Physical development

• Turns head to the side when lying on their tummy
• Waves arms and legs, wiggles, and squirms when lying on their back
• Kicks legs when lying on their back
• Touches their face with their hand
• Briefly holds a toy when it is placed in their hand
• Grasps your finger when you place it in their palm
• Follows an object or person with both eyes

Communication

• Turns head when hearing voices
• Maintains eye contact
• Smiles when spoken to or when you smile at them
• Makes cooing sounds such as “aaah,” “gah,” or “ooo”
• Responds with sounds when you talk to them
• Cries when wet, hungry, tired, or wanting to be held

Encouraging Development

• Chat or sing to your baby during nappy changes or feeding – helps them learn language and strengthens your bond
• Talk to your baby about what they are looking at – encourages attention, focus, and early communication
• Use different voices and actions when reading, singing, or playing – develops listening skills and makes learning fun
• Copy the sounds your baby makes – supports speech development and shows them their sounds are important
• Dance and cuddle with your baby – builds closeness, comfort, and body awareness
• Place your baby on their tummy while they are awake, alert, and happy (tummy time) – strengthens neck, back, and shoulder muscles, preparing for crawling

Need more information?

• Activity inspiration for all ages – Tiny Happy People – Activities
• Learning to talk for 0 to 6 months – better health start for life
• Speech and Language UK

For more inspiration please go to Tiny Happy People – Activities for 0-3 month olds

Physical

• Lifts and holds head straight up while lying on tummy, looking around
• Brings hands together over chest and touches fingers when lying on back
• Holds head steady when sitting with support
• Reaches for a nearby toy when sitting with support
• Holds a toy, looks at it, waves it about, and may try to chew it
• Plays with fingers when hands are brought together
• Grasps or pulls at their clothes

Communication

• Smiles, coos, or makes noises at themselves when in front of a mirror
• Giggles and laughs
• Smiles or shows excitement when they see you after being out of sight
• May stop crying when they hear a familiar voice (other than yours)
• Makes sounds while looking at toys or people
• Produces high-pitched squeals

For more inspiration please go to Activities for babies 3-6 months – Tiny Happy People

Physical

• Rolls from back to tummy
• Plays with their feet while lying on their back
• Pushes chest off the floor and straightens arms while on tummy
• Sits up with support
• Leans on hands when sitting on the floor
• Gets into a crawling position
• Grasps a toy using both hands at once
• Reaches for a small object with finger and picks it up using thumb and all fingers (raking grasp)
• Picks up a small toy with one hand and passes it to the other
• Tries to get a toy that’s out of reach by rolling, turning on tummy, or crawling
• Teething

Communication

• Holds up hands to be lifted
• Makes sounds such as “ba,” “da,” “ga,” and “ka”
• Squeals and laughs
• Experiments with sounds by growling, grunting, and making deep-toned noises
• Repeats sounds back to you
• Enjoys looking at themselves in a mirror
• Reacts differently to strangers compared to familiar people (may stare, frown, or cry)

Encouraging Development

• Take a trip to the park – offers new sights, sounds, and experiences to stimulate learning
• Sing nursery rhymes and play peekaboo – teaches turn-taking and supports social interaction
• Play “ready, steady, go” games – builds anticipation, attention, and early understanding of routine
• Get down to your baby’s level (lying down or crouching) when playing – strengthens bonding and helps your baby feel secure
• Play with things your baby is interested in – encourages curiosity and focus
• Look at picture books together (using the same books helps with familiarity) – develops attention, memory, and early language skills
• Talk about what your baby is looking at – helps them connect words with objects and experiences
• Use different voices and actions when reading, singing, and playing – keeps your baby engaged and makes learning fun
• Talk in short, simple sentences – supports understanding of language
• Respond to their babbling by copying back the sounds they make – encourages communication and builds early conversation skills
• Reacts differently to strangers compared to familiar people (may stare, frown, or cry) – shows awareness of relationships and developing social recognition

For more inspiration please go to Tiny Happy People – Activities for 6-9 month olds.

au

Physical

• Sits without support
• Moves into a sitting position from lying down
• May crawl
• Pulls to stand
• Stands with support, bearing weight on feet
• Stands while holding onto furniture
• Bends down to pick up toys while holding onto furniture
• Picks up a small toy in one hand using fingertips
• Picks up a piece of string with finger and thumb (pincer grip, may take a few tries)
• Bangs or claps toys together

Communication

• Copy simple sounds
• babble making different sounds like “da”, “ga”, “ka” and “ba”
• say words like “baba”, “dada” or “mama”
• will give items when asked or put back items when asked for example ‘please give it to me’ or ‘please put it back’
• play at least 1 nursery rhyme game such as peek-a-boo, pat-a-cake or clap your hands.
• recognise family members
• may prefer to be close to familiar adults

Most children respond to noises by this age. If you think your child can’t hear you, it’s important to get this checked out.

