Child development
Every child on their own clock.
The nine developmental stages The Neighbourhood follows from birth to six years, across motor, communication, social/emotional and cognitive growth — no percentiles, no rankings, no comparison to other children.
Milestones drawn from WHO and Indian Academy of Pediatrics developmental frameworks.
Last updated
0–3 months
Newborn
Every baby is unique. These milestones are general guides — premature babies may reach them later.
Motor
Lifts head briefly when on tummy
Communication
Cries to express needs
Social & Emotional
Stares at faces intently
Cognitive
Follows moving objects with eyes
4–6 months
Early explorer
Tummy time is crucial now — aim for 30 min spread through the day to build neck and core strength.
Motor
Holds head steady without support
Communication
Babbles (ba, da, ma sounds)
Social & Emotional
Recognises familiar people
Cognitive
Interested in mirror reflections
7–9 months
On the move
Separation anxiety often starts here — completely normal! Peek-a-boo games help babies learn you always return.
Motor
Sits without support
Communication
Imitates sounds and gestures
Social & Emotional
Shows stranger anxiety
Cognitive
Searches for hidden objects
10–12 months
Almost toddler
First words vary hugely. 1–3 clear words by 12 months is typical — point and name things constantly to boost vocabulary.
Motor
Stands alone briefly
Communication
Says 1–3 words with meaning
Social & Emotional
Imitates actions in play
Cognitive
Understands object permanence
1–2 years
Toddler
Tantrums peak around 18–24 months — emotions are big but language is still catching up. Consistent routines help enormously.
Motor
Walks independently
Communication
Vocabulary grows to 50+ words by 2
Social & Emotional
Parallel play alongside others
Cognitive
Sorts by shape and colour
2–3 years
Little communicator
Speech should be understood by strangers about 75% of the time by age 3. If not, a speech assessment is worthwhile.
Motor
Jumps with both feet
Communication
Speaks in 3–4 word sentences
Social & Emotional
Begins cooperative play
Cognitive
Names colours and counts to 3
3–4 years
Creative thinker
Imaginative play is a sign of healthy development — resist jumping in to ‘fix’ their stories. Let fantasy unfold.
Motor
Hops on one foot
Communication
Speaks in full sentences (4–6 words)
Social & Emotional
Shows interest in friendships
Cognitive
Counts to 10
4–5 years
School ready
School readiness is about social skills as much as academic ones. Sharing, listening, and managing frustration matter most.
Motor
Skips and gallops
Communication
Speaks clearly to strangers
Social & Emotional
Has preferred friends
Cognitive
Counts to 20
5–6 years
Young learner
Children this age learn best through play. Reading together daily for 20 min has an outsized impact on literacy.
Motor
Rides a bicycle (with training wheels)
Communication
Tells detailed stories
Social & Emotional
Distinguishes real from pretend
Cognitive
Writes letters and simple words
No percentiles. No rankings. No other children.
This page is general information, not a substitute for your paediatrician. Concerned about something specific? See our FAQ or the editorial policy behind this page.