Developmental Milestones
It’s crucial for parents/caregivers to be aware of developmental milestones. The milestones help identify if a child is developing as expected. The milestones can also help caregivers support a child's development and identify potential delays by indicating if a child is growing and learning at the expected rate. If a child doesn't reach a milestone at the expected age, parents/caregivers can monitor for the child's progress in acquiring that skill. Tracking milestones can support early development by helping caregivers realistically understand what to expect at different ages. Milestones can also be a time to celebrate a child's growth and learning. If a child is not reaching a milestone, parents/caregivers can seek support and intervention, such as speech or physical therapy.
What are developmental milestones?
Developmental milestones are behaviors or skills that indicate a child's growth. They can include things like smiling, taking steps, or speaking words. Milestones are categorized into areas like language, social/emotional, fine and gross motor and cognitive.
Who can track developmental milestones?
Many people can track developmental milestones, including parents, grandparents, foster families, social workers and early educators.