Encouraging development

• Activities and games you can explore with your baby:
• Play with your baby at their level by lying down or crouching – helps bonding and makes your baby feel secure
• Take a trip to the park – offers new sights, sounds, and experiences to stimulate learning
• Play on swings – develops balance and body awareness while being fun
• Enjoy noisy play (e.g., spoons with pots and pans or an upturned pot) – teaches cause and effect and builds listening skills
• Play with puppets – encourages imagination, attention, and social interaction
• Read picture books together – supports early language development and builds memory
• Talk to your baby in short, simple sentences – helps them understand and learn language
• Respond to their babbling by copying back the sounds they make – strengthens early communication and turn-taking skills
• Talk about what your baby is looking at – helps them connect words with objects and experiences
• Use different voices and actions when reading, singing, and playing – keeps your baby engaged and makes learning fun

For more inspiration head to Tiny Happy People: Activities for 9-12 month olds

Physical

• Sits steadily and can move into a sitting position independently
• Pulls to stand from sitting and can sit back down again
• Walks around furniture (cruising)
• May crawl or bottom shuffle
• May stand alone
• Helps to turn the pages of a book
• Throws a small ball
• Picks up a piece of string with first finger and thumb
• Picks up small objects with the tips of their fingers

Communication

• Points at an object
• Responds to their own name
• Holds out arm or foot to help when being dressed
• Makes more meaningful sounds (e.g., “mamma,” “dadda”)
• Looks at an object when you ask where it is
• Offers a toy when you ask for it (may not let go)
• Plays with a soft toy or doll by hugging it

Encouraging Development

• Play with containers by putting toys in and taking them out – builds problem-solving and hand–eye coordination
• Look at picture books together – supports language development and attention
• Explore push and pull toys, musical toys, and stacking toys – develops motor skills, balance, and understanding of cause and effect
• Enjoy messy play – stimulates senses and encourages creativity
• Use thick crayons and paint brushes – strengthens fine motor control and early writing skills
• Chat at mealtimes – supports communication and social interaction
• Tiny Happy People – Activities 12-18 month olds

Physical

• Walk up and down stairs with support (hand, rail, or wall)
• Pick up things from the floor by bending or squatting
• Stack blocks
• Drop objects one at a time into a container
• Make marks on paper with a crayon or pencil tip
• Scribble on their own
• Show signs of being ready for a potty or toilet (18 months–3 years)

Communication

• Say several single words
• Point to body parts
• Offer toys to themselves in the mirror
• Get your attention by pulling on your hand or clothes
• Copy what you do, like cleaning up or brushing your hair
• Enjoy nursery rhymes and try to join in
• Follow simple commands (e.g., “bring me your shoes”)

Encouraging development 18 months

• Painting and crayons – encourages creativity, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination
• Sand and water play / bath toys – supports sensory development, problem-solving, and exploration
• Sensory toys – develops senses, focus, and cognitive skills
• Matching and sorting games – promotes cognitive skills and concentration
• Pop-up and stacking toys – builds fine motor skills, coordination, and problem-solving
• Magnets – stimulates curiosity, cause-and-effect understanding, and fine motor skills
• Balls to roll and kick – develops gross motor skills, coordination, and spatial awareness
• Pretend play / role play – fosters imagination, social skills, and language development
• Hide and seek – strengthens social interaction and problem-solving
• Story time and picture books – boosts language, listening skills, and imagination
• Simple puzzles – promotes problem-solving and fine motor skills

For more inspiration head to Tiny Happy People – Activities for 18 months to 2 year olds

2 years physical

• Kick a ball by swinging their leg or walking into it
• Run and stop safely without bumping or falling
• Jump with both feet off the ground at the same time
• Walk up or down at least two steps, holding a handrail or wall
• Able to ride-on toys or push toys around obstacles
• Drink from an open cup without a lid
• Hold and use a spoon correctly
• Flip switches on and off
• Turn pages of a book independently, may turn several at once
• Thread beads or pasta onto a string
• Care for toys or dolls, e.g., cuddling, feeding, putting them to bed

2 year communication

• Enjoys role play and imaginative play
• Can name familiar objects
• Uses “I”, “mine” and “you” correctly
• Combines 2-3 words together
• Follows simple instructions e.g. “close the door”
• Helps to tidy up, putting things where they belong

Encouraging development 2 years

• Messy play – encourages sensory exploration, creativity and fine motor skills
• Role play/imaginary play – fosters imagination, social skills, and language development
• Building blocks – develops fine motor skills, problem-solving, and spatial awareness
• Picture books – boosts language, listening, and early literacy skills
• Crayons and painting – promotes creativity, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills
• Simple puzzles – supports problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and fine motor development
• Matching and sorting boxes – strengthens cognitive skills, concentration

For more inspiration head to Tiny Happy People – Activities for 2-3 year olds.

