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.

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.