What are the developmental milestones?

As a parent, it's natural to be curious about your child's development and to want to know what to expect as they grow and change. One way to understand your child's development is by looking at developmental milestones.

Developmental milestones are the specific skills and abilities that children typically develop at certain ages. These milestones can be physical, cognitive (literacy and numeracy on the Earlybird App), or social-emotional, and they provide a general idea of what to expect as your child grows and develops.

It's important to note that every child is different, and they may not develop at the exact same rate or in the same way as other children. Some children may reach milestones earlier or later than others, and that's okay. However, if you have concerns about your child's development, it's important to speak with your child's doctor.

So, what are some of the milestones you can expect as your child grows?

In the first year of life, you can expect your child to:

• Lift their head while lying on their stomach
• Reach for objects with their hands
• Bring objects to their mouth
• Roll over
• Sit with support
• Say their first words

Between ages one and two, you can expect your child to:

• Walk without support
• Stack blocks
• Use single words to communicate
• Kick a ball
• Turn pages in a book

Between ages two and three, you can expect your child to:

• Run and climb
• Build towers with blocks
• Use two-word phrases
• Play make-believe
• Use the toilet

Between ages three and four, you can expect your child to:

• Catch a ball
• Pedal a tricycle
• Dress themselves
• Use more complex sentences
• Show empathy towards others

Of course, these are just some examples of the many milestones that your child may reach as they grow and develop. If you want a full checklist of the important milestones, check out the milestone tracker on the Earlybird app that lets you check off what your child can do, and gives you activity ideas for how to build that skill!

Download the *FREE* Earlybird parenting app in the Apple app or Google Play store.