3 years physical

• Walk on tiptoes when shown
• Walk upstairs with alternating feet
• Stand on one foot
• Catch a large ball
• Pedal a tricycle
• Climbs safely

3 years communication

• Can say their own name, sex and age
• Can say numbers up to 10
• Engages and interacts during role play
• Learning to play with other children and to take turns
• Beginning to understand sharing and taking turns
• Able to tell you what’s happening in a picture book
• Beginning to dress themselves and put on a coat

Encouraging development 3 years

• Trips to the park – promotes gross motor skills, balance, coordination, and social interaction
• Arts and crafts – encourages creativity, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and self-expression
• Matching and sorting games – supports cognitive skills, problem-solving, early math, and concentration
• Pretend and imaginative play – fosters imagination, social skills, language development, and creativity
• Play with bricks, boxes, trains, and dolls – develops problem-solving, fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and imaginative thinking
• Play opportunities (balls, sand, water, jigsaws, threading, drawing, colouring) – strengthens gross and fine motor skills, sensory exploration, creativity, and problem-solving
• Talking about feelings with toys – builds emotional awareness, empathy, language skills, and social understanding

For more inspiration head to Activities for 3-4 year olds – Tiny Happy People.

4 Years Physical

• Climb stairs using alternate feet
• Pedal a tricycle or bike with stabilisers
• Balance on one foot
• Throw, catch, and kick a ball
• Climb playground ladders and slide independently
• Draw a person with head, arms, and legs
• Hold and use a fork and spoon independently
• Undo one button on clothing
• Undo a coat zip
• Try cutting paper with child-safe scissors

4 years communication

• Know their full name (first and last)
• Sing several nursery rhymes
• Enjoy longer stories and tell their own stories
• Ask lots of questions
• Show sympathy to friends who are hurt or upset
• Play with a small group or one-on-one with another child
• Recognise when something is bigger or smaller
• Follow instructions like putting something under or over an object
• Understand simple instructions (e.g., “go and get your shoes”)
• Calm themselves when upset, sometimes taking up to 15 minutes
• Explain their feelings (e.g., “I am happy” or “I am sad”)
• May be shy or upset in new situations but settle with support
• Name at least 5 colours
• Sit still and listen to a short story or play with a favourite activity for 5–10 minute

Encouraging development 4 years

• Outdoor play (e.g., climbing frames, hopscotch) – develops gross motor skills, balance, coordination, and confidence
• Musical statues – supports listening skills, self-regulation, and gross motor control
• Construction toys (e.g., jigsaws, puzzles, board games) – enhances problem-solving, and fine motor skills
• Arts and crafts – encourages creativity, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and self-expression
• Playdough – strengthens hand muscles, fine motor skills, and creativity
• Books – promotes language, listening skills, imagination, and early literacy
• Matching games (e.g., pairs) – develops memory, concentration, and cognitive skills
• Teaching dressing and undressing – builds self-care, independence, and fine motor skills
• Encouraging independence on the toilet – fosters self-care, confidence, and personal responsibility
• Encouraging imagination – develops creativity, problem-solving, and social/emotional skills

For more inspiration, please go to Language development activities for young children ages 4-5.

5 years physical

• Balance on one foot and can hop
• Dancing
• Swing, climb and slide independently
• Dress and undress independently
• Use scissors safely
• Able to copy a few letters from the alphabet

5 years communication

• Speaks clearly and knows their name, address, and age
• Enjoys listening to and telling stories
• Has a best friend and plays with a small group of friends
• Use their sense of humour
• Imaginative
• Shows independence
• Counts up to 15
• Explains how they feel and why
• Can sit still and focus for 15–20 minutes
• Show concern if someone is upset or hurt
• More confident in new environments with little support

Encouraging development 5 years

• Outdoor play – promotes gross motor skills, coordination, strength, and confidence
• Swimming and riding a two-wheeled bike – develops balance, coordination, gross motor skills, and confidence
• Skipping and kicking a football – strengthens coordination, agility, gross motor skills, and teamwork
• Sewing kits – enhances fine motor skills, concentration, creativity, and hand-eye coordination
• Drawing and painting – encourages creativity, fine motor skills, self-expression, and hand-eye coordination
• Helping with home tasks (e.g., washing up, watering plants) – builds independence, responsibility, fine motor skills, and life skills

For more inspiration, go to Language development activities for young children ages 4-5.