Page 7 - Parenting Pamphlets

Exercise: How Kids Grow - Kids are all different. The stages listed in the chart show what a lot of children do at certain ages. Your child may be different, showing a behavior earlier than expected,
or much later, depending on who they are, and their experiences growing up. As you read this chart, put your child’s initials next to the activities your children are doing.

Age Physical Development Mental Development Emotional/Social Development
Infants: (Birth to 2 years) „ Motor ability - Great changes from control of muscles, to rolling, „ Making sounds, babbling, imitates sounds „ Smiles, recognizes mother, can tell difference between familiar persons and
crawling, walking, running in the first two years „ Responds to simple commands strangers, expects feeding, dressing, bathing
Babies develop rapidly from „ Sleep changes from 20 hours a day at birth, to 12 hours at 10-12 „ Interested in own image „ Doesn’t like to be separated from mother, responds to name, waves bye-bye,
sleeping and feeding to crawling months, with 1-2 hour naps „ Growing vocabulary from 1 ½ - 2 years – of more than 200 understands “No”
and walking in the first two years. „ Capable of controlling bowel and bladder by 1 ½- 2 years words „ Can show anger, affection, fear of strangers, curiosity
You can find much more detailed „ Temper tantrums from 1-3 years
breakdowns of development for „ Obeys limited commands
every 2-3 months during this time. „ Feeds himself

Toddlers/ Preschool: (2-5) „ Jump up and down „ Starts to use short sentences- uses I, Me, and You „ Violent emotions, anger - Shows emotion through facial expressions – anger,
„ Ride tricycle „ Copies parents’ actions joy, has a sense of humor, dependent, clinging,
„ Use crayons „ Rigid insistence on keeping a routine „ Enjoys playing with others, but possessive about toys, likes to share
„ Build with blocks „ Likes to pretend, open play „ Resists parents demands, gives orders
„ Draw a circle and a cross (4 years) „ Can’t make decisions, fear of separation „ Feels pride in accomplishments
„ 4-5 – skips „ By 3-4 is self-sufficient in many routines „ Rules – follows simple do’s and don’ts
„ Knows over 2,000 words by 5 years
„ Starts to identify with same sex parent, imitates same-sex parent when
„ Dresses self ©2022 Learnovation®, LLC
playing
„ Intense curiosity and interest in other children’s bodies
Elementary School: (6-11) „ Ride bikes „ Able to read and write For Evaluation Only
„ Affectionate with parents
„ Skating „ Curious about how things work „ Very selective in friends
„ Like to build things „ Is eager to learn „ Friendships are usually same sex
„ Improved coordination „ Begin to show organized, logical thought „ Privacy becomes more important
„ Girls begin to develop faster than boys (9-10) „ Involved in groups and clubs
„ Start becoming more independent (9-10)
Pre-Teens-Young Teens: (12-15) „ Beginning of puberty „ Able to memorize „ Question parents and think they know everything, want more
„ Sudden growth spurts, gaining height and weight, body hair and „ Abstract thought, see principles behind rules independence
acne „ Knows right from wrong „ Begin to rebel towards rules, often angry
„ Body changes with puberty „ Try to make decisions on their own „ Likes to participate in competitive sports and clubs
„ Girls begin menstruation „ Usually has a group of friends, start dating, annoyed by younger brothers
„ Begin to have sexual desires and sisters
„ Worries about grades, appearance, popularity
„ Can become withdrawn and moody

High School Age Teens: (15-18) „ Approaching adulthood „ Developing own belief system „ May have conflict with parents over rules and restrictions
„ Girls are mostly mature „ Concerned about body image „ Values privacy
„ Boys have growth spurts „ Abstract thinking and logic „ Usually has many friends, more peer pressure
„ More likely to act on sexual desires from a physical need vs. „ Concerned about the future „ Actively dates, may want to be in a single, romantic relationship
a mature relationship „ Starting to make their own decisions „ May be moody, angry, impulsive, self-centered
„ Wants to be independent