Domains

Appendix 4.
02C
Characteristics of Children by Age Groups and Domains
Infants Birth through

3 Months
PhysicalDevelopment
andHealth
Average height: 20 inches
Average weight: 71/2 pounds
Shows active, but uncontrolled, reflexive body movements; can move arms and legs together
Keeps hands fisted or slightly open; grasps objects in reflex movements; holds object if placed
in hand, but drops quickly
Needs support for head; lifts head at one month, can hold up and turn vigorously at three
By three months, uses improved vision to look at objects more closely and for a longer time
LanguageDevelopmentandCommunication
Cries deliberately for assistance, grunts and makes some sounds
Shows facial expressions; vocalizes by crying; laughs out loud
Begins cooing one syllable, vowel-like sounds ooh, ah, aw
ApproachestoLearning
Searches with eyes for sources of sounds; shows obvious preference for faces over objects
Stops sucking, listens attentively to sounds/voices
CognitiveDevelopment
Prefers to look at human faces and patterned objects; listens attentively to sounds and voices
Cries deliberately for assistance: uses new forms of interacting
EmotionalDevelopment
Reacts to discomfort and pain; shows distress, excitement, contentment, anger and delight
Can quiet self by sucking; shows feelings of security when held or talked to
Whimpers when angry, chortles when content
SocialDevelopment
Does not understand self as a separate person
Is comforted by the human face; quiets in response to being held
Makes eye contact, looks at a person alertly and directly
Shows affection by looking at a person while kicking, waving arms, and smiling
Appendix 4.02D
Infants 4 through 6 Months
PhysicalDevelopmentandHealth
On tummy, can lift head and chest using arms for support; may roll from side to side; by 6
months, can roll from tummy to back
Can maintain a sitting position for several minutes if given proper support
On back, can lift head and shoulders off surface; by 6 months, rolls from back to tummy
On tummy, moves by pushing with legs and arms
Gets up on hand and knees, but may fall forward
Is able to stand while supported
Babbles responsively; makes first consonant sounds p, b, m, l
Varies volume, pitch, and rate while babbling
Acquires sounds of native language in babbles
Grabs objects within reach, studies them intently
Explores toys by grasping, sucking, shaking, and banging
Likes to repeat enjoyable acts, like shaking a rattle
Can recognize people by their voices
Smiles and coos when talked to; smiles at self in mirror
Expresses delight, laughs
May begin to show fear
SocialDevelopment
Enjoys playing with children
Likes attention, cries for attention
Smiles at familiar faces, stares at strangers
Laughs when socializing
Responds to and imitates signs of affection
Builds trust when cries are answered, becomes anxious or demanding when cries are unanswered
Appendix 4.02E
Crawls awkwardly
Likes to bounce when in standing position
May be able to pull self to a standing position
Sits alone steadily for longer period of time
Improves hand-to-mouth coordination
May say mama or dada, but does not connect words with parents
Produces gestures to communicate
Points to desired objects
Enjoys looking at familiar books/pictures
Is curious about/looks for contents in a container
Has an increased desire for independence
Anticipates events
Imitates and acts
Empties, fells, and finds objects in a container
Finds objects that are totally hidden
May label objects in imitation of sounds, such as choo-choo for train
Exhibits fear of strangers
May show fear of heights
Shows fear of new sounds
SocialDevelopment
Shows desire for social contact
Prefers caregiver to strangers
Recognizes the social nature of mealtimes
Performs for others, repeats act if applauded
Appendix 4.02F
Stands alone; likes to walk holding caregivers hands
Climbs on furniture, up and down stairs
Likes to grasp feeding utensils and cup
Can release grasped object instead of dropping it
Is able to stand and pick up objects
May show preference for one hand
May be able to take off clothes
Finds partially hidden objects
Speaks first recognizable word
Adds actions to words
Begins to solve problems
Shows curiosity about objects, pictures in books
Can point to body parts
Can link specific acts or events to other events
Likes to look at pictures in a book
Puts nesting toys together correctly
Looks for things in a permanent location
Waves good-bye
Cries less often; expresses happiness, sadness, discomfort, anger
Recognizes the difference between good/naughty
Tries to avoid disappointment
Begins to develop self-identity and independence
Fears strange places
SocialDevelopment
Tests caregivers limits
Enjoys playing with siblings
Seeks approval, self-identity and independence
Demonstrates symbolic thought by showing love to a stuffed toy
Objects to having play stopped
Enjoys music, may mimic movements others make
Appendix 4.02G
Toddlers 1 to 3 Years
Average height: 32-36 inches

