Physical Development

• Begins to lose primary (baby) teeth.
• Displays left- or right-handedness.
• Builds elaborate structures.
• Tires easily.
• Bathes, eats, dresses, toilets without help.
• Begins to participate in semistructured games.
• Enjoys active games and movement.
• Enjoys playing noisy rhythm instruments.
• Is curious about reproduction and birth.

Emotional Development

• Begins to express more feelings in words.
• Embarrasses easily, and cannot yet laugh at self.
• May have feelings about death.
• Shows guilt over misbehavior.
• Likes independence.
• Is serious and dependable.

Social Development

• Follows more rules and regulations.
• May tattle, name-call, hit and shove at times.
• Cooperates in simple group tasks.
• Likes to please adults.
• Takes turns during playing and speaking.
• Gets along with other children.
• Is keenly interested in family activities.

Mental Development

• Starts to recognize letters and words.
• Keeps up activities over longer periods of time.
• Has developed a self-image.
• Craves facts.
• Names simple colors.
• Understands left from right.
• Has a vocabulary of about 2,000 to 2,500 words.
• Can help with chores.
• Can learn address and phone number.
• Can think some things through.
• Can count to 10.
• Starts to understand concept of opposites.
• Can speak in sentences of 6 to 8 words.
• Can tell coins apart.
• Engages in elaborate dramatic play.
• Understands concepts of morning, afternoon, night, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
• Is better able to tell make-believe from real life.

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.

If you have any concerns related to your child's own pattern of development, check with your health care provider.

Pediatric Advisor 2006.4; Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved. Written by Donna Warner Manczak, PhD, MPH and Robert Brayden, MD. This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.