Physical
Development
- Has greater small muscle coordination
and better dexterity.
- Favors active, highly-charged games
and sports.
- Wants to excel in sports and
recreational skills.
- Becomes more interested in clothing
and appearance.
- Laughs at bathroom humor.
Emotional Development
- Becomes self-absorbed and
introspective.
- Tends to be critical of self.
- Takes comfort in knowing others have
similar troubling feelings.
Social Development
- Has ideas and interests independent
from parents.
- Does not like anything "different".
- Wants to talk, dress, and act just
like friends.
- Is involved in informal clubs and
small groups of the same sex.
- Starts to just sit and talk with
friends.
Mental Development
- Uses reference books with increasing
skill.
- Gets immersed in a hobby or project,
then drops it for another.
- May be a perfectionist.
- Generally follows instructions.
- Develops own standards of right and
wrong.
- Is highly concerned about fairness.
Each child is unique. It is therefore difficult to describe
exactly what should be expected at each stage of a child's
development. While certain attitudes, behaviors, and
physical milestones tend to occur at certain ages, a wide
spectrum of growth and behavior for each age is normal.
Consequently, these guidelines are offered as a way of
showing a general progression through the developmental
stages rather than as fixed requirements for normal
development at specific ages. It is perfectly natural for a
child to attain some milestones earlier and other milestones
later than the general trend. Keep this in mind as you
review these milestones.
If you have any concerns related to your
child's own pattern of development, check with your health
care provider.