Average weight: 28 pounds
Walks independently
Climbs up stairs, walks down stairs
Pushes self on wheeled toys; pedals a tricycle
Stacks five to eight blocks
Scribbles with a crayon
Assembles a six-piece puzzle
Takes off, then later puts on, clothes
Understands simple questions
Expressive language develops from knowing four to ten words to being able to use simple short
two- or three-word sentences
Begins to use pronouns
Helps adults with tasks, such as setting table for mealtime; wants to learn self-help skills
Attention span is growing longer
Can attend or focus for longer spans; can search for favorite toy from day before
Can do pretend play alone
Can do simple puzzles of two or three shapes; can line up objects in a design
Can point to parts of a dolls body
Can put round and square blocks in correct places on pegboard
Tolerates various types of touch
Shows frustration at lack of abilities; shows signs of fear
Responds appropriately to reasonable choices
SocialDevelopment
Participates in parallel play
Resists cooperating or does the opposite of what is asked
Is eager to be a helper to the care provider
May have imaginary friends
Appendix 4.02H
Three-year-olds
age three
Average height: 37.7 inches
Average weight: 32.4 pounds
Body coordination improving
Can catch large balls
Has better drawing skills
Balances on one foot
LanguageDevelopmentandCommunication age three
Follows two-step directions
Answers how, who, why questionsComprehends pronouns she, he, him, and her
ApproachestoLearning age three
Describes or acts out a memory
Takes on pretend roles in play
Takes delight in beauty
Generates ideas and suggestions
CognitiveDevelopment age three
Recognizes and describes common shapes
Recognizes and identifies the role of community helpers
Counts while pointing to three objects
Expands knowledge of their environment through play
Uses one or more of the senses to learn
Can imitate and recall
EmotionalDevelopment age three
Is usually happy, cooperative, and agreeable
Feels less frustrated because motor skills have improved
Uses pretend play to express thoughts and feelings
Will play alone
May still be afraid of the dark
SocialDevelopment age three
Makes friends easily; is learning to share and take turns
Takes pride in doing things for others; responds to others feelings, shows empathy
Seeks status among peers
Recognizes the classroom as a caring place
Appendix 4.02I
Four- and Five-year-olds
Age four --- average height: 40.7 inches
Age four --- average weight: 36 pounds
Age five --- average height: 43.5 inches
Age five --- average weight: 40.5 pounds
Walks down stairs with alternating feet, climbs fences
Rides a bicycle, marches to music
LanguageDevelopmentandCommunication ages four and five
Develops knowledge about their world
Shows preferences for favorite books
Independently engages in reading behaviors
Has a vocabulary of 1500 to 2000 words
ApproachestoLearning ages four and five
Demonstrates persistence with challenging activities, showing a can do attitude
Demonstrates resilience in the face of challenge
Works toward completion of a task; seeks and accepts help or information
Appreciates and uses humor
Thinks more openly and creatively
CognitiveDevelopment ages four and five
Demonstrates awareness of ideas and language related to time
Understands the uses of forms of technology
Recognizes and duplicates simple patterns using manipulatives
Follows three commands in order
Understands the passage of time within their daily lives
Uses a variety of strategies to solve problems
Shares experiences, ideas, and thoughts
EmotionalDevelopment ages four and five

Strives for independence, resents being treated like a baby
Moody; tries to express emotions verbally; expresses and manages anger appropriately
Develops skills for coping with adversity and change
SocialDevelopment ages four and five
Is less cooperative than at age three; is proud of parents
Becomes more interested in friends than adults; may pick a best friend
Develops a sense of fairness and an awareness of personal behavior and its effects on others
Can balance their own needs with those of others in the group
Follows social rules, transitions, and routines once they are explained
Appendix 4.02J

