Baby development milestones and stages come thick and fast in their first two years, here's what to expect.

From stay-still newborn to always-moving toddler. The baby developmental stages are basically a timeline of every milestone your baby will hit in the first year of their life. Like when do babies smile, or when do babies start rolling over? Every baby is different, and it's true that every child development looks different for every child but as a general rule the timing is usually the same, give or take a month or two.

New parents tend to find themselves asking ‘when will my baby smile?’ when will my baby sit up?’, or 'when will my baby crawl?' So we have all the answers for you here...

Baby development milestones

Baby development milestones, like learning to sleep through the night, come thick and fast in the first two years and carry on right up to age 5. There are three stages of baby development milestones;

• Newborn - During the first month of life, newborns exhibit automatic responses to external stimuli Such as turning their head toward your hand if you stroke their cheek. Or clasp your finger when you place it in their hand. A newborn is able to see close-up objects and recognise certain smells. They also cry to indicate a need.
• Infant - Infants develop quickly in the first year of life. At three to six months they can control their head movements and bring their hands together. By six to nine months old they can sit without support, babble and respond to their name. Between nine and twelve months old, they can pick up objects, crawl, and maybe stand with support.
• Toddler - The ages between one and three years, they learn to walk without help, climb stairs and jump in one place. They can hold a crayon, stack one block on top of another, and follow simple instructions. 

When do babies smile?

It can be hard in the first few weeks when you feel like you’re giving and giving – every single feed, change, bath time – and you’re getting nothing back from your baby. Not even a smile.

Well, worry not, by the time baby is between one and a half to three months old you should see a cute baby smile on those little rosebud lips. Before this age you may think you are getting a smile, but did you know that all newborns are born with what’s known as a ‘reflex smile’?

According to doctors, this smile is similar to the jerky arm and leg movements your baby's body experiences as it goes through the equipment-testing process. Soon enough, though, your little one will flash their first real smile, on purpose.

Telling the difference between a reflex and a real smile is all about timing and duration. As a rule, a reflex smile tends to be shorter and occurs randomly, when the baby is sleeping or tired.

But a real smile, on the other hand, occurs in response to something, like seeing your face or hearing a familiar voice. If your little one hasn’t smiled yet, don’t worry. Try talking to your baby more often, making eye contact, blowing raspberries, and smiling throughout the day.

Though babies are developing their ability to regulate their emotions and may look away if they are feeling too over stimulated – don’t take it personally. Just give them a break and try again later.

When do babies crawl?

Your baby may start learning to crawl between six and nine months old.

Babies tend to learn to crawl after extensive time on their tummy. This ‘tummy time’ is important for baby as it strengthens core muscles needed to become mobile.

Though, not all babies like 'tummy time', so to fit it into the day simple flip baby over onto their tummy after changing their nappy.

The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) advises that, initially, tummy time only has to be for a short period, ie 5-10 seconds. It's best for baby if you slowly build it up by 5-10 seconds each time you do it.

NCT also suggest only doing tummy time if baby isn't hungry, tired or too full. Also, put a stop tummy time if your baby becomes distressed and shows signs they're not enjoying it.

Never leave your  baby alone during tummy time, and it helps to put a toy in their eye line or in reach for them to focus on.

At around six months old you’ll notice that baby will lie on their tummy and lift head and chest up, using arms for support.

By the time your baby hits the year milestone they’re likely to be crawling well and exploring surroundings at will.

It’s worth remembering that some babies never crawl. They miss this milestone out all together, and go from bum shuffling to walking instead.

When do babies start teething?

You can expect your little one to start showing signs of gnashers around four to six months old - it's one of the most painful of the baby developmental stages. Though it could be earlier or later – some babies won’t have any toothy pegs until 12 months old.

Not all babies show signs, but usually the first red teething flags are that your baby may be teething is excessive drool and continued chewing on their fists/rattle/muslin//you – basically whatever they can get in their mouth at the time.

According to the NHS here may also be a chin rash, sleep problems, low grade fever and generally more fretful than usual – though if you are concerned at all, always see your GP.

Typically, the first two teeth are the bottom centre incisors. Followed by the top two middle teeth.

Your baby should have their full set of baby teeth - that’s 20 – by the time they are three years old.

What will my baby look like?

As good as the scans are – there really is no way to know for sure - but genetics from both parents have a lot to do with it.

'He’s the spitting image of his father' is usually one of the first things said about a newborn baby.

According to parenting folklore - though it was scientifically backed in a 1955 study by Nicholas Christenfeld and Emily Hill who said that newborns often resemble their fathers - it's nature's way of showing a biological connection.

Eye colour

Just because both parents have the same colour eyes that doesn’t always mean the child will have the same.

Two brown-eyed parents can have a blue-eyed baby. And, while less common, two blue-eyed parents could get a brown-eyed baby.

Eye colour is not as simple as ‘dominant’ genes, it’s determined by many genes. Traditionally dominant genes were thought to made the end product and recessive ones did not. Now gene experts know that sometimes they both do.

Dimples

While considered very cute, dimples are also a dominant trait. If only one parent has the feature it could possibly pass on to baby. Similarly, your child may inherit your or your partner's freckles, cleft chin, cowlick, widow's peak, rolling tongue, etc.

Height

Generally, the rule of thumb is to take the parents' average height and then add two inches for a boy and subtract two inches for a girl.

Height is a polygenic trait—no one gene acts alone—plus, nurture factors such as poor nutrition could prevent a child from reaching their potential height.

When do babies sit up

The art of sitting up is through mastering head control. From about four months onwards your baby developmental timeline will see neck and head muscles developing and strengthening at a rapid rate.

According to the experts at Bounty, most babies can sit without cushion props somewhere between five and seven months.

By eight months old a baby can sit for several minutes with no support and by nine months almost all babies can do this pretty well.

Keep in mind that with premature babies this milestone may well be reached at a later date than their baby peers.

When can babies see?

Interestingly in early baby developmental stages newborn babies aren’t born knowing how to see – the visual part of their brain has to work at it, their vision is less 20/20, more 20/400.

For a newborn it’s a perfectly blurry world for the first few months. Which is just as well as a newborn can only hold gaze for a few seconds at a time.

In the first week after birth and up to 3 months, babies can focus only on objects and people that are close up. The distance is no more than 12 inches from their face. That’s usually about the space between baby and the person feeding.

Around 3 weeks of age, baby can begin to hold her gaze slightly longer, averaging about 10 seconds instead of just a few.

Don’t be alarmed, though, if your newborn’s eyes appear to cross or wander. It’s common for baby’s eyes to cross during the first eight weeks, and wander up until baby is 4 months of age.

When do babies laugh?

There’s something about the sound of a baby’s laugh that makes your insides go all gooey and your voice goes all high-pitched and excitable.

On the scale of baby development they tend to let out their first little chuckle around the ages of three or four months old. But all babies’ are different and develop at different times.

Though, if your little one is cooing and gurgling, it may be soon. Those early noises are baby’s way of experimenting with their voice and sounds and learning how to move their mouth and tongue.

Similar to smiling, there is such a thing as reflexive laughing, where very young babies will laugh from nowhere. But a real life is in response to something, such as a tickle or funny sounds.

When do babies talk?

It will be during the first two years of the baby developmental stages when your baby will learn to talk.

But, as the specialists at Great Ormond Street explain, before they utter their first word baby is learning language all the time. At first baby begins with noises, using the tongue, lips and palate as well as any toothy pegs to make sounds against.

Soon these sounds and light hearted babbles make up short words. By about 10 months a mama or dada may slip out – though this could also be as early as six months.

When your baby babbles make sure to encourage this by reading and singing with baby.

Related articles:

• When do babies start rolling over?
• Baby teeth chart
• Child development stages: ages 0 - 16 years

Video of the week:

When it comes to child development stages: ages 1-5, you're going to want as much information as possible - forewarned is forearmed.

Yep, these child development stages: ages 1-5 can be tricky, there's just so much learning and growing going on in your little one's life.

And, although all children develop at their own pace, there are commonly accepted milestones during the child development stages: ages 1-5 which give you an idea of your child's progression, in areas as diverse as communication, physical growth, social skills and learning.

Child development stages: Age one Child development stages: Age two Child development stages: Age three Child development stages: Age four Child development stages: Age five

It's important to note that the milestones mentioned in the child development stages: Ages 1-5 are averages. And that development can be affected by a number of genetic and environmental variables, so there's no need to panic if your child hasn't met with all of the stages listed below.

