Child Development Guide: First 6 Years & Parenting Tips

Expected Developmental Signs

• Makes Eye contact, smiles responsively, and gazes at faces
• Follows objects from side to side with their eyes
• Produces 'ooh’ and ‘ah’ sounds and responds to voices
• Lifts their head and turns it from side to side
• Lifts their head to 45-degree angle when lying on their tummy
• Holding their hands in a loose fist

Techniques To Support Development

• Frequently hug, touch, play with, maintain eye contact, and talk to the infant
• Respond promptly and consistently to the infant’s needs
• Use sound-making toys or slowly move a colorful cloth ball from side to side to encourage visual tracking

Recommended Toys

• Sound-making toys made of plastic or cloth
• Brightly colored cloth balls or yarn (e.g., red)

Expected Developmental Signs

• Smiles responsively or shows excitement when seeing caregivers or parents
• Makes cooing sound, laughs, and produces prolonged and high-pitched sounds when pleased
• Turns their head up to 180 degrees to follow objects
• Reaches for and grasps nearby objects
• Turns toward sounds
• Lifts their head up to 90-degree angle and chest up with arms support
• Holds their head steady when supported in a sitting position

Techniques To Support Development

• Talk, hug, sing, smile, laugh, and maintain eye contact to engage the infant’s attention
• Hold objects within arm’s reach to encourage reaching and grasping 
• Provide toys that are easy to hold and manipulate 
• Talk to an infant while they are in a prone position to encourage lifting their head and upper body to follow your gaze, then allow them to slowly lower themselves back down 

Recommended Toys

• Soft dolls
• Brightly colored cloth balls or yarn (e.g., red)
• Baby rattles made of plastic or cloth that are easy to hold and safe
• Colorful baby mobiles

Expected Developmental Signs    

• Recognizes familiar caregivers and cries to seek their attention
• Shows interest in their surroundings and responds to other’ voices
• Grasps objects and transfers them from one hand to the other
• Turn toward a voice when their name is called
• Mimics playful sounds
• Rolls over from tummy to back and vice versa
• Pushes up their body up while lying prone, straightening both arms
• Sits with support, using their hands for balance  

Techniques To Support Development    

• Smiles, talks, and engage in simple interactions with the infant, or sing songs with high and low-pitched sounds
• Use pointing gesture to draw the infant’s interest to their surroundings
• Read picture books with colorful illustrations to the infant
• Encourage the infant to reach for and pick up toys
• Place the infant in a prone position, then use toys or call their name to gain attention. Gradually move the toy above their head to encourage them to lift their head, straighten their arms, and raise their chest off the floor  

Recommended Toys

• Plastic or soft cloth rattles
• Sound-making sensory balls
• Soft colorful balls or bright yarn toys
• Colorful children’s books

Expected Developmental Signs    

• Imitating simple actions such as waving hello or goodbye, playing peekaboo, and pointing to objects they desire
• Holding objects comfortably in both hands 
• Using a thumb-fingers to pick objects up from the floor
• Following simple commands with gestures, such as clapping hands or waving hello
• Producing monosyllabic sounds, such as “ja ja” or “yumyum”, and mimicking certain words, such as “mum”, “go” or “yum”
• Crawling, standing with support, and transitioning from lying to sitting 

Techniques To Support Development    

• Use simple words together with actions during play (e.g., waving while saying “hello”)
• Engage in interactive games like peekaboo or sensory play that involves gentle touch 
• Encourage the child to pick up objects, such as wooden blocks, small pieces of food, or colorful toys by using both hands
• Talk frequently to the infant and introduce new sounds or songs to promote imitation
• Provide a safe space for crawling and encourage standing with support using stable furniture like tables or sofas

Recommended Toys

• Colorful wooden blocks or safe, easy-to-hold toys
• Toys that can be grasped and manipulated with one hand

Expected Developmental Signs

• Using objects appropriately, such as holding a spoon for eating 
• Picking up small objects using a refined pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger)
• Understanding simple verbal commands without gesture, such as saying hello, goodbye, no, stop 
• Communicating needs through actions or sounds, such as pointing to be picked up or pulling on adult’s clothing
• Standing independently for short periods (up to about 2 minutes at a time)