Six- to Eight-year-olds
Age six --- average height 47 inches; average weight 47 pounds; lose baby teeth; replaced by first
permanent teeth; is constantly active; prefers running over walking; may have frequent minor tumbles
and scrapes
Age seven --- average height 48 inches; may look lanky due to thin body and long arms and legs;
becomes better coordinated; movements become more fluid and graceful; develops improved sense of
balance and timing
Age eight --- average height 50 inches; enjoys sports, especially boisterous games; enjoys skating,
skipping, and jumping rope; can handle simple tool; girls developing faster than boys
Age six --- asks more complex questions and wants detailed answers; can understand and follow rules;
begins reading, writing, and math at school
Age seven --- Has a longer attention span; favors reality; is less interested in fairy tales; enjoys reading
animal stories and science fiction; begins to understand cause and effect
Age eight --- enjoys chapter books; enjoys telling and hearing riddles and jokes; grammar skills are
improving; sentence structure includes using pronouns, plurals, and verb tenses
ApproachestoLearning ages six through eight
Uses multiple strategies and all available senses to explore the environment
Eager and interested in learning while playing, listening, questioning, and interacting
Chooses to participate in an increasing variety of experiences
Demonstrates a willingness to choose a variety of both familiar and new experiences
Is able to tell the difference between appropriate and inappropriate (or dangerous) risk-taking
Demonstrates resilience in the face of challenge; appreciates reading; uses humor
Works toward completion of a task despite distractions or interruptions
Develops a sense of purpose and the ability to follow through
Approaches tasks and experiences with increasing flexibility, imagination, and inventiveness
Age six --- concentrates on doing one activity for long periods of time; draws on everyday experiences
and applies knowledge to other situations; has improved memory; has a better understanding of the
concept of time; is inquisitive and eager to learn in school; may begin to understand concepts of
seriation, conservation, reversibility, and multiple classification; usually can distinguish between fantasy
and reality; can understand and follow rules
Age seven --- accepts idea of rules; knows harm may result if rules not followed; understands concept of
time; begins to show interest in collecting objects; likes to help teacher
Age eight --- understands the value of money and may be ready for an allowance; refines concepts of
seriation, conservation, reversibility, and multiple classification; attempts various strategies to solve
problem; forms hypotheses about cause and effect; thinks more openly and creatively by comparing and
contrasting solutions
Appendix 4.02J

Six- to Eight-year-olds, continued
Age six --- may feel less jealous of siblings as outside interests become more important; is still
egocentric, but is becoming interested in criticism upon failure, but recovers quickly; wants all of
everything; making choices is difficult; may have nightmares
Age seven --- may seem withdrawn and moody; may feel that everyone is against him or her; is sensitive
and feels hurt by criticism
Age eight --- shows more spirit, is willing to try just about anything; is very sensitive to what others think
SocialDevelopment ages six to eight

Becomes more socially independent
Chooses own friends
May still have a hard time waiting and taking turns
Wants desperately to be right and to win
Often expresses sense of humor in practical jokes and riddles
Begins to see others points of view
Learns to share and take turns
May feel jealous of siblings as outside interests become more important
Appendix 4.02KCharacteristics of Children by Age Groups and Domains
Nine- to Ten-year-olds
Continues to improve coordination
Improves sense of balance and timing
May develop particular physical skills
Enjoys organized game
Can run, kick, throw, catch and hit
Further refines fine motor skills
Is able to use hands skillfully
LanguageDevelopmentand
Communication
Has a vocabulary of about 5400 words
Has better use of language
Is able to converse well with adults
Uses more abstract words
Is enthusiastic about learning
Enjoys mysteries and secrets
May show less interest in TV programs
Is able to consider more than one conclusion to problems or choices
Understands more about truth and honesty
Likes to act in an adult manner
Likes games that involve mental competition
Enjoys quizzing parents, impressing them with new facts
May show interest in collecting certain objects
Age nine --- is relatively quiet; worries about everything; is sensitive to criticism; has definite
likes and dislikes
Age ten --- is happy with life in general; likes praise and encouragement; likes teacher
attention and approval
SocialDevelopment
Age nine --- begins a new drive for independence; resents being bossed by parents; shows
increased interest in friends and decreased interest in family; is interested in group activities
and concerns; often competes with others
Age ten --- likes people and is liked by others; is dependable and cooperative; obeys adults
easily and naturally; has a strong group spirit, but may be diminishing
Appendix 4.02L
Eleven- to Twelve-year-olds
Likes to test strength and daring
Becomes very conscious of overall appearance
Boys may grow little in height
Girls may experience a growth spurt
Girls may begin menstruation
Uses language to discuss feelings
Has vocabulary of about 7200 words
Enjoys lengthy conversations with adults
Likes active learning, reading aloud, reciting and science projects
May like group projects and classes based on cooperative learning
Is able to detect problems in daily situation and work out solutions
Grasps math concepts and applies them to daily activities
Understands concepts of seriation, conservation, reversibility, and multiple classification
Is less self-centered
May express great enthusiasm
If puberty has begun, may become moody and show signs of Emotional Development turmoil
SocialDevelopment
Likes to plan and carry out activities with a group
Is willing to reach out to others for friendship
Has improved social skills
Is patient and friendly with younger children
Has a strong desire to conform to peers in dress and behavior
Likes team games
Is becoming interested in opposite gender, girls more interested than boys

Domains

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Domains

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Appendix 4.

Infants Birth through

Infants 4 through 6 Months

Infants 7 through 9 Months

Infants 10 through 12 Months

Average height: 32-36 inches

Four- and Five-year-olds

EmotionalDevelopment ages four and five

Characteristics of Children by Age Groups and Domains

Characteristics of Children by Age Groups and Domains

SocialDevelopment ages six to eight

You might also like