If you have any strong concerns about your child during the child development stages: ages 1-5, speak to their doctor for further tests and advice.

Child development stages: Ages 1-5

Child development stages: Age one

Most parents during the child development stages: ages 1-5 their child's first birthday as an important milestone as it marks the transition from baby to toddler.

Your child will go through a period of rapid development in the 12 months between their first and second birthday - and parents usually can't wait for their little one to learn to walk and talk. But remember that children develop at their own pace, so try not to compare your child with others.

'Most children will take their first steps and say their first words by the time they are 18 months old,' says Geraldine Butler, who is a health visitor and author of Teach Yourself Successful Potty Training.

'Whether they are bottom shuffling, crawling or walking, many children will be mobile by their first birthday. This is the time to think about home safety, so that your child won't come to any harm as they explore your home.'

Physical changes

While you can expect your child to go through some dramatic physical developments during the child development stages: ages 1-5, it's really the first 12 months the biggest changes happen.

As they learn to walk, run and climb stairs. Improved muscle strength and balance mean that your child will probably be able to stand unsupported for a few moments soon after their first birthday.

Around this time they will also learn how to pick up small objects between their thumb and index finger. This is known as the 'pincer grip' and will make it possible for your child to feed themselves, scribble with a crayon and build towers of blocks

Communication

Most children, at this stage of the child development stages: ages 1-5, will be able to use one or two words by their first birthday, 6-20 recognisable words by the time they are 18 months old, and will have a vocabulary of around 50 single words by the time they turn two.

Around this time, they may also start to put two words together, such as 'Daddy work.' As understanding develops before speech, your child will probably be able to follow simple commands from the age of 12-18 months.

Emotional development

Your child needs lots of love and affection to make them feel happy and secure throughout the child development stages: ages 1-5  They are likely to have several close attachments - to their parents, grandparents and perhaps a trusted childminder.

Despite this, many children struggle with your absence - and this can mean anything from returning to work, to going out for a few hours or even leaving the room for a minute or two.

This separation anxiety usually peaks at around 18 months, but it can continue beyond this, so be sure to give your child lots of attention until they adjust.

Learning

Young children learn though play, so it's important to give them lots of time to do this - even if it means repeating the same activity over and over again.

Don't be surprised if your toddler rejects expensive or complicated toys in favour of simple household objects.

Banging on pots and pans, shaking containers filled with dried rice, pasta or beans or playing with building blocks or stacking cups can improve their ability to handle small objects and teach them about everything from sounds and colours to shapes and textures.

Social skills

The typical one year old is happiest with his or her parents, and can be shy around strangers or people that they don't know well. Even more outgoing and confident children will look to your for comfort and reassurance, particularly in new or unfamiliar situations.

As your child approaches their second birthday, they will start to show more interest in other children. However, don't be surprised if your child isn't keen on playing with other children straight away. It can take time to get used to being around others, particularly if your child is shy.

Challenges

Many children struggle with teething between the ages of one and two. This can lead to disturbed sleep and can create problems with food if your child has a sore mouth.

If your child seems to be struggling, use teething gel or Calpol to ease any discomfort, and offer strips of chilled cucumber to help soothe their sore gums.

How to help

Children go through so many changes between their first and second birthdays that they will benefit from a good routine to help them feel safe and secure. Don't feel you have to set too many strict rules, but a simple bath, book and bed routine can help to prepare your child for a good night's sleep.

Child development stages: Age two

Most parents dread the 'terrible twos' and worry about how they will deal with the tantrums that often begin before their child's second birthday. It can be hard to adjust to your child's dramatic mood swings, but try to remember they need you more than ever as they go through a period of overwhelming physical and emotional changes

'Most parents decide to start potty training their child between their second and third birthdays,' says Laverne Antrobus, author of 'Ain't Misbehavin'. 'The average age is around 33 months, but some children will be ready sooner, and some won't be interested for a while longer. If your child isn't ready, then don't push it - and don't worry about it. Remember that it's not a race and they will get the hang of it sooner or later.'

Physical changes

Now that your child has been walking for a few months, you will notice that they are much more steady on their feet and can also run and jump. Over the next few months their coordination will improve and you will find that they manage to handle smaller objects, open doors and may even try to dress and undress themselves.

Communication

There is a great deal of variation in speech between children aged between two and three. Some children will be talking in five or six word sentences - others will be saying just a few words here and there.

Check with your health visitor if you are concerned, but provided that you and your child understand each other reasonably well, there is probably no need to worry.

Emotional development

At the age of two, children begin to express a wide range of emotions, so prepared for dramatic mood swings as they learn how to manage their feelings. They will need your help to make sense of how they are feeling.

When they are able to explain what they want and how they are feeling, tantrums should become less frequent.

Learning

Your child will now have a better understanding of the passing of time and an improved memory. They will be able to remember what happened days or weeks before - so may show a clear preference for favourite games or particular ways of doing things. As they approach their third birthday, most children will know their full name, and will probably be able to point out images in books and may be able to draw circles, lines and dots.

Social skills

Your two year old will become increasingly interested in playing with other children, although you may need to help them get started. At first they will prefer to play alongside other children, perhaps copying what they are doing. You will need to show them how to share and take turns, so should stay close by to supervise. Don't be surprised if playtimes end in tears, as it will take a while for your child to adjust.

Challenges

Tiredness is at the root of many behavioural problems, so make sure that your child gets around 12 hours sleep each day, including a daytime nap. If your child has trouble sleeping, ask your health visitor for advice on techniques to help them get the rest they need.

How to help

Your child thrives on your love and attention, so commit to spending 10 minutes each day giving them your full attention. Play with them, talk to them or look at books without any distractions. Remember to follow their lead and offer lots of encouragement.

Child development stages: Age three

After their third birthday you will notice that your child is becoming increasingly independent. As they try to make sense of the world around them you will be asked lots of questions. They will also begin to develop a sense of right and wrong, and will be desperate for your praise and approval.

'By the age of three, children want to do things their own way,' says Rachel Morris, author of The Single Parent's Handbook. 'This can be hard for parents, as it means that your child won't always do as they're told.

Try to stay calm and remember that they're not being deliberately naughty - they are just beginning to understand that they are a person in their own right, with their own wants and needs.'

Physical changes

You should be able to tell if your child is left or right handed sometime between their third and fourth birthdays. Up to this point, most children can use both hands, but they should now begin to show a clear preference.

The development of large muscle groups means that your child can now master activities like climbing, pedalling a tricycle or using a scooter. The development of small muscle groups, along with improved hand-eye coordination, means that your child will begin to hold a pencil well, and may be able to draw recognisable pictures.

Communication

Your child's language skills will be improving every day, and many children can now speak in short sentences. This is a good time to introduce your child to letters and sounds, although you should keep the focus firmly on fun and don't put them under any pressure to learn.

Don't be alarmed if your child starts telling lies, particularly if they have done something naughty. This is perfectly normal, and is a sign that they are learning about reality and fantasy. If they do tell a lie, you should deal with it immediately - but don't get angry, just make it easy for them to tell you the truth.

Emotional development

Your child is now much more aware of other people's feelings. As a result you will probably notice that your child is keen to make you happy, and is likely to start to show more consideration towards others.

This will be most noticeable when they are playing with other children. You might, during this stage of the child development stages: ages 1-5, also notice your child trying to comfort another child who is upset - and they may also play at looking after and comforting favourite dolls or toys.

Learning

Your child's memory will be improving now, and they may be able to remember the words and tunes of favourite songs or nursery rhymes, count to 10 and recognise some colours. Some children also begin to develop a sense of time and will begin to understand the difference between 'morning', 'afternoon' and 'later' and 'soon.'

Social skills

As your child's imagination develops it will change the way that they play. They will now enjoy pretend or make-believe games and may even invent an imaginary friend. This is normal and healthy, so don't worry about it, but make sure that your child has lots of opportunity to play with real friends too!

Challenges

Independence can be a struggle for your child, you may find that they develop a desire to escape, and run away from you whenever they can. This can be dangerous when you're out and about, so consider using reins or a wrist strap for a few months until your child grows out of it.

How to help

Throughout the child development stages: ages 1-5 be sure to give your child lots of opportunity to do things for themselves, but specifically around this age do they learn the most from this take on parenting.

Ask them if they need help, but resist the temptation to take over and do things for them. Instead give them lots of help and encouragement - and lots of praise when they get it right.

