1.1 Explain the pattern of development in the first three years of life and the skills typically acquired at each stage

This guide will help you answer 1.1 Explain the pattern of development in the first three years of life and the skills typically acquired at each stage.

Child development in the first three years follows a predictable sequence. Development is often described in areas such as physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional. Skills build on what the child has already learned. Growth may be faster in some areas than others, and every child may progress at a slightly different pace.

Understanding the typical pattern helps you recognise progress and spot delays early. Caring for children in these years means supporting them in every area of learning and development.

Birth to 6 Months

In the first half year of life, a baby experiences rapid changes. Most skills relate to basic needs, sensory awareness and early movement.

Physical Development

• Babies are born with reflexes which help them survive. Examples are sucking, grasping and startle reflexes.
• They have limited control over movement. Actions are jerky at first.
• By three months, head control improves. They begin to lift their head when lying on their stomach.
• At six months, many babies roll over from front to back and back to front.

Cognitive Development

• At this stage, thinking is linked to senses. Babies explore the world through touch, taste, sight, sound and smell.
• They can recognise familiar voices and faces.
• Simple cause and effect begins to show, for example smiling in response to a parent smiling.

Language Development

• Babies cry to communicate needs. Different cries may signal hunger, tiredness or discomfort.
• By around two months, cooing sounds appear.
• At four to six months, sounds become more varied, including squeals and babbling.

Social and Emotional Development

• Babies bond with caregivers through feeding, holding and talking.
• They respond to familiar voices with smiles.
• Eye contact lengthens and they may reach out to touch a face.

6 to 12 Months

During this period, babies gain greater mobility and begin to interact more actively with their environment.

Physical Development

• Sitting without support often happens around eight months.
• Crawling starts in many children between eight and ten months.
• Pulling to stand becomes common by the end of the first year.
• Fine motor skills improve. Babies can pass objects from one hand to another.

Cognitive Development

• They begin to understand object permanence. This means they know that things still exist when out of sight.
• They show curiosity by turning objects over, testing shapes and exploring through movement.
• Attention spans lengthen slightly.

Language Development

• Babbling becomes more structured. Repeated sounds like “ba-ba” appear.
• They respond to simple words and may recognise their own name.
• At twelve months, a child may say their first clear word.

Social and Emotional Development

• Babies may show separation anxiety when a caregiver leaves.
• They copy gestures and expressions.
• Play becomes more interactive, such as clapping hands in a game.

12 to 18 Months

Once walking begins, children explore their world more actively. Skills in all areas expand quickly.

Physical Development

• Most children walk unaided by fifteen months, though some may do it earlier or later.
• Climbing begins, often onto furniture.
• Fine motor skills include building small towers with blocks.
• They can feed themselves using fingers and may start using a spoon.

Cognitive Development

• Problem-solving skills grow. They may try different ways to open a container.
• They understand simple instructions, especially when combined with gestures.
• They show interest in books and pictures.

Language Development

• Word use increases. They may say several recognisable words.
• They can follow one-step requests, for example “give me the ball”.
• They may begin to name familiar objects or people.

Social and Emotional Development

• They seek approval and applause from adults.
• Sharing is limited; possessiveness over toys is common.
• They show affection to familiar people.

18 to 24 Months

In this period, children gain confidence in movement and language starts to grow quickly.

Physical Development

• Running begins, often with some falls.
• They can kick a ball.
• Fine motor skills include turning pages in a book and stacking blocks higher.
• Self-feeding skills improve and they begin to try holding a cup without help.

Cognitive Development

• They know names of common objects.
• Problem solving grows through trial and error.
• They start sorting shapes and colours with help.

Language Development

• Vocabulary expands rapidly, sometimes to around 50 words.
• Simple two-word sentences begin, such as “more juice”.
• They can follow two-step instructions like “go get the teddy and give it to me”.

Social and Emotional Development

• They begin pretend play, feeding a doll or making toy animals “walk”.
• Frustration can lead to tantrums as they test limits.
• They may start to play alongside other children in parallel play.

24 to 36 Months

By the age of two to three years, children show a wide range of skills. They become more independent and socially aware.

Physical Development

• They can ride toys with wheels.
• Jumping from small heights develops.
• Fine motor skills include using crayons to make lines and circles.
• Helping with dressing begins, often putting on simple items like hats or shoes.

Cognitive Development

• Memory improves. They recall familiar routines and events.
• They can match simple shapes and name basic colours.
• They start asking questions to gain information.

Language Development

• Sentences become longer and more complex.
• They begin using pronouns like “me” and “you”.
• They can take part in simple conversations, responding to questions.

Social and Emotional Development

• Group play begins, though sharing can still be difficult.
• They understand and begin to follow simple rules.
• They express a wider range of emotions and can begin to talk about how they feel.

Factors That Influence Development Patterns

Development is shaped by many factors. These include:

• Genetics, which influence physical growth and some abilities
• Health and nutrition, which affect stamina and readiness to learn
• Emotional security, which supports social and emotional growth
• Stimulation and interaction, which encourage cognitive and language skills

Supporting Development at Each Stage

Workers can promote healthy growth in several ways:

• Provide safe spaces for movement and exploration
• Speak regularly to the child to encourage language
• Play interactive games to build social skills
• Offer age-appropriate books, toys and activities

Observing and recording progress helps track skills and identify any concerns early.

Final Thoughts

The first three years of life are full of change, learning and growth. Each stage offers unique opportunities for skill building and interaction. Watching a child progress from newborn reflexes to running, talking and playing is a rewarding part of the role.

As someone supporting children, your knowledge of these patterns allows you to give the right support at the right time. Encouraging movement, language and social play while meeting emotional needs builds a strong foundation for later learning and development.