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Milestones for Children: Life Skills and Values > Academics

Children develop at their own pace, but certain milestones are generally expected at different ages. Honestly as mothers we are soft and we want to give everything to our children. But in the process of doing that we tend to forget the damage we are doing in developing their personality and independence. Its time to stop and reflect on our actions and don't jump into helping them often because more than good it has a negative impact on children.





Here is a breakdown of key developmental milestones and focus on life skills by age group:


Infancy (0-1 year)

  • Physical Development:

  • Lifts head when on stomach

  • Rolls over

  • Sits without support

  • Crawls

  • Stands with support

  • Walks with assistance

  • Cognitive Development:

  • Explores objects with hands and mouth

  • Recognizes familiar people

  • Responds to name

  • Social and Emotional Development:

  • Smiles at familiar faces

  • Shows distress when separated from caregivers

  • Enjoys playing peek-a-boo

Toddlers (1-3 years)

  • Physical Development:

  • Walks independently

  • Begins to run

  • Climbs stairs with support

  • Uses utensils to eat

  • Starts potty training

  • Cognitive Development:

  • Recognizes and names common objects

  • Understands simple instructions

  • Begins to sort shapes and colors

  • Social and Emotional Development:

  • Shows defiant behavior

  • Engages in parallel play

  • Begins to show empathy

Preschool (3-5 years)

  • Physical Development:

  • Hops and stands on one foot

  • Catches a bounced ball

  • Dresses and undresses with minimal help

  • Cognitive Development:

  • Counts and recognizes numbers

  • Understands the concept of time

  • Engages in pretend play

  • Social and Emotional Development:

  • Takes turns in games

  • Shows a wide range of emotions

  • Forms friendships

Early School Age (6-8 years)

  • Physical Development:

  • Rides a bike

  • Improves hand-eye coordination

  • Participates in sports

  • Cognitive Development:

  • Reads simple books

  • Solves basic math problems

  • Understands the concept of cause and effect

  • Social and Emotional Development:

  • Develops a sense of independence

  • Understands and follows rules

  • Shows a desire to please friends and be like them

Middle School Age (9-12 years)

  • Physical Development:

  • Gains strength and coordination

  • Shows interest in physical activities

  • Cognitive Development:

  • Thinks more logically and abstractly

  • Develops problem-solving skills

  • Understands complex instructions

  • Social and Emotional Development:

  • Becomes more peer-oriented

  • Develops a sense of self-identity

  • Starts to manage emotions better

Adolescence (13-18 years)

  • Physical Development:

  • Undergoes puberty

  • Reaches physical maturity

  • Cognitive Development:

  • Thinks abstractly and critically

  • Plans for the future

  • Develops strong problem-solving and decision-making skills

  • Social and Emotional Development:

  • Seeks independence

  • Forms deeper relationships

  • Develops a sense of personal values and beliefs

Focus on Life Skills by Age Group


Infancy (0-1 year)

  • Communication Skills:

  • Respond to baby's coos and babbling

  • Basic Trust and Security:

  • Establish routines

  • Provide a safe environment

  • Motor Skills:

  • Tummy time to strengthen muscles

  • Grasping toys to improve hand-eye coordination

  • Sensory Exploration: 

  • Playing with textures, sounds, and colors to stimulate senses


Toddlers (1-3 years)

  • Self-Help Skills:

  • Encourage feeding with utensils

  • Begin potty training

  • Social Skills:

  • Teach sharing and turn-taking

  • Feeding: 

  • Using a spoon and drinking from a cup

  • Identifying and asking for different foods

  • Personal Hygiene: 

  • Brushing teeth with assistance

  • Washing hands with guidance


Preschool (3-5 years)

  • Independence:

  • Encourage dressing and undressing

  • Introduce simple chores

  • Emotional Regulation:

  • Teach coping mechanisms for frustration

  • Basic Self-Care:

  • Brushing hair

  • Learning to use the toilet independently

  • Organizational Skills: 

  • Keeping toys and books in order

  • Following simple daily routines



Early School Age (6-8 years) :

  • Assign age-appropriate chores responsibility

  • Teach time management with homework

  • Social Skills:

  • Promote teamwork and collaboration

  • Time Management: 

  • Using a calendar for schoolwork and activities

  • Completing homework on time

  • Basic Financial Skills: 

  • Saving money in a piggy bank

  • Understanding basic concepts of spending and saving


Middle School Age (9-12 years)

  • Critical Thinking:

  • Encourage problem-solving activities

  • Teach budgeting with allowance

  • Self-Discipline:

  • Set goals and track progress

  • Advanced Chores:

  • Helping with meal preparation Doing laundry with supervision

  • Personal Responsibility: 

  • Managing school assignments and personal hygiene independently


Adolescence (13-18 years)

  • Independence:

  • Teach cooking and basic household management

  • Encourage part-time jobs or volunteering

  • Life Planning:

  • Discuss career and education goals

  • Teach financial literacy and budgeting

  • Job Skills: 

  • Building a resume

  • Learning job interview techniques

  • Advanced Financial Skills: 

  • Managing a bank account

  • Understanding credit and debt



Focusing on these milestones and life skills helps children develop into well-rounded and capable individuals, preparing them for future challenges and opportunities.


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Cheers to Joyful Parenting

Swati

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