Child development stages: Age four

Most children start school when they are four, which is a big milestone for them and for you. Some children are very excited about going to school, but don't be surprised if your child is nervous. Just give them lots of reassurance and focus on how much fun they will have at school. Many children are keen to learn the basics of reading and writing before they start school, and there is a lot you can do at home to help.

'Sometime between the ages of four and six, children develop a chronological understanding. This means that they start to work out the link between letters and sounds,' says Dr Dominic Wyse, author of How to help your child read and write. 'They will also begin to distinguish between words and pictures, which is the foundation of learning to read and write.'

Physical changes

Children of this age grow at a steady rate of about 4cm a year - and sometimes this can seem to happen all at once. If you are worried that your child doesn't seem to be growing, or think they might be overweight, then it's a good idea to check with your health visitor or GP.

Communication

By now, many children can speak clearly and make themselves understood to adults. They may still have trouble pronouncing some sounds - particularly 'th', 'r', 'ch', 'j' and 'l', and it may take another year or two to master these.

Your child is likely to be interested in learning to write, and most children start with their name, so write down the letters for them to copy. They may also begin to recognise a few words in a favourite book. Help them to develop this skill by underlining words with your finger as you read.

Emotional development

At the age of four, most children can show a range of emotions - and can even begin to imagine how others might be feeling. As they begin to develop a stronger sense of self, you will also notice that your child will need more privacy or time to themselves. If you have space, try to give your child a room of their own, or their own special corner where they can play with a friend or with their toys

Learning

There is a great deal of variation among children of this age, but most will be able to draw a picture of a person and some may even write their own name. If they are used to looking at books, some children will pretend to read, and may even be able to recite the words of a favourite book from memory.

When your child starts school they will also get more involved in active play. Improved coordination means that they will now be able to throw and kick - so make time to practise these new skills at home.

Social skills

As your child starts school they will start to make friends and build relationships away from the home. They are likely to have just one or two special friends, usually of the same sex.

At this stage in their development your child is learning how to be a good friend - they have learned how to share, how to consider the feelings of others, and how to listen. But be aware that your child won't always manage to do these things, which may result in squabbles or tantrums.

Challenges

Bed wetting is very common among children aged four and five, so don't worry if your child doesn't always manage to stay dry during the night. Many children of this age are embarrassed if they wet the bed, so try to stay calm and don't tell your child off. You might find it helpful to wake your child to use the toilet before you go to bed. If the problem continues, then talk to your GP or health visitor rule out any underlying cause.

How to help

Think about joining your local library and taking your child on a regular basis. Many libraries run regular story time sessions for different age groups, and your child is certain to find plenty of books that they will enjoy looking at. Try to make these visits as exciting as possible, so that your child comes to associate books with having fun.

Child development stages: Age five

At the age of five, that last stage in the child development stages: ages 1-5 children become much more confident in their abilities. Often this is most obvious in terms of their speech and language development, as the average five year old never stops talking!

Your child will be keen to show off their achievements - so it's important to show in interest in their schoolwork and find a place to display their artwork.

'This is a period of great intellectual growth as your child begins to grasp more abstract ideas, like numbers, time and distance,' says Dr Pat Spungin of parenting website raisingkids.co.uk.

'It's important to realise children develop at different speeds both physically and mentally. It's often difficult to remember this when children are in school with a standardised curriculum.

'Don't worry if at 5 your child seems less 'ready' for school than other children - especially if he is a boy - he has a lot of years ahead of him in which to catch up.'

Physical changes

At five children are physically stronger, can run faster, balance on one leg and throw further. Some children, at this time during the child development stages: ages 1-5,  will start to lose their milk teeth at this age.

This is very exciting for your child, especially if they are looking forward to a visit from the tooth fairy. There may be quite a long gap between the milk tooth falling out and the new tooth appearing, and the new tooth may appear crooked at first, but they will usually even out in time.

Communication

By now, many children are able to hold a conversation, and may be able to describe events and repeat favourite stories.

Many children are keen on teaching you the things they have learned, so ask your child what they have been taught at school today, as this is a great way to improve their language skills.

Some children are now ready to start to read at this stage of child development stages: ages 1-5, but it's important not to pressure your child unless they are interested in learning how.

Emotional development

As your child adjusts to school life, you may notice some changes in their behaviour. It's quite normal for children at this stage of the Child Development stages: Ages 1-5 to display some aggressive behaviour at this stage, as they do not yet understand the difference between asking for what they want and taking what they want.

If things don't go their way they may show their frustration by hitting out or kicking. This should become less of an issue as your child becomes more used to being part of a group.

It's around this time during the child development stages: ages 1-5, that you may also notice that your child develops fears - usually of animals like dogs or snakes.

Fear of the dark, ghosts and monsters, thunderstorms, floods or any other events they may have seen on the news are also common. Girls tend to be more fearful than boys, but try to be understanding and reassuring, and bear in mind that most children grow out of these fears fairly quickly.

Learning

By this stage in the child development stages: ages 1-5,  you might begin to notice that your child is better at some things than others.

Of course, this is only natural - and may children struggle with certain activities simply because they are not interested in them. So don't worry if it takes your child a while to get the hang of something new.

Just give lots of praise and encouragement as they learn. Some children at this stage of the child development stages: ages 1-5, may now be ready to learn how to tell the time. Explain to your child how a clock works, and explain how you do certain things like go to school or get ready for bed at certain times of the day. You could even buy your child their own wristwatch to encourage them to practise.

Social skills

Children of this age will happily spend long periods of time playing with friends. However, at this stage, children like to be the best and may get upset if they don't win a game or come first. This can cause problems with other children, so it's important to explain to your child that taking part is more important than winning and discourage them from boasting about their achievements to others.

Challenges

Unfortunately bullying is not uncommon at this age, so you should take any changes in your child's behaviour very seriously. Young children may not be able to explain what is happening to them, but if your child is reluctant to go to school, seems anxious or starts wetting the bed, then it's a good idea to have a word with their teacher, just in case another child is bullying them.

How to help

At this age children often develop their own interests - like dinosaurs or dolls - and may start to collect things. It's a good idea to encourage your child and give them lots of opportunity to talk about their hobby, draw pictures or take part in activities that relate to their particular interest.

Ever wondered what's going on in the minds of kids aged 6 to 12? Trust us, when we say a lot - it really is a time of big changes.

From learning cool new things to making friends and dealing with new emotions (not to mention all those physical changes), these years are crucial. We'll break down how your child is growing and developing and how you can help them navigate their way through this exciting chapter in their lives.

Look back at our expert child development stages, including the first 24 hours with your baby and children aged 1-5. Plus, take a sneak peek at what's in store as your child hits the teenage years, from ages 13-16.

During these next few years, your child will learn new social skills, see their body grow and change in preparation for puberty and become more confident at communicating. "Kids begin to understand their own emotions, as well as others' emotions, during this period of development," says Dr Rachael Molitor, a behavioural psychologist and child development expert. "They also develop the ability to regulate their own feelings." Strap in for the ride with our guide to each aspect of your child's development from 6-12, including social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. 

Child development stages: Ages six - 12

Child development stages: Ages six - eight

Between the ages of six to eight, you will notice that your child becomes noticeably more independent. At the same time, they like to know where they stand - and respond well to simple, clear guidelines that apply to everyone in the house.

"At this part of the Child development stages: Ages 6-12, fairness is a big issue for children," says Dr Claire Halsey, Consultant Clinical Psychologist. "Your child wants everything to be equal in the family, from the portion size of their pudding to taking their turn reading a bedtime story with dad. From a parent's point of view, it's impossible to be totally fair all the time; simply trying to be even-handed is worth aiming for."

Physical changes - By the age of eight, many children already have a few of their adult teeth. It's vital to get your child into the habit of brushing twice a day - and make sure that they are doing it properly.

While the average age to start puberty is between 11 and 12, it's perfectly normal for girls to begin puberty as early as eight years old, according to the NHS. You may notice your daughter developing breasts and hips and they may even have their first period around this time.

Communication - Most children's speech is clear by the age of six, a big milestone in the child development stages: ages 6-12. And they will probably start asking you about the meanings of different words. Between the ages of seven and eight, their vocabulary will double - and they will often copy what you say. Expect to hear your child saying, 'My mummy/daddy says...' when talking to friends - and don't say anything in front of your child that you wouldn't want them to repeat!

