Infants and toddlers experience quick development across several domains, some of which include reacting to outside stimuli, understanding that the way they act impacts the world around them, rolling over, crawling, walking, jumping, babbling, gesturing, speaking with simple words or phrases, helping with daily household activities, creating relationships with caregivers, and learning to play with other children.

Children in this age range are walking into a major culture shock: full school days, recess in the big yard, and no more nap time. As more of their time is spent outside of the home and in the classroom, their understanding of themselves, the world around them, and how they can traverse it grows more and more robust by the day.

Late childhood is a developmental period when children are engaged in learning school rules, respecting others, improving social relationships, and are learning to collaborate with others. In this period, children also learn competing, protecting their rights, and being responsible.

Pre-teen and young teen years see the beginnings of a surge towards independence and adulthood characterized by puberty, increased problem-solving skills, increased ability to take on responsibility, and increased importance/prioritization of peer relationships. At this stage, children are questioning the rules around them, beginning to establish their own sets of values, and recognizing other people’s points of view.

During the high school years, teens are becoming more independent as they approach adulthood. This stage is characterized by puberty, increased problem-solving skills, planning for the future, and increased importance of peer relationships.