Development status

Last update: May 2022 | Next update: May 2023

The development status of children varies widely among countries

Early childhood development is multidimensional, encompassing several aspects of a child’s well-being: physical, social, emotional and mental. Healthy development generally takes place in a series of predictable and common stages: As they grow older and their brain matures, children learn increasingly complex skills and become progressively more independent. However, children can develop at different paces and may reach developmental milestones at different times. What is considered normal child development also varies across cultures and environments, since expectations and parenting strategies may differ not only among countries but also among cultural, ethnic or religious groups within the same country.

 

Early childhood development – development status