Follows two-part instructions.
- Uses at least ten words.
- Follows simple instructions.
Social
- Plays a role in “pretend” games: mom-dad, teacher, space pilot.
- Plays with other children—cars, dolls, building.
- “Helps” with simple household tasks.
Self-Help
- Dresses self with help.
- Washes and dries hands.
- Opens door by turning knob.
Gross Motor
- Walks up and down stairs-one foot per step.
- Stands on one foot without support.
- Climbs on play equipment-ladders, slides.
Fine Motor
- Cuts with small scissors.
- Draws or copies vertical lines.
- Scribbles with circular motion.
Language
- Understands four prepositions—in, on, under, beside.
- Talks clearly-is understandable most of the time.
- Talks in two-three word phrases or sentences.
Social
- Protective toward younger children.
- Plays cooperatively, with minimum conflict and supervision.
- Gives directions to other children.
Self-Help
- Dresses and undresses without help, except for tying shoelaces.
- Washes face without help.
- Toilet trained.
Gross Motor
- Hops on one foot, without support.
- Rides around on a tricycle, using pedals.
Fine Motor
- Cuts across paper with small scissors.
- Draws or copies a complete circle.
Language
- Understands concepts—size, number, shape.
- Counts to five or more objects when asked, “How many?”
- Identifies four colours correctly.
- Combines sentences with the words “and,” “or,” or “but.”
Social
- Shows leadership among children.
- Follows simple game rules in board games or card games.
Self-Help
- Goes to the toilet without help.
- Usually looks both ways before crossing street.
- Buttons one or more buttons.
Gross Motor
- Swings on swing, pumping by self.
- Skips or makes running “broad jumps.”
- Hops around on one foot without support.
Fine Motor
- Prints first name.
- Draws a person that has at least three parts-head, eyes, nose, mouth, etc.
- Draws recognizable pictures.
Language
- Tells meaning of familiar words.
- Reads a few letters (five +).
- Follows a series of three simple instructions.