At KidSHINE, we use a strengths-based, client and caregiver-centric approach, fostering an environment where children can feel safe, happy, and confident in their daily lives. We tailor our support to meet each child where they are, guiding them to meet milestones and reach their full potential. While recognizing that every child develops uniquely, developmental guidelines offer valuable insights into areas that are on target and those that may benefit from additional focus. It’s important to note that teenagers also thrive in a safe, supportive community, contributing to their ongoing growth and development. This list serves as a starting point, providing insights for targeted practice, growth, and development.
Many children at 1 year old will…
- Play games like “patty cake”
- Wave “bye-bye”
- Call parent “mama” or “dada”
- Understand “no”
- Put toys/objects in a container
- Understand/look for objects that you hide
- Pull to stand
- Walk along furniture while holding on
- Drink out of cup without a lid while cup is held for them
- Pick objects/food up between their thumb and pointer finger
Many children at 2 years old will…
- Notice when others are upset
- Look to see how someone reacts in a new situation
- Point to things in books when prompted
- Say at least two words together
- Point to at least two body parts when prompted
- Use gestures like blowing a kiss or nodding yes
- Use both hands simultaneously (i.e. holding the plate with one hand while using the other hand to pick up food)
- Try to use buttons and switches on toys
- Play with more than one toy at a time
- Kick a ball
- Run
- Walk up a few stairs with or without help
- Eat with a spoon
Many children at 3 years old will…
- Calm down within 10 minutes of leaving them/dropping them off
- Notice other children and engages in play with them
- Talk in conversations using back-and-forth interactions
- Ask questions using “who” “what” “where” “why”
- Say what action is happening in a picture when prompted
- Say first name when prompted
- You can understand most of what they say
- Draw a circle after watching someone do it
- Avoid touching hot objects after being warned not to
- String items together like beads
- Put on loose fitting clothes by themselves
- Use a fork
Many children at 4 years old will…
- Use pretend play and pretends to be someone else (i.e. teacher, doctor, dog)
- Ask to play with other children even when they aren’t present
- Show affection for and comforts others who are sad
- Avoid danger
- Like to help
- Change behavior based on their setting
- Speak in sentences of four or more words
- Say some words from a song or story
- Talk about one thing that happened throughout their day
- Answer simple questions
- Identify some colors of items
- Tell what comes next in a story they know well
- Draw a person with three or more body parts
- Catch a large ball most of the time
- Serve themself food and pours water with adult supervision present
- Unbutton some buttons
- Hold their pencil or crayon between their thumb and finger
Many children at 5 years old will…
- Follow rules and takes turn with others when playing games
- Dance, sing, act to perform
- Complete simple chores at home like setting/clearing the table
- Tell a story with two or more events that they witnessed or made up
- Answer simple questions about a story or book after it is read to them
- Hold a conversation for three or more back-and-forth interactions
- Recognize simple rhymes– sat, hat
- Count to 10
- Name some numbers between 1 and 5 when the number is pointed to
- Use words about time– tomorrow, tonight, this morning
- Pay attention for 5 to 10 minutes during an activity (excluding screen time)
- Write some letters in their name
- Name some letters when the letter is pointed to
- Button some buttons
- Hop on one foot
Many children at 6 years old will…
- Tandem walk
- Write first and last name
- Create and write short sentences
- Tie shoes
- Comb hair
- Look both ways when crossing the street
- Form letters with downward and counterclockwise strokes
- Simple addition and subtraction
- Read 250 words by the end of first grade
- Play board games
- Distinguish fantasy from reality
- Enjoy school
- Repeat 8 to 10 word sentences
- Describe events in proper order
- Know the days of the week
Many children at 7 years old will…
- Enjoy many different activities and likes to be busy
- Enjoy painting and drawing
- Understand that practicing skills will help them improve
- Play with a jump rope
- Ride a bike
- Understand concept of daytime and nighttime
- Differentiate between their left and right hand
- Copy a complex shape
- Tell time
- Understand instructions with three separate commands
- Explain an object and what it is used for
- Repeat 3 numbers backwards
- Read age-appropriate materials
Many children between 8 and 9 years old will…
- Jump and skip
- Chase others
- Dress and groom themselves completely
- Count backwards
- Know the date
- Read more
- Understand fractions
- Draw and paint
- Name months and days of the week in order
- Become more aware of their body and its growth
Many children between 10 and 12 years old will…
- Write stories
- Enjoy writing letters
- Read well
Many children between 12 and 14 years old will…
- Experience changes in physical appearance
- Look more to peers than to parents
- Seek acceptance and trust
- Seek privacy
- Strive for independence
- Develop logical skills
- Solve problems with more than one variable
- Interested in exploring beyond their own community
Evaluation Request
If you have concerns about your child’s development and would like to set up an evaluation or speak with our clinical intake coordinator, please fill out the form below and someone will be back in touch with you soon!
Request A Free Consultation
(1:1 Services or Programs)
EXERSHINEkids Bootcamp Program
If your child is generally developmentally “on track” but you are looking for fun and unique groups for your child to build strength, confidence and foster friendships, check out our groups, including our evidence based EXERSHINEkids Bootcamp Program- we have both therapeutic and recreational groups!