Understanding early childhood development is essential for parents, carers, and educators. The early years lay the foundation for a child’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social growth. By recognising the key stages, adults can provide the right support at the right time, helping children thrive.
1. Infancy (0–12 months)
The first year of life is one of rapid growth and change. Newborns begin by developing basic reflexes such as sucking, grasping, and reacting to sounds. As the months progress, they start to gain better control of their bodies, learning to hold their heads up, roll over, sit, crawl, and eventually stand or take their first steps.
Cognitive development at this stage involves recognising familiar faces, reacting to voices, and beginning to understand cause and effect — for example, realising that crying results in attention. Emotional bonds form through close interactions, especially with primary caregivers, creating a sense of safety and attachment.
2. Toddlerhood (1–3 years)
Toddlers are explorers. Their improved mobility and growing independence make this a time of discovery. Physically, they refine walking, climbing, and coordination skills. Language development accelerates, with toddlers going from simple words to short phrases and eventually full sentences.
Socially and emotionally, toddlers begin to show a wider range of emotions and may start expressing preferences and opinions — often forcefully. They may struggle with sharing and taking turns, but they are also learning to engage with others and imitate adult behaviours. This is also the age when tantrums may become more frequent due to emotional regulation still being under development.
3. Preschool Age (3–5 years)
This stage is marked by a significant leap in learning and imagination. Physically, children become more agile, mastering tasks like hopping, skipping, drawing, and using scissors. Their vocabulary expands dramatically, and they begin to use language to explain thoughts, ask questions, and interact with others.
Preschoolers engage in more complex social play, developing friendships and learning important social skills like empathy, cooperation, and problem-solving. Emotionally, they gain better control over their feelings and can follow more structured routines.
Cognitive skills also develop, with children starting to understand concepts such as counting, colours, and time. Their curiosity is endless, often resulting in a barrage of “why” questions.
4. Early Primary Years (5–7 years)
While often considered the start of formal education, this stage still falls within early childhood development. Children further refine their fine and gross motor skills, becoming more confident in activities such as writing, sports, and independent dressing.
Their thinking becomes more logical and structured. They start understanding rules, consequences, and begin to plan ahead. Friendships deepen, and they become more aware of how their actions affect others. Emotional development at this age includes greater independence and self-confidence, though they still need reassurance and encouragement.
Supporting Each Stage
Each child develops at their own pace, but knowing these typical stages helps adults offer the right kind of support — from sensory-rich play in infancy to encouragement in creative and problem-solving tasks for preschoolers, as offered in this independent school in Surrey. Early childhood development sets the stage for lifelong learning and wellbeing, making it a critical time in every child’s life.