Emotional development - Around the age of six you may find that your child starts to argue with you, which can be hurtful and upsetting. Try not to take any angry comments personally and remember that is a normal part of development. In fact, scientists have found that arguing helps children to resolve situations and disagreements. By the age of seven, your child may begin to show embarrassment. As a result, they may want more privacy when bathing and getting dressed and may sometimes be embarrassed by your behaviour, particularly in front of their friends.

Learning - At the age of six, children will be beginning to get to grips with numbers and might be able to do some addition and subtraction, and even basic multiplication, by the time they are seven. Most children are confident readers by the age of seven and by the age of eight, most children's handwriting improves to the point that they may start to learn joined-up writing, and may begin writing with ink pens at school.

Social skills - "Friendships become a vital part of your child’s emotional and social development at this stage," says Dr Rachael Molitor, child development expert, lecturer, and Chartered Psychologist focusing on Health and Behaviour Change. "Friendship is a critical part of their life that helps them to develop confidence and become an individual. It also helps them develop their own interests, thinking, and decision making."

According to the British Psychological Society, middle childhood is when most children prefer to play with children of the same sex and even discourage friends from playing with children of the opposite sex. 

Girls are more likely to form small friendship groups with one or two best friends, while boys prefer to be part of a large group. However, you may still find that your son prefers one to two friends above all others. 

At this age, and for a few years yet, it's normal for children to fall out with their friends, usually over something trivial. In most cases, they'll make up quickly, but your child may be sensitive to criticism and rejection as it's important to feel like they belong.

Challenges - At the age of seven, your child may have their first school test as part of the National Curriculum. This makes some children very anxious, so make it clear that you only expect them to do their best, and don't put them under pressure to be top of the class.

Independence - You may notice your child asking for more independence from you as they get older. They may want to play outside with their friends or even walk to school by themselves, or they may just want to have more jobs to do around the house. As much as you may want to keep an eye on them, research shows that independent play can improve your child's mental health, self-confidence, and resilience. It can also lower their risk of mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, in the future.

How to help - Most parents struggle with the idea of letting a child of this age do things without supervision, but bear in mind that your child will probably be desperate for a taste of freedom. Depending on your child's maturity and the area where you live, consider letting your child run an errand to a local shop or walk to a neighbouring friend's house by themselves as this will help to boost their confidence and satisfy their urge to feel more grown up.

"Parents can support their children going through physical, psychological and social changes by providing an open and non-judgemental communication channel," says Dr Rachael Molito. 

"Lots of positive reinforcement, acknowledging achievements and encouraging independence whilst gradually giving your child more responsibility will help them make decisions and learn from their experiences."

Child development stages: Ages nine to 12

Many parents are unprepared for the changes their child will face between the ages of nine to 12. So don't be surprised if children as young as eight become curious about their bodies or even begin puberty. Most children will change schools at the age of 11 or 12, which can be a scary experience as they leave their comfort zone and start to mix with other pupils who are much older - and bigger - than they are.

"Most children will begin the process of puberty between the ages of nine and 12," says Suzie Hayman, author of Teach Yourself Parenting Teenagers.

"Whether they come to you with questions or not, all children of this age are curious about their changing bodies and sex. So make a point of starting a discussion with them. If you find that embarrassing, then pick up some leaflets or a book about puberty and leave it lying around instead."

Physical changes - It's normal for girls to start having periods as early as eight, although most girls will typically start at around the age of 11. On average, periods start roughly two years after the breasts start developing. Girls also start going through a growth spurt from around the age of 10. They typically grow another 7 cm or so in height after their period starts.

Boys often start puberty slightly later - around the age of 11 - but it can happen as late as 14. However, boys can experience wet dreams in the run-up to puberty, so it's wise to explain that this might happen in case your son worries that he has wet the bed.

The first sign of puberty in boys is the enlargement of the testes, followed by growth of the penis. Pubic hair appears soon after. Boys usually have their growth spurt between the ages of 12 and 14, when they grow at a rate of around 4 to 6cm per year. For this reason, it may take them a while to catch up with girls of the same age.

Communication - Children become more confident during the child development stages: Ages 6-12, but more specifically aged nine and over are much more confident speakers, and may begin swearing or using slang in order to fit in with their friends. It's best not to overreact to this, as they will often continue to do it just to wind you up!

By 12, your child will probably be able to read adult books and magazines. You may also notice that your previously chatty child becomes very quiet around you. This is normal, so don't criticise or tease your child about their behaviour and try to talk to them about things they are interested in - clothes, sports or TV - as this might be a good way to get conversation flowing.

Emotional development - "During this phase, children experience heightened emotional and psychological sensitivity and self-awareness," says Dr Rachael Molitor. In other words, they have a more thorough grasp of their own preferences, priorities, and ideals - all of which are hugely important to their own sense of identity. You'll probably notice them expressing preferences in the music they listen to, the clothes they want to wear, and the friendships they make as they get older.

During this period, or even earlier, children may start talking about having 'crushes'. These aren't necessarily romantic or sexual, so you're just as likely to see same-sex crushes as opposite-sex crushes. However, you may notice them talking about their peers having a boyfriend or a girlfriend, as it's one way that kids like to impress their friends. 

Katie, mum of two, remembers the first time her daughter came home talking about a 'secret crush'. "She came home from school one day and told me she had a secret crush on one of her classmates! It was completely innocent fun of course but she had never talked about relationships with her friends like this before. For me, I felt suddenly that my little girl was growing up in front of my eyes and that she had her own private emotions not influenced by me anymore. What she really meant was that she liked playing games with him best in the playground at break time! But I won't forget that moment in time in a hurry."

As they get into their early teens, they may start to be more attracted to other people, according to the NSPCC. Alongside this, they're more likely to talk to friends about sex or look for information about it online, rather than ask you. They may also have their first experience of masturbation from around 9 years old. 

Learning - By the age of 10, your child is likely to have regular homework and may also be busy with school projects. These teach your child how to work independently and improve their problem-solving abilities, so although you can offer support and suggestions, it's best not to offer too much help.

"Cognitive thinking by this age can become more abstract in problem-solving and complex critical and logistic reasoning," says Dr Rachael. 

The result of this developmental leap is that your child will get better at critical thinking, in ALL aspects of life. For example, they start questioning the rules more ("why do I have to be home by 8pm?") and doubting what grownups tell them if it doesn't seem logical enough. 

Their reasoning skills become sharper too. They can look at a problem from different angles and put evidence together to come up with a well-thought-out solution. If their bike breaks, they'll examine different parts carefully instead of getting upset right away.

Kids this age also reflect more on their own thinking. For instance, they may double-check their homework not just for right answers, but to see if they understand the concepts. And they understand connections better - like how getting poor results at school could be related to not studying enough.

If they are following the National Curriculum, children will also have the second set of statutory tests at the age of 11. Encourage them to set aside time for study and praise their efforts no matter what their results.

Social skills - Parents often find it difficult to cope with the way that most 11 or 12 year olds prefer to spend time with their friends rather than their family. Bear in mind that at this age it's very important to fit in, and most children would rather not spend time doing anything that their friends would consider 'uncool.' Try to respect your child's friendships by allowing them to invite a friend along to family gatherings.

Challenges - Many children start to clash with parents during the teen years of the child development stages: Ages 6-12, and this can be hard for parents to accept. Bear in mind that this is simply your child's way of expressing their independence and individuality and try not to take it personally.

How to help - Resist the temptation to nag or lecture your child, as this will almost certainly cause an argument. Sometimes you will need to give them more freedom, but remember that in some cases it is best for everyone if you stand your ground.

Discover more ways to support your child's well-being and emotional development, from NY resolutions for calmer parenting in 2024 and how to start a conversation about mental health with your kids, to talking about puberty.

Featured experts

How often have you watched your little one gather up their toys and pop them in a box, only to tip them all out again? Well, it turns out this fun game is good for their development.

Every birthday or Christmas, it’s the same story. You pick out the perfect present for your tot – a toy you think they’re going to love or the latest must have release – and instead of playing with their new present, they’re more interested in playing with the cardboard box it came in.

And, according to the experts, the routine of filling up a box or container with small items and then dumping it out again, only to fill it right back up is a game that tends to start just as babies are able to stand up.

Jana Beriswill, occupational therapist at Wolfson Children’s Hospital of Jacksonville, explained told Romper: “You typically see it as soon as kiddos have enough core stability to begin using their upper body strength.

READ MORE: ‘When do babies crawl?’ and other baby developmental questions

“When they become a good sitter around 7 to 8 months old, you’ll start seeing them dumping and exploring their environment in different ways. This is the key developmental thing with the dumping — it’s part of their cognitive development and beginning to understand that they can affect their environment.”

