Observing child development milestones is considered an integral aspect as far as creating a positive and nurturing environment for growth goes. Developmental Milestones in Early Childhood Years are markers for key stages of development of babies and young children. As soon as a baby is born, parents automatically start on an amazing trajectory of highs, lows and heaps of happiness. As kids get older, they will find themselves in different developmental stages that will impact their intellectual capacities, feelings, and physical characteristics.
Why it is Important to Track Child Development Milestones
About one out of five children in the United States has a developmental disability, and parents should monitor their child’s age-appropriate milestones. Tracking developmental milestones helps parents and caregivers know if their child is on track or if a child may need extra help. Additionally, being aware of these benchmarks gives parents a reference point for where their child should be in terms of growth and development.
Major Developmental Points in Children
1. Infancy (0-12 months)
There are a number of physical, cognitive, and social-emotional developments that infants will reach during the first year of life. Expected by 3 months: Social Smiles. Expected by 6 months: Sits up unsupported. 50% of infants will speak their first words by then, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016).
2. Toddlerhood (1-3 years)
Toddlers: Your child’s rate of growth and development increases during the toddler stage. As they are, children will soon shuffle and stride and spider along, gaining gross motor skills. Most toddlers are walking independently by 18 months of age. Similarly, they will also begin speaking early on — going from a few words at 12 months to some short sentences by the time they are 2. As development in this stage has such a wide range of abilities, it is important to keep track of the progress.
3. Preschool Age (3-5 years)
Kids in preschool years will also become more independent and socially interactive. They are going to play make-believe, meet new friends, and work on motor skill development. Jumping up and down, throwing a ball overhand, standing on one foot for 2 seconds by age 4. In addition, three-quarters of children will recognize letters and numbers, what we know as early harbingers to future academic achievement.
4. Early Childhood
It will be the time when children grow and move to formal schooling from early childhood. Their cognitive capacities will grow a lot as of this stage. Six-year-old kids by this time can count up to 100 and can do simple additions and subtractions. This will improve emotional regulation, help children more effectively verbalize their emotions, and navigate challenging social situations. In this period, it is very important for parents to help the child achieve the milestones through educational activities and social interactions.
Child Progress Support
1. Promoting Play-Based Learning
Playing is identified as part of childhood development. Study after study suggests that play is the way children learn best: it is as natural a teacher as touch, sight, or taste. Parents need to offer time for both private and unstructured play, offering fields where children can find what interests them and develop upon their skills naturally.
2. Increasing Communication Skills
Talking to young children is good for their language development. Not only does reading together, singing songs, and supporting storytelling help build verbal skills, studies have shown that children who are read to often have an expanded vocabulary and a greater understanding of language.
3. Setting Attainable Expectations
Knowing the stages in a child’s growth-and-development guide parents to envision for regular development. We have helped hundreds of families and parents to teach, care for, and nurture the child at home — remember every baby develops at their own speed. This is a journey with many highs and lows, but parents should celebrate the smallest of achievements and just know that kids develop differently.
4. Tracking Developmental Progress
This is a parent-friendly milestone chart. Print and keep this as eye candy so you can track your kids’ growth better. There are many free apps and resources out there that parents can use alongside tracking their children’s developmental milestones against their age-appropriate expectations. It identifies not only what areas are going well but where extra help may be needed.
5. Establishing a Nurturing Environment is Key
A safe, loving, and stimulating environment is crucial to all child development. Parents should focus on creating stability for their children, through routines and consistent emotional support. Children do best when they experience a safe and nurturing environment, which promotes healthy development throughout the lifespan.
Milestones for Toddlers: When Should You Worry?
Parents: Follow expectations for development when your toddler marches out the door, down the street, and around the corner. Toddlers major development milestones (1-4):
Physical Development
By 2 years, for example, toddlers can run up steps with an unlimited number of stairs. Intermediate physical skills involve body movement capabilities; those that contain a range based on strength and coordination. They will also begin to develop fine motor skills, such as stacking blocks and turning the pages of a book.
Cognitive Development
Toddlers at their age begin to start exploring and solving simple puzzles. They will learn the concept of “cause and effect” and begin to recognize common objects and faces.
Social and Emotional Development
By now, your child can have displayed favorites based on toys or people. They are on the brink of parallel play with other children.
Explaining Early Milestones
Recent breakthroughs show the vital importance of early life for laying down the blueprint for future growth and development. Parents can use the early milestones to see whether their child is overly delayed and may need help. Intervention may be important to improve long-term outcomes for children at risk of developmental delays.
Developmental or Physical Milestones
The CDC specifically states that by 12 months, your infant should be crawling on hands and knees (not yet bottom shuffling, as those kids are at high risk of developmental delays), pulling up to stand, and standing while holding onto furniture. Parents should watch for signs of coordination as well, like being able to throw a ball by age two.
Communication Milestones
By 1 year, children typically start to string one or two words together to form simple sentences. This facilitates greater communication of wants and ideas.
Social-Emotional Milestones
These include milestones such as the variety of emotions a 3-year-old may show and approaching others to play at that age. They also might better empathize with others and become interested in how other people feel.
How We Assist a Child in Developing
It is essential to know the child development milestones while you are on this parenthood journey to promote comprehensive growth and address any developmental disabilities. Parents can be instrumental in this process by keeping up to date with where different stages are, and significantly encouraging children to attain those milestones. A proactive effort, supplemented environments, and sustained engagement can light the path for their future. Therefore, they will not only survive but also build strong characters to face the world.