Techniques To Support Development

• Encourage role play and imitation using everyday household activities, such as pretending to comb hair, drink water, or brush teeth
• Offer small, soft pieces of food and guide the child in self-feeding; gently assist hand movements when needed
• Provide small, safe toys that can be picked up using fingertips to refine fine motor skills
• Continue using simple verbal commands paired with actions during play 
• Support standing practice by holding the child initially, then gradually releasing support as balance improves 

Recommended Toys

• Household objects, such as combs, cups, or spoons
• Small and safe toys

Expected Developmental Signs

• Using more complex objects appropriately, such as pretending to feed a doll 
• Imitating actions, including simple household tasks
• Holding a pencil or crayon and making a line on paper
• Following simple verbal commands without gestures, such as bringing a cup to a caregiver
• Picking up objects when asked and using single meaningful words
• Standing independently for up to 10 seconds

Techniques To Support Development

• Encourage role play, such as pretending to feed a doll
• Teach and support early drawing or scribbling activities 
• Help the child learn to identify and select objects by placing two items (e.g., a cup and a ball) and asking them to point to or pick the correct one
• Introduce and reinforce the names of everyday objects in the child’s environment 
• Encourage standing and early walking in a safe and supportive setting

Recommended Toys

• Household objects, such as combs, cups, or spoons
• Pencils, crayons, paper
• Small and safe toys, such as toy cars

Expected Developmental Signs

• Showing interest in objects that others point to
• Drinking from a cup without spilling
• Helping with simple household tasks
• Turning pages of a board book
• Building simple structure (e.g., a two-block tower) 
• Pointing to body parts and using up to four meaningful words 
• Beginning to run

Techniques To Support Development

• Point to objects in the child’s environment and name them to build vocabulary
• Start by pointing to your own body parts, then encourage the child to identify theirs
• Encourage early reading by showing how to turn pages in a book
• Support building activities using blocks or safe household objects
• Hold the child’s hands while practicing walking or running, and encourage play with other children

Recommended Toys

• Board books or hardcover children’s books
• Wooden blocks or small, safe objects that can be easily held and stacked

Expected Developmental Signs

• Using a spoon to eat independently, taking off their own shorts, and washing and drying their hands
• Engaging in more complex imitation and role-play activities
• Demonstrating problem-solving skills, such as using a stick to reach an object or standing on a chair to access items
• Building tower of 5-6 blocks
• Pointing to at least 7 body parts correctly
• Responding to simple commands or expressing refusal
• Speaking in short phrases of 2-3 meaningful words
• Walking up steps with support, kicking a ball, jumping with both feet

Techniques To support Development

• Encourage independence by teaching the child to wash and dry their hands before meals, use a spoon, and remove their own clothing
• Provide opportunities for problem-solving, allowing the child to explore solution independently, and offering guidance when needed
• Teach appropriate behavior by introducing simple concepts of right and wrong, while allowing the child to make choices 
• Support imaginative play through role-playing activities
• Use songs and interactive play to help the child learn and identify body parts
• Talk about the child’s surroundings using pictures and ask simple questions to promote language development
• Guide the child in practicing stair climbing and jumping with both feet in a safe environment

Recommended Toys

• Simple jigsaw puzzles and colored wooden blocks in various shapes and sizes
• Balls for kicking and throwing
• Picture books and simple story books
• Dolls or teddy bears

Expected Developmental Signs

• Helping with simple household tasks
• Taking off shoes or shirts independently
• Following rules during group play under adult supervision 
• Engaging in more complex role-play activities
• Building tower of 8 blocks
• Imitating others to draw a circle
• Following 2-step commands (e.g., placing a cup on the table before bringing a toy)
• Stating their name, gender, and toilet needs
• Retelling simple events in short sequences (3–4 sentences), and asking basic questions such as who, what, where, and why
• Standing on one leg for 2–3 seconds at a time
• Walking upstairs with alternating feet and riding a tricycle

