Tracking Child Development Milestones

Key Milestones for Tracking Your Child’s Growth 

child development milestones main category

Understanding Developmental Milestones

Developmental milestones are major indicators of a child’s growth and progress, serving as a checklist to help parents and caregivers ensure that children develop skills at an expected rate. These age-specific tasks encompass various domains, including motor skills, cognitive abilities, language development, and social-emotional growth. While each child is unique and may reach these milestones at their own pace, understanding typical development can help identify potential concerns early on. Milestones are a useful guide to gauge whether a child is developing typically, allowing parents and caregivers to provide the necessary support when delays are identified.

Major Developmental Milestones by Age

Infants (0-12 months):

    • Motor Skills: By around 6 months, most infants can sit without support, while by 12 months, many can stand and may even take their first steps.
    • Language Skills: Babbling begins around 4-6 months, and by 12 months, infants often say their first words.
    • Social Skills: Infants typically start to smile at familiar faces by 2 months and develop stranger anxiety by 9 months.

Toddlers (1-3 years): 

    • Motor Skills: By 18 months, toddlers usually walk independently; by 2 years, they can run and climb.
    • Language Skills: Toddlers rapidly expand their vocabulary, often speaking in two-word sentences by 24 months.
    • Social Skills: By age 2, toddlers begin parallel play and imitate adults and other children.

Preschoolers (3-5 years):

    • Motor Skills: By age 3, children often pedal tricycles and can draw simple shapes; by age 5, they can hop on one foot and start dressing themselves.
    • Language Skills: By age 3, children can form simple sentences, and by age 5, they have a good grasp of grammar and can tell stories.
    • Social Skills: Preschoolers start to play cooperatively with peers and understand the concept of sharing.

School-Age Children (6-12 years):

    • Motor Skills: Improved coordination allows school-age children to participate in sports and complex games.
    • Language Skills: By this age, children develop more sophisticated language skills, including reading and writing.
    • Social Skills: They form stronger friendships and understand social rules and norms more clearly.

Importance of Monitoring Milestones

Monitoring developmental milestones is essential for early detection of any delays or potential issues. Regular check-ups with pediatricians often include milestone assessments to ensure a child is on track. Parents should observe their child’s progress, noting when certain skills are achieved, and consult with healthcare professionals if there are any concerns about developmental delays.

What to Do If There Are Concerns

If a child does not meet developmental milestones within the typical age range, it is important to seek medical advice and consider early intervention. FDNA’s Child Development Checker app supports parents and healthcare professionals in tracking developmental progress by identifying potential signs of delays or disorders. In addition, parents can promote their child’s development at home through activities like reading, interactive games, and physical exercise. By understanding and monitoring developmental milestones, and with proper medical guidance, parents can ensure timely interventions and provide the support needed for their children to thrive and reach their full potential.

Evaluation

Do You Have Concerns About Your Child’s Development?

Complete our online AI-based assessment and receive more information on possible causes and recommendations on how to assist your child.

Start your free evaluation

Search our Resource Center

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Filter by Categories
ACMG
Case Study
Diagnostic odyssey
Events/Conferences
Face2Gene
Geneticist profile
Genomics
Phenotyping
Rare Diseases
Scientific Abstracts
Talks
Technology
Uncategorized
Videos

Articles about Tracking Child Development Milestones

  • Child Development Milestones

    Key Infant Development Milestones Every Parent Should Know

    There may be many obstacles along the way, including: Lack of access to the right medical attention, specialists, and care. Lack of access to the right information about the possible genetic syndrome or rare disease the family faces. The possibility of misdiagnosis. Being stranded in a diagnostic journey, unsure of where and how to access the right information or medical specialists and testing to reach a diagnosis. Lack of support as the family navigates a new reality and future.

    Read more
  • Child Development Milestones
    tracking sensory development milestones in infants and toddlers

    Tracking Sensory Development Milestones in Infants and Toddlers

    Understanding developmental milestones and identifying potential delays is essential for supporting your child’s growth and ensuring their long-term success. This article will cover common developmental milestones, the symptoms of developmental delays, and tips for supporting your child’s positive development. We will also address the emotional impact of developmental delays and provide support for families and individuals affected by it.

    Read more
  • Child Development Milestones
    when to seek help understanding delays in developmental milestones

    When to Seek Help: Understanding Delays in Developmental Milestones 

    Understanding developmental milestones and identifying potential delays is essential for supporting your child’s growth and ensuring their long-term success. This article will cover common developmental milestones, the symptoms of developmental delays, and tips for supporting your child’s positive development. We will also address the emotional impact of developmental delays and provide support for families and individuals affected by it.

    Read more
  • Child Development Milestones

    Social and Emotional Milestones for Kids: A Parent’s Guide 

    Understanding developmental milestones and identifying potential delays is essential for supporting your child’s growth and ensuring their long-term success. This article will cover common developmental milestones, the symptoms of developmental delays, and tips for supporting your child’s positive development. We will also address the emotional impact of developmental delays and provide support for families and individuals affected by it.

    Read more
  • Child Development Milestones
    early cognitive development milestones what to expect

    Early Cognitive Development Milestones: What to Expect 

    Understanding developmental milestones and identifying potential delays is essential for supporting your child’s growth and ensuring their long-term success. This article will cover common developmental milestones, the symptoms of developmental delays, and tips for supporting your child’s positive development. We will also address the emotional impact of developmental delays and provide support for families and individuals affected by it.

    Read more
  • Child Development Milestones

    Recognizing Fine Motor Skill Milestones in Young Children 

    Understanding developmental milestones and identifying potential delays is essential for supporting your child’s growth and ensuring their long-term success. This article will cover common developmental milestones, the symptoms of developmental delays, and tips for supporting your child’s positive development. We will also address the emotional impact of developmental delays and provide support for families and individuals affected by it.

    Read more
  • Child Development Milestones
    Developmental Delay: A Guide for Parents - FDNA Health

    Developmental Milestones: What Every Parent Should Know

    Understanding developmental milestones and identifying potential delays is essential for supporting your child’s growth and ensuring their long-term success. This article will cover common developmental milestones, the symptoms of developmental delays, and tips for supporting your child’s positive development. We will also address the emotional impact of developmental delays and provide support for families and individuals affected by it.

    Read more
  • Child Development Milestones

    3 Year Old is Not Talking. Next Steps?

    For many parents, speech delay is a real and growing concern. In the US alone, around 5% of children aged between 3-10 years old experience some degree of speech and language. Tracking a child’s speech development is crucial in ensuring that children and their families receive help in supporting their child’s speech development and overcoming, where possible, any delay.

    Read more
  • Child Development Milestones

    14 Month Old is Not Walking, When to Worry?

    There are many developmental milestones a baby will reach in the first few years of their life. These skills will cover all areas of their development, from their gross motor and physical skills to their emotional, social, and cognitive development, to their speech, language, and comprehension skills.

    Read more
Showing 1 to 9 of 13 results