Range of normal behaviours in children aged 1 to 12 years
Age (y) | Activity |
---|---|
1–2 | Initially crawling and walking supported by furniture, then walking and running |
Feeds themself | |
Plays with toys | |
Starting to communicate with increasing vocabulary; will understand more than they can yet say themselves | |
Independent and opinionated: cannot be reasoned with | |
Curious but with no sense of danger | |
Frightened of strangers | |
2–5 | Illogical thinkers (by adult standards) |
May misinterpret what is said to them | |
Fearful of being left alone, loss of control and being unwell | |
Limited attention span | |
5–12 | Talkative |
Understand the relation between cause and effect | |
Pleased to learn new skills | |
Older children may understand simple explanations about how their bodies work and their illness | |
Fearful about separation from parents, loss of control, pain, and disability | |
May be unable to express their thoughts | |
Desire to “fit in” with peers |