Techniques To Support Development

• Encourage participation in simple household tasks, such as tidying up toys or sweeping 
• Engage in interactive games like hide-and-seek and promote play with peers under supervision
• Teach the child to draw circles
• Ask frequent, simple questions (e.g., “What is this?”  or “What song is this?”) to stimulate thinking and language
• Read stories regularly and ask questions to check understanding
• Encourage more elaborate role play through guided interaction and open-ended questions 
• Support balance skills by helping the child practice standing on one leg, gradually reducing assistance as stability improves 

Recommended Toys

• Simple jigsaw puzzles, colored wooden blocks, and toys with more complex shapes
• Storybooks with slightly more detailed and engaging narratives 
• Role play sets (e.g., kitchen sets, doctor kits)
• Dolls or teddy bears

Expected Developmental Signs

• Playing cooperatively with other children
• Dressing independently, including managing clothing with buttons
• Managing personal hygiene after bowel movements
• Copying four-sided shapes and drawing people with at least 3 body parts
• Distinguishing between concepts such as short/long, big/small
• Telling complete short stories using long sentences
• Answering questions about what to do in certain situations (e.g., what to do when feeling hot, hungry, or unwell)
• Correctly identifying at least 4 colors 
• Counting and organizing objects in sequence (5–10 items)
• Hopping and walking upstairs using alternating feet 

Techniques To Support Development

• Provide opportunities for group play with peers of a similar age
• Encourage independence in daily tasks, such as dressing and buttoning clothes
• Use drawings activities to stimulate imagination and creativity
• Engage in hands-on play, such as using playdough or clay, building structures with blocks and completing simple jigsaw puzzles (4–8 pieces)
• Discuss daily events or story content, and ask problem-solving questions (e.g., “What should you do if you feel hungry?”) 
• Practice gross motor skills by encouraging safe hopping and jumping on one leg 

Recommended Toys

• Playdough or clay
• 4–8-piece jigsaw puzzles
• Crayons and colored pencils
• Colored wooden blocks for counting and sequencing
• Beads in various sizes (small, medium, and large)
• Age-appropriate storybooks
• Toys that involve twisting, assembling, or building

Expected Developmental Signs

• Playing according to rules, dressing independently, and brushing their own teeth
• Engaging in imaginative and creative role-play activities
• Holding a pencil correctly, drawing people with at least 6 body parts, and copying triangles 
• Communicating effectively and asking relevant, meaningful questions
• Recognizing letters, counting up to at least 5 objects and counting numbers up to 20
• Hopping from one foot to the other, jumping over short objects, walking in a straight line with good balance

Techniques To Support Development

• Encourage role play with peers (e.g., school or hospital scenarios)
• Provide opportunities for the child to play with peers and to take on both leading and following roles during group play
• Teach proper pencil grip and support drawing and coloring activities, including learning a wider range of colors 
• Use games that promote vocabulary development and understanding of word meanings
• Read stories together and engage the child with questions and discussions
• Practice balance and coordination through activities such as standing on one leg, walking heel-to-toe in a straight line, and safely jumping over objects (e.g., rope, ruler, paper or small barrier)

Recommended Toys

• Sketchbooks and coloring books
• Crayons, colored pencils, and watercolors
• Small building blocks or Lego
• Role-play sets
• Age-appropriate storybooks

Expected Developmental Signs

• Following rules during play, helping with household tasks and tying shoelaces independently
• Drawing squares with intersecting lines (see image below)
• Writing simple letters of the alphabet
• Understanding the difference between right and left, counting up to 30, explaining themselves appropriately and understanding concepts of size, weight, shape, and distance
• Walking in straight line, following other’s footsteps, and walking both forwards and backwards

Techniques To Support Development

• Encourage participation in household tasks, such as sweeping or folding clothes
• Engage in games with simple rules, such as snakes and ladders, dominoes, or UNO
• Teach self-care skills, including dressing independently, using buttons and zippers, and tying shoelaces
• Support drawing and coloring activities with more detailed work, while encouraging creativity and discussion about their artwork
• Read regularly with the child to promote familiarity with letters and early reading skills
• Practice balance and coordination through activities such as walking along a straight line and walking backwards 

Recommended Toys

• Age-appropriate storybooks
• Games with simple rules (e.g., snakes and ladders, dominoes or UNO)
• Jigsaw puzzles with 20–30 pieces
• Sketchbooks, coloring books, colored pencils, and watercolors