What Should Your Child be Able to do and at What Age?

If some mums and dads are to be believed, their babies came strolling out of the womb doing stand-up and writing their first novel. But with so many exaggerating parents around it can be hard to know exactly what your little ones should be capable of and when. That’s why we’ve put together this nifty little guide to all the things you need to look out for to make sure your child’s on track.

Foreword: Your baby should not be able to fly, at any age. Please seek medical advice.

2-4 months:

Demonstrate an awareness of the world around them (looking towards the source of sounds, reaching for toys)
Begin their first attempts at communication (gurgling, babbling, copying, smiling)
Recognising faces and people

6-9 months:

Show you whether they are happy or upset
Respond to their own name
Make vowel sounds and start making consonant sounds
Develop physical skills (bringing objects to mouth, rolling over, sitting without support)

One year:

First word!
Responds to requests and plays games
Makes simple gestures (waving, shaking head, drinking from cup)
Pull self up to standing, first steps!

18 months to two years:

Knows several words and gestures to go with them (yes, no, etc)
Knows the names of basic objects
Pointing
Walking, running and beginning to climb
Drinking and eating using cups and cutlery
Helps with dressing
Scribbling and drawing shapes

Three to four years:

Developed speech and grammar (if your friends can understand your toddler this is good sign!)
Understands simple puzzles and numbers
Climbing stairs
Dressing self
Able to copy letters
First tricycle!

Five to six years:

Tying shoelaces
Remembering songs or poems
Counting to ten or more
Writing letters and numbers
Using a fork, spoon and maybe knife
Putting their clothes and toys away
Going to the toilet by themselves

Seven to 10 years:

Riding a bike and swimming
Tidying up, vacuuming and chores (like pet care)
Serving themselves simple meals like sandwiches or cereal
Learning basic supervised cooking skills like baking
Getting themselves ready to go out
Knowing how to answer the phone or dial 999 in an emergency

So there you have it. Making sure your little one is on track for each developmental milestone will help them become fully-fledged little people, ready to face the big wide world! Eek!