According to Jana, this dumping action becomes more prominent once children have developed enough core stability to be able to sit up, but before they have developed a the pincer grabbing movement to be able to pick up very small objects.

Another expert, Adria Barnett, occupational therapist at Children’s of Alabama, says this stage is vital to a child’s cognitive development. She adds, “It’s a stage of their cognitive development. They’re beginning to learn how objects relate to each other and cause and effect.

“What happens when I do this? Repetition is something that helps them learn, and it’s fun for them to see what happens when they do something.”

Did you also know that your child's obsession with dinosaurs is also good for their development, and is even linked to 'above-average intelligence.'

READ MORE: 22 incredible kids’ toys you can make from cardboard boxes

Using household items can save money if you’d rather not go out and buy a host of new toys while children are in this stage of development.

Adria Barnett recommends making sure your child has enough small objects and a box – such as cotton wool balls and a tissue box – to keep them busy while they’re in this period of learning. But if you do want to splash out on a new toy to simulate this movement, ring stackers, nesting cups and shape sorting toys are most suited.

Oooh, the tricky teenage years? These notes on the child development stages: Ages 13-16 will help you to stay in touch with your child and their needs.

Becoming a teenager is one of the biggest changes in the child development stages: Ages 13-16 your child will go through, so it's important to prepare yourselves (and them!) for what's to come.

As with all development stage guides, children's emotional and physical growth rates vary greatly, so take these ages as a rough estimate, not an exact science. That said, here are the most common milestones you can expect to go through with your teenagers...

Child development stages: Ages 13-16

The average teenager, during the child development stages: Ages 13-16, has a lot on their plate, so try to understand this and prepare yourself for the hormonal moodiness and angry outbursts that will almost certainly be directed at you. First relationships and the pressure of exams can all add to the stress your teen will be experiencing. They still need your help and guidance, just not in the way they used to.

'By now the separation from parents is in full swing,' says Suzie Hayman, author of Teach Yourself Parenting Teenagers. 'Your teenager is more likely to listen to you if you listen to them, so try to talk things through and negotiate solutions that suit you both.'

Physical changes

At the age of 13, some girls already look like women, while lots of boys still look like children. Both boys and girls will be very conscious of their bodies and concerned about their appearances. Most boys won't need to shave, but might want to anyway. Girls will probably want to start shaving their legs and underarms.

It's common for teenagers during these child development stages: Ages 13-16 to suffer from acne, which is caused by changing hormone levels. Over-the-counter treatments may help, but if not it's best to see your GP, who may prescribe antibiotics - or the contraceptive pill for girls - as this often controls the problem.

Communication

Most teenagers will now lose interest in children's stories and prefer to read books aimed at older teenagers or adults.

Some parents worry that their teenagers spend too much time listening to music or talking to their friends through text messages or MSN, but research indicates that this can actually benefit your child's language skills. Many girls begin to keep a diary at this age. This should be encouraged, as it's a great way for them to express their thoughts and feelings.

Emotional development

Teenagers are painfully self-conscious throughout the child development stages: Ages 13-16 and will worry a great deal about how they look, the clothes they wear and what other people think of them. They can be particularly sensitive to criticism, so never comment on their behaviour in front of others, as they are likely to find this humiliating. Mood swings are very common at this time, so you will avoid lots of arguments if you can manage to stay calm and give your teen the space to spend some time alone.

Learning

Between the ages of 14 and 16, teenagers will be busy preparing for their GCSEs, and many find the pressure overwhelming. By now you may struggle to understand some of your teenager's homework - but you should still take an interest and offer your support. Your teen will need to set aside regular time for homework and revision, so set some guidelines to make sure that they get their work done. However it's important for them to have fun too, so keep an eye on them to make sure that they are not working too hard.

Social skills

Until the age of 13 or 14, most children have same-sex friendships. But from now on your teen is likely to be part of a large mixed group of friends. If your teenager has started dating they may spend time with other couples, but this may change if they begin a more serious relationship.

If this happens, your teen may start to spend more time with their new boyfriend or girlfriend than with their friends. You may need to encourage them to keep up their old friendships, and will almost certainly need to comfort them when relationships break up or a friend lets them down.

Challenges

Many parents struggle with their teenager's first relationship, often because they are jealous. Try to deal with your own feelings of rejection and jealousy, and accept that this person must have something going for them if your teenager likes them so much.

How to help

Don't assume that your teenager is sexually active - but accept the fact that there's every chance that they are. Make sure that they understand about safe sex and contraception and tell them that they can come to your with any questions or concerns. If they do, try your best to be honest, supportive and non-judgemental and avoid lecturing them about their behaviour.

Child development stages have such an impact on all aspects of growth, so knowing and understanding them is key for any parent.

As your child grows, they’ll reach important development milestones. But remember, each kid moves at their own pace! Use this guide on child development stages 0-16 to know what major physical, cognitive, social and emotional skills you can gently look for as the months and years pass.

Got questions along the way? That's normal! All parents wonder: Is my toddler walking soon enough? Should my five-year-old be reading by now? Is my tween too short for their age? Breathe easy. There are no hard-and-fast deadlines. Focus on supporting your child’s unique journey.

Scroll down and click below to jump to our more in-depth articles on milestones to expect during different phases of development.

Child Development stages

Baby development

From the first crawl to the first steps and that precious first word, baby development is such an exciting time. Our guide to baby milestones will give you a clear idea of the average age for each new step in your little one's life. Check out our baby development article

1-5 years old

You can expect lots of changes in your child's early years, including learning to speak, picking up, playing, and developing lots of new social skills. You'll be amazed by how much they've developed before they even start school... Find out more from our Early Years development article.

6-12 years old

While the average age to start puberty is between 11 and 12, it's perfectly normal for girls to begin puberty as early as eight years old, according to the NHS. So, parents need to be aware of the experiences to come before their child reaches them. 

Plus, if your child suddenly wants more privacy when bathing after cavorting around naked for her first seven years, there is a reason why... We talk about this and more in our ages 6-12 years development article.

13-16 years old

"As children grow older they begin to form stronger and more complex friendships, gaining a deeper understanding of themselves and their own social roles, says neurodiversity consultant and children's coach Danielle Baron. "They also develop a heightened sense of empathy, learn to respect different perspectives, and start to value their friends' opinions more."  

Teenage years are tricky for both the parent and the teenager. Young people under the age of 18 are more likely to experience mental health crises than ever before, according to NHS data. So it's important to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible. Your child may be close to becoming an adult, but there are still so many firsts to come... Find out more in our Ages 13 - 16 the late years article.

Where can I find extra help, advice and support?

Raising children can feel overwhelming at times, but you don't have to go it alone. If worries about your child's development arise, ask your health visitor or GP for guidance, use your local children's centre and connect with other parents who understand. 

If your child is at school, their teachers can be a great starting point for finding extra help and advice. Plus, here are some great websites, organisations and charities that can provide confidential information and support, or simply medical and developmental advice:

• Tommy's: Provides help and support throughout the newborn stage and baby development.
• Early Years Alliance: Supports 800,000 families every year in the UK, delivering care and learning, legal advice and educational support.
• Action for Children: Helps vulnerable children, young people and their families.
• FRANK: Provides confidential support and advice about drugs to children and young people. 
• Young Minds: Provides mental health support to young people, parents and carers.
• Beat: Offers online support, helplines and webchats for people with eating disorders.
• No panic: Provides support and mentoring schemes to young people experiencing panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Discover more ways to support your child's well-being, from how to start a conversation about mental health with your kids, to talking about puberty. Plus, did you know that watching Disney movies can be good for your child's emotional development?

A study has found that a child’s obsession with dinosaurs is very good for their brain.

Most of us know a child with an obsessive interest in dinosaurs - and even a few adults (remember Ross in Friends?).

And it turn out this could be a very good thing, as researchers say that a burning desire to learn everything there is to know about the Mesozoic era could actually be a sign of high intelligence.

Read more: Child development stages from baby to teenager

About one in three kids develops an intense interest in a certain thing or activity. These tend to burn out in six months to three years, but often appear to be borderline obsessive while they last.

Conceptual interests include learning about dinosaurs, planes and horses. Over two-thirds of boys and a quarter of girls are thought to have a conceptual interest at some point between the ages of four and six.

