Your Child’s First Years
Growth, Milestones, and More
Every child’s journey is unique, but understanding key developmental milestones can help parents nurture their child’s growth with confidence. Tender Ones Pediatric Therapy’s (TOTS) experienced therapists have carefully prepared these milestone checklists to help you understand your child’s development, providing insights on how to support them as they grow, move, and connect with the world around them.
While children develop at their own pace, knowing what to expect will help you recognize when extra support may be beneficial. This guide outlines essential milestones from birth to age five and offers strategies to promote your child’s learning, communication, and independence. TOTS is here to support you through every stage of your child’s development. In addition to this comprehensive guide, we also offer a free screening to assess your child’s development and determine if pediatric therapy could be beneficial.
Key Areas of Development
Your child is constantly learning, growing, and exploring their surroundings. Developmental milestones fall into five key areas:
1. Language & Communication
- Babies and toddlers use sounds, gestures, and facial expressions before they form words.
- Children have to learn how to follow directions, ask questions, and express needs and emotions.
- By preschool age, vocabulary grows rapidly, and conversation skills emerge.
2. Cognitive & Problem-Solving
- Infants explore cause and effect through play, like shaking a rattle or dropping a toy.
- As children grow, they begin to recognize patterns, solve simple problems, and use imagination in play.
- Preschoolers learn to count, sort objects, and make basic predictions.
3. Social & Emotional Growth
- Babies bond with caregivers, smile, and respond to familiar voices.
- Toddlers test boundaries, learn to share, and begin to play alongside peers.
- By preschool, children develop friendships, manage emotions, and engage in cooperative play.
4. Motor Skills & Physical Development
- From rolling over to walking, early movement builds coordination and strength.
- Toddlers refine balance, climb stairs, and begin using utensils and crayons.
- By age five, children can hop, skip, and dress independently.
5. Feeding & Self-Care
- Infants transition from bottles to solid foods, exploring new textures and tastes.
- Toddlers practice self-feeding with utensils and begin brushing their teeth with help.
- Preschoolers develop more independence in dressing, handwashing, and using the restroom.
Developmental Milestones by Age
Your child’s early years are full of exciting growth and learning, every day! This guide will cover each stage and explore detailed milestones, activities, and ways to support development:
Year One: Infancy (Birth – 12 Months)
Babies begin recognizing voices, babbling, and reaching for objects. They develop early motor skills like rolling, sitting, and crawling.
Year Two: Toddler Years (15 – 24 Months)
Toddlers start saying words, climbing, and exploring their environment. They begin asserting independence and learning through trial and error.
Year Three: Early Preschool (2 ½ – 3 Years)
Children engage in pretend play, improve speech clarity, and start solving simple problems using imagination.
Year Four: Preschool Years (3 – 4 Years)
Vocabulary expands, and children ask more questions now. Their coordination improves, and they begin playing cooperatively with peers.
Year Five: Pre-K Readiness (4 – 5 Years)
Children can follow multi-step instructions, build early academic skills, and engage in structured activities with other kids.
Curious About Your Child's Development?
If you’re unsure if your child is meeting expected milestones appropriately, partner with TOTS for your child’s best start! We’re dedicated to helping your child thrive, providing personalized insights and support. Call 770-904-6009, fill out our contact form, or schedule your free screening online to begin your child’s journey to success.