Developmental Milestones: Is your child's development where they need to be?

Developmental milestones are things most children can do by a certain age. Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move. You see children reach milestones everyday.

Some examples of milestones would be:

• Taking a first step
• Smiling for the first time
• Waving “Bye-Bye”

Let's get into how you can identify milestones in your child's daily life and support them as they grow. Every child will develop at a different rate, while they continue to thrive here are the milestones you should be working on. In this blog you will be going through developmental stages from children 3 months to 5 years of age. Every child will develop at a different rate, while they continue to grow here are the milestones you should be working on or looking for. For more information Help me grow is a great website to understand and dig deeper into your child's needs. 

3 Months

• Following movement by turning their head
• Lifts their head and chest when lying on their stomach
• Moves their arms and legs easily
• Startles at loud noises
• Cries, smiles, and coos
• Quiets to familiar voices or touch

As these milestones start to develop there are may ways you can help support them on their journey. Such as providing interesting things to look at and responding to your babies cries and coos. Talking, singing, & reading to your baby is also a good way to help encourage these milestones.

6 Months

• Rolling over in both directions
• Starting to sit up with a little help
• Cooing, babbling, squealing and laughing
• Knows familiar facies and begins to know if someone is a stranger
• Uses hands and mouth to explore the world
• Transfers objects from hand to hand

Ways you can support your baby at 6 months of age is looking and reading books with your baby, introducing liquids in a cup and talking and playing with them. Be predictable and consistent with your baby. Watch and learn what they need or want.

9 Months

• Sitting without support
• Creeping or crawling
• Holding two objects at the same time
• Responding to their own name
• Making sounds like Dada, Mama, and/or Baba
• Showing feelings by smiling, crying, and pointing

Being available, gentle, and responsive with your baby will help with developing these skills. Talking to your baby about what you  are doing or seeing. Giving your baby a safe place to move around is always a good option. Starting to talk about feelings such as happy, sad, or mad will help your child start to develop the awareness of their emotions. Playing games and saying rhymes also helps with those developmental skills.

12 Months

• Pulling to stand and walks holding onto furniture
• Uses simple gestures like shaking head “no” or waving “Bye-bye”
• Says mama and dada
• Shows preference for certain people and toys
• Imitates gestures, sounds & actions
• Puts objects in and out of containers

Remember all children develop at different rates and many of these milestones may come sooner or later. The best thing you can do is encourage your toddler to help them to learn and grow. Including them in family meals and helping them learn limits by saying “no” in a firm quiet voice. Talking about and implementing consistent routines is also a big part of helping and understanding their needs.

18 Months

• Walking a line; beginning to run
• Saying 3 or more single words
• Trying new things with familiar adults
• Pointing to one body part
• Scribbling with a crayon or pencil
• Showing interest in other children

Providing toys that are age appropriate without having small pieces is a good way to help your child interact and encourage curiosity. You should be setting limits that are firm, fair, and consistent. Playing fun ages and singing songs with moments is a great way to keep your toddler active. 

2 Years

• Kicking a ball forward
• Walking up and down the stairs holding on
• Pointing to things or pictures in a book when named
• Using 2 or 3 words together
• Playing briefly beside other children
• Building towers of 4 or more blocks

Talking to your toddler about things you are doing is seeing is a great way to get your child to recognize the objects and using more words. Never be quick to temper, being calm and comforting after temper outbursts for your child will help teach them to regulate their feelings. Telling stories and encouraging pretend play will help stimulate their development at this age. 

3 Years

• Climbing and running well
• Building with blocks; 6 or more high
• Using 3 word sentences 
• Showing concern and affection for others
• Playing make believe with dolls, animals and people
• Doing puzzles with 3 to 4 pieces 

Letting your child help with simple household chores encourages self help skills. They should be learning to play, share, and take turns with other children. Big emotions come at this age and supporting the appropriate expression of feelings will help your child understand.

4 Years

• Catching a bounced ball most of the time
• Telling stories and recalls parts
• Playing cooperatively with other children
• Coping simple shapes
• Understanding the concept of “same” and “different”
• Able to follow instructions with 2 or 3 steps

Giving your child crayons, markers and a variety of play materials helps your child work on their fine motor skills while indulging in imagination. At this age you should be paying attention to when your child is talking and saying positive things for encouragement. Urge your child to use words and to ask for help. 

5 Years

• Hopping, may be able to skip
• Speaking clearly in sentences of 5 or more words
• Counting 10 or more objects
• Wanting to please friends and be like them

At the age of 5 your child will most likely be getting ready for Kindergarten. They need a lot of encouragement especially with the good things they are doing. Point out familiar symbols and words for your child to know. Be patient and responsive with questions when talking with your child. 

Immediate referral is recommended if you see any of these signs:

No Babbling, pointing or other gestures by 12 months

No single words by 16 months

No 2-word phrases by 24 months

ANY loss of language or social skills at ANY age

Visit HelpMeGrowMN.org to refer your child for confidential screening or evaluations, or call 1-866-693-4769

Is your child where they need to be?

If your child is doing all these activities, they are most likely on track with their development! Remember every child is different and may develop at different rates. CDC Guidelines for Developmental Milestones is another great website to check out if want to make sure your child is on the path to success.