After studying 215 four-year-old children for two years, researchers concluded that having an intense conceptual interest in something like dinosaurs was linked with above-average intelligence, longer attention spans, better information processing skills and greater persistence.

They think this is because unlike, say, watching TV or playing video games, learning about dinosaurs is an active pursuit that requires kids to ask questions, read books and navigate their own learning pathway.

Basically, it’s the perfect way for them to develop the key skills they’ll need at school and in their careers further down the line.

Experts think one reason children develop this kind of interest is that it gives them their first opportunity to outsmart their parents and feel like an authority on something, giving their confidence a boost.

And because the motivation comes from them, the learning process naturally becomes more fun – not to mention less hassle for you.

So while it can be irritating when a fad burns out overnight, or frustrating when an obsession seems to last forever, it’s important to encourage your child’s special interests.

Fancy a trip to the Natural History Museum?

Baby development in your child's first year is an exciting time, with many wonderful baby milestone moments, like when they start crawling, then walking and talking.

However, with your first baby it's only natural to assess baby development by looking at other children the same age and compare what they can do with your child's progress.

Baby milestones are useful because they give you an idea of what to expect from your child and when, so you can prepare yourself and know what's normal for your baby's development.

Child development stages also help you work out what kind of toys and books your baby will enjoy at different ages. They give you a general idea of what's normal, too, so that if your baby seems to be developing at a much slower rate than other little ones, you can get them checked out.

However, it's important to remember that all babies develop at their own pace, so the fact that your child was an early or late crawler is no real indication of his or her intelligence.

If your child reaches their very early baby milestones, like rolling over, and crawling, at a young age, then they'll immediately take a huge leap forward in their development.

This is because these skills open up a new world of experiences and opportunities - for example, moving towards things they want to play with. So, for a while, it'll seem that the early crawler is streets ahead of his peers, doing new and daring things while they sit and watch. However, as soon as the others learn to crawl, they'll take that same leap forward and will quickly catch up.

Another 'leap' occurs when those first steps transform your child from a baby into a toddler, and then again when they learn to tell you their wishes in no uncertain terms. But by the time they start school, they'll all be running, jumping and singing, so no-one will be able to tell who did what first.

Baby development and factors that can affect it

According to psychologist Richard Woolfson, there are several factors that can affect baby development. These include:

Birth position: Firstborns often learn to talk earlier as they're surrounded by adults, while subsequent babies may reach their physical milestones earlier because they have siblings to copy.

Environment: Your child will learn according to the opportunities he or she gets, so make sure they enjoy a variety of activities and get to experience new surroundings.

Personality: Some babies just sit there, taking it all in, while others won't stay in one place long enough to hear what you've got to say. Just like adults, babies all shine in different areas, depending on temperament, likes and dislikes.

Gender: Research shows that boys often reach physical milestones earlier, while girls tend to learn to speak at a younger age and have better fine motor skills.

Another thing to remember is that development doesn't happen at a steady pace, but in peaks and plateaus: your child may seem to make huge progress one week and then spend a while perfecting their new talent before moving on to something new. Also, premature babies may reach their milestones several months later than their peers.

When is baby development normal?

The moments of pride you feel in baby development will be mixed with times of worry that they're not developing as fast as they should be.

If your anxieties are prompted by comparing your child with other babies, then try to ignore them - your little one hasn't read the books and magazines you have and doesn't know the precise date at which they are supposed to reach each milestone! Instead, they'll do things in his own time and according to his own interests and personality, not a timetable describing an 'average baby'.

However, if you do feel that your baby is not developing at the rate you expected, talk to your health visitor or GP. Your baby will have checks during their first year anyway, but you can contact them at any other time if you're worried.

Baby milestones: What to expect and when

Smiling Learning to smile is one of the first milestones and happens at around six weeks. Your baby's first gorgeous smile makes up for all those sleepless nights!

Head first As your baby's neck muscles strengthen, they'll be able to support her own head (at around six weeks) to turn to look at new things and towards the source of sounds.

Roly poly At some time between three and six months your baby will learn to roll over, usually from front to back first, then from back to front a couple of weeks later.

Sitting As your baby's back gets stronger, they'll be able to hold themselves in a sitting position, first with their hands around their waist, and eventually without any support.

Crawling Babies learn to crawl from as early as six months. They usually start by getting on to all fours and rocking backwards and forwards.

Bottom shuffling Of course, some babies don't crawl at all, and develop their own ways of getting around, sometimes just shuffling on their bottoms.

Cruising Before they learn to walk your little one will pull themself up using furniture, or other people's legs! They'll then 'cruise' around the room, holding on to tables and chairs.

First steps Those first, unsupported steps are a major baby milestone, and happen any time from around nine months.

Chatterbox At 18 months, most children use between six and 20 words, although they may only be recognised by you. By two and a half you'll notice a language explosion!

Why isn't my baby crawling?

Here are some of the things that may indicate a problem with your baby's development:

Sound: If they aren't responding to sounds by turning their head or looking up by three months, there could be a hearing difficulty.

Sitting: If your baby can't sit unsupported for short periods by seven months, their muscles may be weaker than expected and may need help with physiotherapy.

Steps: If your child isn't walking by the age of two years, again there may be some muscle weakness. Talk to your health visitor about physiotherapy.

Speech: If your child's speech is still babyish and unintelligible to strangers by the age of four years, they may need some help, perhaps with speech therapy.

Boosting baby development

Peekaboo: At around five months, your little one starts to understand that something still exists, even if they can't see it.

To begin with they'll think you've gone when you hide your face with a blanket, say, and their surprise when you reappear makes them laugh out loud.

But, as the weeks go by, they'll anticipate the peekaboo surprise, even pulling the blanket off themselves to find you underneath!

Clap hands: Co-ordinating both hands to move at the same time and meet in the middle is a skill babies learn between six and eight months.

Try clapping and getting them to copy you, or clap their hands together for them. By around 10 months, they may well even recognise the words 'clap, clap', and do the action when they hear you say the words.

In and out: The perfect toy for a nine or 10 month old is a plastic pot or bowl, and some random objects to put in and take out. Your baby will perfect the skills of picking up and letting go, and learn the idea that one thing can go inside another.

Puberty in girls and boys can be very different and it's often an emotional and turbulent time in their lives.

If you're dreading your child reaching puberty or are already going through an awkward time with your developing teen read our tips on how to help them.

In this article we explain how puberty in girls and boys differs including what's going on their body and the physical and emotional changes they're going through and how you can help them.

What is puberty?

We're sure you remember what puberty was like... A release of hormones causes changes in the body and the reproductive organs develop. You'll notice physical changes in your child - they'll get suddenly taller, girls develop breasts and start their periods and boys will develop a deeper voice.

The hormones also cause psychological changes - which means your child is likely to be more moody and feel more self conscious of their body.

Puberty in girls: Physical changes

Most girls start puberty between ages 8-13, but the average age is 11. There's lots of variation and all girls mature at different rates. If your daughter is starting puberty before or after her friends, don't be be worried.

Girls tend to start puberty earlier than boys and they reach full maturity within 4 years. See your doctor if your daughter starts puberty before she's 8, has shown no signs of puberty by the time she's 14 or hasn't started her period by the time she's 16.

The stages of puberty in girls:

Early puberty

Your daughter's height will start to increase by as much as 5-6cm per year and their breasts will start to develop. Their nipples may swell slightly and their ovaries start to grow. It's also normal for some pubic hair to start to grow and your daughter may notice more hair on her legs and arms.

Main puberty stage

Girls' breasts continue to grow and become fuller. It could be a good idea to take your daughter bra shopping so that she is fully prepared!

Pubic hair becomes coarser and curlier and underarm hair starts to grow. They're growing at the fastest rate now - up to 8cm per year. Girls usually reach this stage when they're over 12. Some girls might develop hair in other areas of their body such as on their top lip. This is completely normal and it's important to explain this to your daughter.

Girls often start to sweat more and are likely to develop acne. They will experience a growth spurt of between 5 and 7.5cm a year for the next two years until they reach their adult height.

This will continue for a year or so after the first signs of puberty emerge and for the next couple of years. After two years of puberty your daughter will probably have her first period.

Before your daughter starts her period it is worth having a chat to avoid any shock when it arrives!

If you're nervous about starting a conversation, use opportunities like tampon adverts on the television as an opener to gauge how much she knows already.

Open, honest, regular discussion is the best way to avoid any embarrassment and to break the taboo around the subject.

Girls often put on more weight during this period which is completely normal. Their body shape will change and they will develop more fat along their arms, thighs and back. Your daughter's waist is likely to get smaller while her hips will grow rounder.

