About Child Development - Ages and Stages

A child grows and develops in leaps and
bounds during the first five years of life.
As a home child care provider, knowing
the different stages of child growth and
development will help you provide better
quality care and make your business a
success as parents spread the word
about how well you do your job.

Once you're more aware of the ages and
stages of child development, you'll be
able to plan age-appropriate play and
learning activities for the children in your
care. Your day care kids will be happy
because you've planned well and they
aren't getting frustrated from lack of
fun and stimulating activities throughout the day. Just remember, that not every child develops at the same rate; some will talk earlier than others, while some will be very active and have super motor skills etc. You can't pin point exactly the stage of development of each particular child, but you can find a range where most children reach certain developmental milestones and then plan accordingly for your child care.

Some basic early child developmental stages:

Birth to six months
Sleeps often, and sets his own schedule
Reaches and grasps objects
Listens to voices and sounds around him
Often imitates movement and noises
Loves bright colors
Rolls over, and sits with help


One year to eighteen months
Drinks from cup
Knows what is being said
Takes own actions
Plays by himself
Walks
Builds with and manipulates objects
Speaks simple words

These are very basic, short lists. Find more information below:



Six months to one year
Crawls
Sits
Jabbers
Remembers faces
Responds to own name
Puts objects in mouth


Eighteen months to Two Years
Speaks short sentences
Can name lots of objects
Climbs, kicks ball and runs
Names and points to body parts
Short attention span
Resists authority and rules
Loves to explore