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:Help with simple household tasksEnjoy playing alone for a few minutes, for example, looking at books, building with blocks or colouringShow ownership or possessionCannot share easilyRecognize himself in a mirrorPoint to show something to a parent | | Emerging Skills:Beginning to be able to be toilet trainedPutting on simple clothing without helpPlaying alongside another child |
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Problem Solving | | Typically Can:Understand how familiar objects are used, such as a spoon for eating, pages of a book for turning , a ball for throwingRecognize herself and family in photosAttempt simple 2 to 3 shape puzzlesSort objects into groups, for example, socks, toy cars, or different fruitSolve simple problems using tools | | Emerging Skills:Enjoying finger plays, nonsense and nursery rhymesMatching objects to a pictureEnjoying simple make-believe actions, such as feeding his baby doll and putting his teddy to sleepDeveloping shape and size discriminationUnderstanding that events can be sequenced |
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Numeracy | | Typically Can:Understand the passing of time and the meaning of "when we go home," "not now" and "tomorrow" | | Emerging Skills:Having a sense of more than oneExploring one-to-one correspondenceExploring written symbols for numbers |
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Language | | Typically Can:Use two-word sentences, for example, "more juice," or "more cookie"Sing songs in her own wayImitate new words and phrases, such as "go bye-bye," and "mommy's car"Name some pictures in a book | | Emerging Skills:Singing simple songs with correct words and actionsFollowing simple commandsMany more words are understood by others outside the family |
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Emotional | | Typically Can:Be unhappy about any changes in her routineBe subject to mood swings and tantrumsConcentrate on a task for some time, for example, 5 to 10 minutesShow concern for othersShow fears, but be able to be settled downHave bad dreams and nightmaresBe pulled in a tug of war between the need to be dependent and show independence | | Emerging Skills:Can be away from his parents for a short time, without being too upsetSaying "NO" a lotSharing a piece of food |
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Gross Motor | | Typically Can:Ride on small wheeled toysCarry a large toy while walkingKick a ballSquat while playingClimb onto an adult chair, turn his body around and sit | | Emerging Skills:Walking on tiptoesThrowing and retrieving objects |
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Fine Motor | | Typically Can:Fold paperStack three to four blocksTake lids off jarsFit cups and boxes inside of each other (nesting by size) | | Emerging Skills:Imitating horizontal lineOpening doors by turning knobs |
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