Final stage of puberty in girls 

After about four years the process of puberty in girls will be almost finished. Your daughter's breasts will become more adult-like and public hair will have spread to the inner thigh. Genitals should be fully developed and girls will stop growing taller.

Puberty in boys: Physical changes

Boys tend to hit puberty a bit later then girls - and their development takes longer. Most boys will begin puberty when they're between 10-15 years old, although the average age is 12. It usually takes them 6 years to reach full maturity.

All boys develop at their own rate - so don't panic if your son seems to be developing earlier or later than his friends.

See your doctor if there is no sign of testicular development by the time they are 14, or if they started puberty more than 5 years ago but the penis and the testicles haven't reached full adult development.

The stages of puberty in boys:

Early puberty

Boys start to get taller and they will notice that their testicles are getting bigger. Their scrotum begins to get thinner and might be more red in colour. Boys will also start to notice pubic hair growing at the base of their penis.

Main puberty stage

After a year or so of the first signs of puberty emerging, your son will experience more changes. This will continue for the next couple of years.

Boys can expect their penis grows and lengthen - testicles continue to grow and may darken in colour. Pubic hair becomes thicker and curlier and hair may start to grow under their arms.

As with girls, boys will experience a growth spurt of on average 7-8cm a year. They'll start to sweat more, will probably develop acne and their breasts will swell slightly but this is completely normal.

You son's voice will get deeper and they might have wet dreams (involuntary ejaculations of semen as they sleep).

Final stage of puberty in boys 

After about four years the process of puberty in boys will be almost finished. Their genitals will look more adult-like and pubic hair will be in their inner thigh. It's also likely you son will be interest in shaving as facial hair will begin to grow.

Boys will stop getting taller aged around 16 but they may continue getting more muscly. By 18 boys will have reached full maturity.

Puberty in girls and boys: Emotional changes

Probably the most worrying thing for your child during puberty is the emotional changes they experience, rather than the physical changes to their bodies. Hormones are racing through them and they start to feel more moody, self-conscious and even aggressive.

Trying to talk to them can seem difficult - you don't want to embarrass them and make them withdraw, but with the right approach you can really help them.

Sue Atkins is a parent coach and the author of Raising Happy Children for Dummies, creator of positive-parents.com and the parent and teenager toolkit. Here, Sue gives her advice on giving emotional support to your child during puberty:

When to start talking about puberty

'Start when it feels natural - lots of parents feel shy talking about puberty. Take the lead from your kids - if they ask you a question then answer it appropriately to their age and maturity. Then they don't grow up frightened or embarrassed because it's more natural.'

Mood swings

'During puberty, kids are maturing mentally and becoming more free thinking. They don't necessarily understand their mood swings. You can talk to them about it and tell them that it's normal, but have boundaries so they know they can't just throw a strop and make everyone's life hell.

'Try to be understanding if your child is throwing a strop. A simple technique is when you're away from them, write their name down on a piece of paper and stand on it. Then put yourself in your child's shoes and finish these sentences: 'I think/see/feel...'. I use this technique in my workshops a lot, it's a very simple but very useful way of getting an insight.

'You might find that they feel they're not being listened to or they're not being allowed to be independent.'

Allowing independence

'Be more observant of your own behaviour and your child's behaviour and try to be objective so you can adapt and be more flexible.

'Give your son or daughter choices so they feel like they have control, for example say: 'You can go out till 10pm and I can pick you up, or you can get a taxi home - but you're coming home at 10pm' - teenagers want to feel that they're being respected as adults.'

Talking about embarrassing issues

'It's down to you how you talk to them about things - your kids will take their cues from you. If you find it stressful to talk about embarrassing things then they will too.

'Don't pretend it's not happening - the days when nobody talks about puberty and sex are over. Kids are clued in now, they know the facts on puberty from school - you can put the emotional part in and pass on your values about sex and relationships.

'Don't feel you have to pick a time to have a talk about the birds and the bees - let them bring things up and be natural and compassionate.'

How puberty makes you feel

'If you think puberty will be difficult and your child will turn into Kevin and Perry, it will. They'll take their lead from you and your attitude. It's going to be a change and you'll need to be more flexible, but life is all about transition and change. Keep an open mind and try to build bridges.'

Do you have any tips you'd like to share on how to help children when they go through puberty? Head over to our Facebook page to join the conversation! 

Along with learning to walk, learning to talk is probably the biggest and most nerve-wracking baby milestones for parents.

From the first gurgles to full grown-up sentences, the speed at which your child learns to speak can vary from month to month.

What's crucial for children learning to talk is their ability to listen and hear. By listening to what words sound like, they will make their own attempts to repeat those noises.

So when should your child start talking? How soon should they be saying 'mummy' and 'daddy'? At what age will you be able to have a conversation with them?

We help you to work out what's normal and what's not in language development and how you can help your children progress with learning to talk and tips on dealing with speech problems.

Teaching kids to talk: The first 12 months

Language development: 1-3 months

Talking begins with early cries, before progressing onto gurgles, coos and all the other odd sounds that babies make.

In the early days, you will become adept at recognising the differences between your child's cries - whether it's because they need a clean nappy, want a sleep, are hungry or something else totally different.

Language development: 4-12 months

Obviously, your baby still won't be making any sense early on in this stage, although you will hear the odd 'mama' or 'dada'.

Attempts at talking will be a long babble at this age in a baby language that sounds the same regardless of what language you talk: English, Spanish, Japanese or Urdu.

Your child will start to enjoy some specific sounds more than others - this is because they feel nice in their mouth when they are made.

As your child gets nearer to their first birthday, your baby will start to sound as if she's making sense. This is because she's hearing you speak and imitating your patterns and speech.

Your child will also be understanding simple instructions, such as: 'Give mummy the book'.

Singing songs to your child is a good way of helping them develop language skills.

Teaching kids to talk: 12-24 months

Language development: 12-17 months

You should be hearing individual words by now - they'll tend to be nouns that are important in your child's world, so: 'cat', 'up', 'carry'.

Their vocabulary should be up to 20 words, although some children will be saying much more and some a little less.

They will also be able to point to pictures or objects when named, as well as recognise names of familiar people, objects and body parts.

The words that come out may not always sound exactly how you would say them, but don't worry. Don't get angry. Just repeat the proper word and your child will change how they say them as they get older.

If you haven't started already, try to make reading to your child a part of your everyday routine. Books will help improve their language skills.

By now, your child knows how important talking is in order to get what they want.

Language development: 18-24 months

Your child's vocabulary will probably be getting bigger by the day and can be up to 100 words.

Most of the words will still tend to be nouns, but you will often start to hear simple two-word sentences by now, such as 'More milk' or 'Carry me'.

Other words that should be in use regularly by now include simple prepositions, such as 'in' 'under' and 'down'.

Your child will also be asking simple questions, changing the tone of their voice to show this.

By the age of 2, your child should also be acting on two-step requests, such as: 'Sit down and look at your book.'

Teaching kids to talk: 2-4 years

Language development: 25-36 months

Abilities do vary quite a lot in this age range. By the time your child reaches their third birthday, they should be saying anything between 2-300 words.

Nouns and verbs and pronouns will be put together to make short sentences, such as: 'You kick ball', or 'I drink milk'.

Another thing you'll start to notice is lots of screeching and difficult controlling volume of speech. This will improve the closer they get to 3.

Some children will obviously be far more advanced than others, so it's important not to worry too much if Jimmy or Amy at playgroup are talking much more.

Language development: 3-4 years

During this year, children usually know more than 1,000 words and will start to talk in more complex sentences and use correct grammar.

There will still be a few sounds that might be difficult for your child, such as r, z, f or th, but your child will generally speak in ways that most people will understand.

Children will enjoy stories and jokes and love asking lots of questions about the world around them. They will also be able to say how old they are.

Teaching kids to talk: How to help

What should we be doing as parents?

We spoke to child clinical psychologist Emma Citron and developmental psychologist Professor Karen Pine who gave us the following expert advice:

- Learn to relax: worrying about how many words your child is saying and how clearly they're speaking or the length of sentences won't help. - Let them experience things: Taking your child to lots of different places and allowing them to see and hear people, things and objects is a great way to help them learn. - Don't talk to them as an adult: Talking to your child as if they were 13 won't help them learn. They need to hear short, childlike sentences with lots of variation in your voice to help them get used to speech. - Teach them simple things: Go for the simple fun things like animal voices. Grab their attention and they will start to copy you. - Talk to them as early as possible: Babies learn language from the moment they're born and even start to process sounds when in the womb. - Engage in lots of songs and rhymes: Nursery rhymes and action songs are excellent ways of helping your child learn about the structure of language. They are also fun ways for parents to interact with their infant. - Don't rely on the TV: 'Brainy' baby DVDs will not 'teach' your baby how to talk. There's no substitute for a real live human, talking, smiling face.

