By Dr. Catherine Gant

Please read the general introduction to development to understand how to interpret these parameters. They are just a guide.  Children who were premature or ill may be delayed and catch up later. Generally speech and play are more important than gross motor skills in the younger child so if a 3 year old can’t ride a tricycle it is less worrying than them not speaking.  

If you have any specific queries do ask an expert, try not to compare your child with others in a negative way, all children are individuals and approach things differently, as do their parents.

At 5 years children are in the school system so we have not included developmental parameters beyond that point.

18 MONTHS

GROSS MOTOR. Runs unathletically, walks upstairs with one hand held, sits on a chair, walks without falling over, jumps using both feet, pulls and pushes toys while walking, carries toys.   

FINE MOTOR. Builds a tower of 3-4 one inch cubes, takes off socks, uses spoon well, points accurately with index finger.

DRAWING. Points to pictures in a book, scribbles holding a pencil in the fist.

SPEECH. Can point to 2 or 3 body parts if asked, approx 10 single words and imitated phrases e.g. ‘oh dear’.

SOCIAL. Domestic mimicry starts, feeds self.

2 YEARS

GROSS MOTOR. Walks up and down stairs holding on, runs, kicks ball without falling over, squats down and stands again, climbs on and off furniture.

FINE MOTOR. Turns door knob, builds a tower of 6-7 cubes, turns one page of a book at a time, does easy jigsaws, uses spoon well.

DRAWING. Scribbles lines and curved forms

SPEECH. Points to 4 body parts if asked, uses ‘I’ ‘you’ and ‘me’, asks for things (drink, biscuit) joins 2-3 words, talks incessantly.

SOCIAL. Mainly dry by day, puts on some clothes, plays in parallel with other children starts to mother a doll.

2 Ѕ YEARS

GROSS MOTOR. Jumps using two feet together, copies standing on tiptoes, walks upstairs without holding on.

FINE MOTOR. Builds a tower of 7-8 one-inch cubes.

DRAWING. Holds pencil in hand rather than fist, can crossed lines and a line.

SPEECH. Looking at a book can point if asked where something is and answers if you ask ‘what is that’ using simple objects. Knows full name and gender.

SOCIAL. Tidies up.

3 YEARS

GROSS MOTOR. Jumps off one step, rides a tricycle using the pedal, stands on one foot momentarily.

FINE MOTOR. Builds a tower of 9-10 cubes, sets the table.

DRAWING. Copies a circle and imitates a cross if shown, draws a crude person.

SPEECH. Knows a few nursery rhymes, counts to 10, knows his or her age and gender, increasing vocabulary, simple sentences, asks questions all the time.

SOCIAL. Dresses self apart from buttons, dry by night in most cases, dresses and undresses doll, talks to toys.

4 YEARS  

GROSS MOTOR. Walks up and down stairs using alternating feet on each step, hops on one foot, stands on one foot for a few seconds.

FINE MOTOR. Tower 10 cubes or more, uses scissors to cut out.

DRAWING. Copies a cross, draws a simple man with 3 parts as well as the head.

SPEECH. Knows which is bigger, asks questions all the time, tells funny stories, counts 4 objects, obeys simple commands (please get your shoes), knows primary colours.

SOCIAL. Can do buttons, goes to the loo alone night and day, imaginative play – being a doctor/mummy.

5 YEARS

GROSS MOTOR. Skips using both feet, runs on toes if shown, kicks throws and catches a ball, most can walk heel to toe.

FINE MOTOR. Can alphabet letters

DRAWING. Copies a triangle, draws a square if shown how, draws a house and a person with 6 or 7 parts.

SPEECH. Knows his age, knows morning and afternoons, obeys 3 order commands e.g. get your coat and the ball and put it by the door. Knows which is heavier.

SOCIAL. Ties shoelaces, names 4 colours at least.