C. Samosa Milne
As parents, watching your children grow and develop is one of the most rewarding experiences. However, it’s natural to wonder if they are hitting their milestones at the right time. Understanding developmental milestones can help you track your child’s progress and address any concerns early on. In this guide, we’ll break down key milestones by age, covering physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development.
Birth to 6 Months
At this stage, your baby is rapidly growing and learning about their new world.
- Physical: Lifts head during tummy time, starts rolling over, begins reaching for objects.
- Cognitive: Recognizes faces, responds to sounds, starts to track moving objects.
- Social/Emotional: Smiles in response to interaction, begins to coo and babble, shows enjoyment in social play.
6 to 12 Months
Your baby is becoming more mobile and interactive.
- Physical: Sits without support, crawls, pulls to stand.
- Cognitive: Explores objects with hands and mouth, understands cause and effect.
- Social/Emotional: Expresses emotions more clearly, enjoys games like peek-a-boo.
1 to 2 Years
Your toddler is developing independence and curiosity.
- Physical: Walks independently, begins to run, climbs onto furniture.
- Cognitive: Says simple words, follows simple directions, begins pretend play.
- Social/Emotional: Displays separation anxiety, starts showing defiant behavior, enjoys parallel play.
2 to 3 Years
Your child is refining their motor skills and expanding their vocabulary.
- Physical: Runs with better coordination, jumps, begins using utensils.
- Cognitive: Uses two- to three-word sentences, recognizes common objects, starts problem-solving.
- Social/Emotional: Demonstrates independence, engages in pretend play, starts to understand sharing.
3 to 5 Years
Your preschooler is gaining more confidence and social skills.
- Physical: Rides a tricycle, throws and catches a ball, draws shapes.
- Cognitive: Knows numbers and letters, asks lots of questions, has a vivid imagination.
- Social/Emotional: Plays cooperatively with others, understands emotions, begins to follow rules.
5 to 7 Years
School-age children develop more advanced thinking and social skills.
- Physical: Improves coordination, learns to ride a bike, gains strength.
- Cognitive: Reads simple books, understands time concepts, solves basic math problems.
- Social/Emotional: Forms strong friendships, understands rules and fairness, manages emotions better.
7 to 10 Years
Children become more independent and socially aware.
- Physical: Becomes skilled in sports, refines motor skills for handwriting and drawing.
- Cognitive: Thinks more logically, understands cause and effect, improves reading and writing.
- Social/Emotional: Develops a sense of self, experiences peer pressure, begins understanding different perspectives.
How Educators Assess Milestones
Educators use various methods to assess developmental milestones, ensuring children are meeting age-appropriate benchmarks. Some common assessment techniques include:
- Observation: Educators observe children during play, classroom activities, and social interactions to assess physical, cognitive, and social development.
- Developmental Milestone Document: Developmental screening tools, such as the Developmental Milestones help measure progress in key areas.
- Portfolios and Work Samples: Collecting children’s drawings, writing samples, and projects over time allows educators to track cognitive and motor skill development.
- Parental and Peer Feedback: Collaborating with parents and caregivers provides additional insight into a child’s development outside the Service.
When to Be Concerned
Every child develops at their own pace, but if you notice significant delays in physical, language, or social skills, it may be worth discussing. Early intervention can be helpful in addressing potential challenges and our Service is here to help. If you have any concerns, please feel free to speak with your child’s Educator or contact Charli on educationalleader@benowachildrenscentres.com.au
Final Thoughts
Tracking your child’s developmental milestones can provide reassurance and insight into their growth. Remember, every child is unique and may reach milestones at different times. The most important thing is to provide a nurturing and supportive environment where they can thrive.
By staying informed and engaged, you can help your child develop the skills they need for a happy and healthy future!