Developmental milestones from 3 to 6 years of age
The individual child development
Child development is first and foremost individual. Each child develops skills in different areas of development at his or her own pace. As a parent, you may be wondering how to tell if your child is developing at an age-appropriate rate. Here is an overview of the skills children acquire at a given age level according to the child development milestones. Please note, however, that this overview is not complete and a child's individual progression may differ from the milestones.
Why are there development areas?
The description of developmental areas enables targeted observation and documentation of child development, provides orientation for all persons involved in education and care, and enables needs-based support. The goal is to support and promote each child in his or her development in the best possible way by addressing his or her individual needs and abilities.
Each child develops uniquely
In everyday life, it happens again and again that parents compare their child with others. Such comparisons in the different areas of development among children of the same age can lead to uncertainty among parents. You may also wonder: when do we talk about "age-appropriate" development? And what should my child be able to do at what point?
These questions are important. But it's also important to know that there is no universal answer. Child development is an individual, continuous and dynamic process.
One child's motor development is more advanced, another's language acquisition. One child learns to walk, run and hop faster, the other child may speak more fluently and more earlier. Personality also plays a role: some children are more reluctant or more joyful when trying new things.
These differences are part of children's individual development and should not worry you as a parent. Development takes time and patience to try out and change skills that have been learned. The development and acquisition of skills also do not proceed evenly in all areas of development.
The developmental domains include skills that are divided into
- Fine and gross motor skills (e.g., grasping, crawling, walking)
- Sensory skills (e.g., vision, hearing, coordination, and balance)
- Cognitive skills (e.g. Language, memory, recognition of meaning)
- Social-emotional skills (eg, recognition of emotions, empathy, emotion and impulse regulation)
- Aesthetic skills (eg, musicality, creativity, artistic design, perseverance) and
- Language skills (eg, comprehension and expression).
Where to find help and advice?
If you are concerned about whether your child's development is age-appropriate or you do not notice any progress over a longer period of time, it may be advisable to consult a pediatrician.
Regular U examinations also serve to identify possible developmental delays at an early stage and to initiate appropriate developmental measures. If a developmental delay is detected, the pediatrician will provide a consultation and prescribe appropriate support measures such as speech therapy, occupational therapy or other treatment methods and refer the child to the appropriate specialized services.
If you feel uncertain or need support and advice in connection with your child's behavior, qualified partners are available at educational counseling centers. Educational counseling is a free service and is subject to confidentiality. You can find suitable contacts in your area via the Counseling Center Search of the Federal Conference for Educational Counseling (bke). You can also online choose to exchange information in groups or receive individual counseling.
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