Other tips for helping speech

- Use relevant words: Make sure the language you use are part of their everyday world and language, such as cup, nappy, bath - Talk slowly: Your child needs to be able to pick out the words you're using, so don't rush your speech. - Repeat, repeat: It may be boring, but singing a selection of different songs over and over again will help your child learn. Similarly, reading the same book constantly may make your brain go to sleep, but repetition helps them tremendously.

Teaching kids to talk: What are the problem signs?

Remember, all children develop speech at different rates so although your child may not be speaking as much as their friends, that doesn't necessarily mean they have a problem.

Ear infections and or hearing problems may cause language delay, so make sure your health visitor carries out the relevant hearing checks.

As a general rule, your child should be speaking in sentences that match their age, so one word at the age of 1, two-word sentences at the age of 2, and three-word sentences at the age of 3.

However, it's important to talk a health professional if any of the following applies to your child: * Your baby doesn't listen to or respond to sounds * Your baby has problems sucking, swallowing or chewing * Your baby isn't using real words by 18 months * Your toddler has difficulty understanding what you say * Your toddler has an unusual voice and/or stutters * Your toddler isn't trying to make sentences by two-and-a-half years

Teaching kids to talk: When to worry

'The golden rule of thumb is how much can your child understand,' says Emma Citron. 'It's all about how clued in they are and whether they know what you mean.'

'If your child can understand more than one command in a sentence at the age of 2, then that's the most important thing.'

So the advice from Emma is even if your child isn't speaking as well as many other children of the same age, as long as they understand a sentence such as: 'Put your shoes on, go into the garden and get your toys,' then don't worry too much.

'Many children who can't talk in very sophisticated language by the age of 3 go on to become successful university graduates,' says Emma.

Teaching kids to talk: What to do if you're worried

If you have any concerns about the rate at which your child's talking is developing, then your first port of call is your local doctor.

They will be able to advise you and possibly calm any fears about your child's speech.

You can also talk to your local health visitor, who will have a good understanding about how babies' speech develops.

Unfortunately, don't expect anything to happen very quickly. Emma Citron says that 'most parents will be lucky to get their child seen by a speech therapist before the age of 5 on the NHS'.

If you are really concerned about your child's speech development, then you could consider getting help privately from a speech therapist. For more information and to find a speech therapist in your area, visit helpwithtalking.com.

Most doctors and health visitors will also tell you that nothing is usually done until a child is two-and-a-half, so if your little one is not developing as quickly as others, it's worth waiting till then.

Do you have any more tips or advice on teaching children to talk? We'd love to hear your thoughts so head over to our Facebook page to join the conversation.

Encouraging your child, whatever their age, to learn new things can be satisfying and worthwhile for both of you if you bear in mind these seven golden rules:

* Make learning lots of fun * Encourage - don't insist! * Stimulate your children's interest by chatting to them * Have singalongs * Share reading time * Involve them in decisions * Take them on visits Below is information about how to help babies learn but if your kids are a bit older with got top tips for them too.

Babies

The brain grows faster now than at any other time. Stimulation will aid their development and create a foundation for better learning.

What you can do: * Share picture books to help encourage reading (and develop eye muscles). * Change the scenery: go to the park, visit a friend or a baby group. * Chat and sing constantly: babies love to listen to people's voices and will quickly pick up words.

Buys to help: * Baby Bright DVDs help early learning with bright animation. They cost £12.99 each from amazon.co.uk. * Learn to Count wallchart, £19.95 from smartstart-toys.co.uk helps to develop their memory, maths skills and language. Learning online: * The website literacytrust.org.uk encourages parents to talk more to help with language skills. * funwithspot.com has simple games to play and Spot stories for you to read to them.

Preschoolers - 3-5 years old

* Learning should be all about socialising * Stories can be shared and discussed - it will help them learn the alphabet * Numbers can be taught through songs and games.

What you can do: * Share books * Talk about things you see: street signs, numbers, animals, birds and so on * Give them dot-to-dot puzzle pictures, so they can start to control a pen/pencil. Buys to help: * Boost their imagination with a dolls' house or pirate ship. Try the Early Learning Centre - elc.co.uk. * Our cooking with kids section has a stash of simple recipes you can make with your children, or you could buy this Cook It Together cookbook by Annabel Karmel.

Learning online: * Check out our crafts for kids section for loads of makes you can enjoy together. * Check out primarygames.com. It features counting games and jigsaw puzzles.

Reception and school year 1

What stage they're at: * They'll be reading aloud at school and will bring books home to read. * Maths will become more formal. * They'll start to learn handwriting.

What you can do: * Listen to them reading, and read together. * Get them to write shopping lists, letters, anything * Have kitchen fun: stir bicarb into water to see it fizz; make bread and watch the yeast 'grow'.

Buys to help: * Make art and writing fun with a big craft kit like Giant Art Studio from Argos, £14.99. * Orchard Toys' Potty Professor game helps to make learning their times tables fun, £10 at orchardtoys.com.

Learning online: *Visit bbc.co.uk/education/dynamo for a huge selection of word and number games or try familyreading.org.uk, which has tips on encouraging children to enjoy reading books.

School years 2, 3 and 4

What stage they're at: * Regular homework involves spelling and maths. * They'll be doing projects on culture and history. * Learn about different types of poetry. What you can do: * Try mind maps to break projects into small chunks. * Join the library and stay there a while to read. Choose books for yourself too. * Visit woods, castles, museums or just the park

Buys to help: * Tony Buzan's Mind Maps for Kids (Harper Collins). * Creative construction helps with maths, science and design. Try K'Nex value tub, around £15, or Magnetix 70 piece kit, £14.99.

Learning online: *Check out funbrain.com for great word and number games - however, it's a US website so check the spelling of some words. Or try gridclub.com - it has over 500 games and learning activities you can register for.

Other useful websites *Visit booktrusted.co.uk and lovereading4kids.co.uk for suggestions of which books are right for a certain age group. You can download the opening extract from all the books featured on the latter site, and buy the books at 25% discount. Get some helpful ideas and further information from bbc.co.uk/parenting and parentscentre.gov.uk.

Get them to want to learn * Encourage, but don't insist. If you start arguing about the help you want to give, you'll soon put them off. * Make learning fun, then they'll pick things up without realising it. * Involve them in decisions about where to visit, rather than forcing them to go. * For more information on how a school delivers the National Curriculum, ask for a copy of its prospectus.

More help and advice - 7 ways to teach your kids big stuff - Helping your kids deal with disappointment - Expert advice on praising your child

Growing up isn't a race and there's no strict timetable for the speed your child will develop, but it's reassuring to know that there are some approximate timeframes for hitting some of the major milestones. Here's what to expect.

Birth to 6 months

Physical milestones

The wobbly newborn head disappears at 8 weeks. At 4 months he'll start to move, as muscle control develops from the head down. Your baby may begin sitting up by 6 months, as he gains muscle control in his lower back.

Cognitive skills

By 8 weeks, he'll know your voice and will adore looking at your face. Cooing and gurgling starts around 3 months. By 5 months, your baby will love to hear you talking in sing-song tones.

6 to 12 months

Physical milestones

7 to 9 months is the average for a baby to begin crawling. At around 8 months, he'll learn to use the pincer grip (between thumb and forefinger). At 10-11 months. He'll also be able to pull himself up and let go.

Cognitive skills

At 7 months, he realises that there are other people in the world ? but he prefers you. First words By 7 to 8 months, he may say Mama or Dada (but they are just sounds to him, not names). At 12 months, he gets clingy because he's realised that you could go away and not come back.

One to 2 years

Physical milestones

Walking 12-14 months is the average. Contact your health visitor if your child isn't walking by 18-20 months ? you may need to see a paediatrician. A baby can feed itself from around 14 months. From about 18 months they'll be able to throw or kick a ball.

Cognitive skills

The average age for joining up two words is 14-15 months. At 15 months, they'll start following simple instructions and pick up the cues of routine (eg, getting their shoes out when you mention going out).