Below you will find some ways children often act at certain ages. Remember all children are different, so don't be alarmed if your child doesn't do something
that another child the same age is doing.

Typical behavior for any given age does not mean that all children will act that way all the time. The order in which these stages follow each other is important.

A Healthy Baby's Cries

6 Months to 28 Weeks
• They're very social, like to smile at others, and are friendly to strangers
• Acts both social and self-sufficient
• Likes to grasp and finger objects, shifting from one hand to the other
• Takes great joy in banging objects, especially on a tray or high chair
• Listens to words and likes daddy's low voice which was once frightening
• At nine months, they learn to let go of objects and food and love to drop things or   food from their high chair

1 Year Old
• Shows wide range of emotions
• Sensitive to parent's mood
• Begins a period of adequately good functioning in all behaviors
• Begins to understand their bodies in space
• Motor abilities increase and may interfere with daily routines or habits
• Plays near other children but not with them
• Explores surroundings energetically
• Alternates between clinging and resistance to being held
15 Months Old
• The word "NO" has no or little effect
• Moods shift and quick anger is short lived
• Compulsive behavior
• Dart-dash-fling age
• Gets into everything and loses inhibition
• Loves to throw things
• Understands what belongs to others
• Is easily diverted and entertained
• Does not get along well with people

18 Months Old
• Not only will they not come when called, but they rarely obey any verbal command
• "NO" is their absolute favorite word
• Cannot "wait" - only thinks of NOW"
• Has no concept of sharing
• Thinks only of taking - not giving
• Easily frustrated and has short attention span
• Pick up or carry rather than call them
• Use short and simple commands
• Rather than demand the child to "mind," give very close and constant physical   supervision
• Needs lots of outlets for energy, especially stair climbing
• Language is more or less "jargon"
• Can distinguish between "you and me" and make claims of "mine"
• Temper tantrums begin

2 Years old
• Mature, calm and coordinated
• Can understand most language
• Language is just a use of words
• Uses language to make their wants known
• Ability to wait a minute and suffer slight frustration is very increased
• People more important and likes to please others
• Although they cannot as yet share, they can find substitute toys for others

2-1/2 Years Old
• Sets up rituals of behavior that must be followed, such as: the same cup, same   food, same stories, etc.
• Behavior is not a good one for groups
• Violent emotions
• Rigid and inflexible - cannot adapt, give in, or wait
• Domineering and demanding - they give the orders and make the decisions saying   they want to do it themself
• Age of opposite extremes - cannot choose between alternatives - "will"and "won't"
• Deciding what clothes to wear can take a whole morning
• All routines should be streamlined
• Make decisions for the child and situations where the child takes over

3 Years Old
• Separates from mommy without crying or throwing a tantrum
• Will start to be able to share rather than like to do things with "mommy"
• They become less rigid, less worried about doing things "their way"
• Become more interested in people and will join in play with other kids
• Understands taking turns
• Can make simple choices
• Makes bargains and sometimes keeps them
• Will sometimes work for a "surprise" reward
• Language is used in sentences and constant verbalization

3-1/2 Years Old
• Shows emotional extremes of shyness to being rambunctious
• Night terrors and animal phobias
• Can be tense, whiny, and clinging
• Is often quite insecure
• May become much less coordinated in all fields of behavior
• Can often be very demanding
• Needs extra love and support
• Stuttering often occurs
• Tension outlets such as blinking, nail biting, and facial tics often occur

4 Years Old
• "Test" rules, defy their parents more
• Loud, silly laughter alternates with fits of rage
• Expect tall tales, swearing, taking things - and a highly embarrassing command of bathroom language
• Seem overconfident
• Seem not to know the difference between fact and fiction
• Tattles, exaggerates, and boasts
• Hitting, kicking, throwing, and running away

Between 4-1/2 and 5 Years Old
• Cooperates with other children
• Shows sympathy for playmates when they are hurt
• Begin to learn the difference between real and make believe
• Power hungry
• Able to finish projects they start
• Can talk about things and are interested in learning
• Can begin to count but will make mistakes
• Often are interested in concepts like inside/-outside, back/front
• Better able to handle frustration
• Better coordinated

5 Years Old
• Loves to help and is eager to please
• Imitates, helps parents
• Language is literal ... they'll talk to anyone and everyone
• More stable, relaxed, brighter and cheerful
• Can succeed and feel good about success
• Learns not to interrupt
• May take things from school, thinking it belongs to them and can't deny themselves   of it
• Place school and home separately ... thinks their teacher lives in school

Adapted from  - http://loveourchildrenusa.org/agesstageschildhood.php

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