Developmental milestones describe what most children are capable of doing at a particular point in time. Developmental milestones also provide a snapshot of the new skills many children will be starting to master in the upcoming months or year. Knowing what children are capable of, and what they will be practicing, can help you provide appropriate experiences to enhance your child's development. Remember, developmental milestones only provide benchmarks. Each child develops at his or her own pace. So, in any particular child some skills may emerge early, while others may appear later. If you have any concerns about your child's development, consult your child's physician.
Social | | Typically Can:Play with other childrenAt times, get frustrated and bite, hit or pull hairShare a piece of foodBe aware of sex differences | | Emerging Skills:May be identifying his own sexTaking turns in a song or gameCooperating in putting toys away |
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Problem Solving | | Typically Can:Better understand the similarities and differences of shapes and sizesSort groups of objects into setsComplete simple puzzlesName parts of the bodyEngage in simple pretend play with othersLearn to listen and follow simple directionsMatch familiar objects by choice | | Emerging Skills:Matching colours (red, blue, yellow) |
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Numeracy | | Typically Can:Become aware of how numbers soundBecome aware of the verbal sequence of numbers | | Emerging Skills:Understanding that numbers stand for a certain quantityDeveloping an understanding of one-to-one correspondenceUnderstanding ordinal numbersUnderstanding the concept of time - "soon," "in a long time," but not "yesterday"Counting up to five |
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Language | | Typically Can:Use personal pronouns such as "mine," "me," and "you"Express feelings verbally, such as "I’m mad"Use size words correctly, such as big and littleUse his own name to refer to himself | | Emerging Skills:Using plurals in a generalized way, for example, footsMaking three-word sentencesAnswering questions |
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Emotional | | Typically Can:Demand her own way for much of the timeBe attached to a cuddly or favourite toyBe rigid in the need for ordered routine and predictability, for example, what was done yesterday has to be done exactly the same way todayName several emotions and identify them in others | | Emerging Skills:Displaying frustration and tantrums if he is not understoodMay be developing sudden fears |
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Gross Motor | | Typically Can:Run without fallingWalk backwards and sidewaysClimb over furnitureWalk upstairs and downstairs alone, using both feet on one stepJump in place, both feet off the floor | | Emerging Skills:Pedaling a tricycleHopping on one foot |
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Fine Motor | | Typically Can:Build a tower of five or more blocksComplete a simple inset puzzleString beadsHold a brush and paints on paperClutch a pencil with her whole hand | | Emerging Skills:Using small scissors to cutImitating folding paper in halfScribbling a circlePulling up a zipper, but not doing up buttons |
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