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What Are the Stages of Early Childhood Development?

Andrew Kirmayer
Andrew Kirmayer

Early childhood development is divided into various stages from birth until a child is eight years old. Each of the stages of early childhood development involves physical, cognitive, emotional, and social advancement that parents can use to judge the normal development of a child. Social ability, language, and mental state advances as a child gets older as well. An infant does not speak but is able to make sounds in order to communicate with parents; he or she will normally begin to speak words after a year and quickly develop a vocabulary.

During the first few months of a baby’s life, he or she needs to be protected, fed a nutritional diet, and be provided with both language and sensory stimulation. Even before three months, a baby can track moving objects and identify faces, respond to sounds, and smile. The infant will be calmed when someone holds him or her, but after four months take preference to the parent or sometimes an older sibling. Listening skills develop and imitation to sounds becomes more frequent. A baby up to six months old will make more use of their hands and feet to explore the world and be able to sit or roll over.

Sensory abilities begin to develop during infancy and early childhood.
Sensory abilities begin to develop during infancy and early childhood.

The stages of early childhood development advance between seven and 12 months when toddlers can recognize their individual identity. Word recognition and memory improve and the identification of one’s name becomes apparent at this stage. After a year, a child usually begins to walk and climb, and understands words enough to speak them. He or she should be able to solve basic problems and understand when a milestone is accomplished, and can also imitate others and pretend by age two.

During a child's first few years of life, they develop the ability to walk, talk, and begin more independent actions.
During a child's first few years of life, they develop the ability to walk, talk, and begin more independent actions.

From two to three years, children learn words quickly and turn to more independent actions. From three and a half to five years of age, a child’s attention span develops further, and he or she begins to ask questions and experiment with words. During this part of early childhood development, he or she takes note of physical abilities, shows their feelings, and shares and interacts with friends. Reading and writing abilities enter the stages of early childhood development during this time and continue to develop through age eight.

Between seven and 12 months of age, babies begin to recognize themselves as individuals.
Between seven and 12 months of age, babies begin to recognize themselves as individuals.

Typical early childhood development includes the most dramatic changes in a child's life. For example, a toddler usually doubles in height over the first three years. The stages of early childhood development each require careful attention, and one way to ensure normal development is through early childhood development education. Professional evaluations can also help to spot any physical or learning problems early on.

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    • Sensory abilities begin to develop during infancy and early childhood.
      By: Аrtranq
      Sensory abilities begin to develop during infancy and early childhood.
    • During a child's first few years of life, they develop the ability to walk, talk, and begin more independent actions.
      By: Halfpoint
      During a child's first few years of life, they develop the ability to walk, talk, and begin more independent actions.
    • Between seven and 12 months of age, babies begin to recognize themselves as individuals.
      By: Barbara Helgason
      Between seven and 12 months of age, babies begin to recognize themselves as individuals.
    • According to Jean Piaget’s groundbreaking theory, humans pass through four distinct stages of cognitive development.
      By: Tom Wang
      According to Jean Piaget’s groundbreaking theory, humans pass through four distinct stages of cognitive development.
    • Between the ages of 3 and 5, a child’s attention span lengthens and she begins to play with language and ask questions.
      By: altanaka
      Between the ages of 3 and 5, a child’s attention span lengthens and she begins to play with language and ask questions.
    • Toddlers usually double in height over the first three years.
      By: jolopes
      Toddlers usually double in height over the first three years.
    • The type of discipline that a young child receives can have a great influence on her emotional and social development.
      By: karelnoppe
      The type of discipline that a young child receives can have a great influence on her emotional and social development.
    • Young children who are from low-income families may not have ready access to invaluable early childhood education.
      By: Aliaksei Lasevich
      Young children who are from low-income families may not have ready access to invaluable early childhood education.
    • Developing literacy skills is important for young children.
      By: JenKedCo
      Developing literacy skills is important for young children.