Be their biggest champion
Talk about developmental milestones with your child’s health provider today!
What are Milestones?
Milestones are new skills children learn as they grow. Milestones are helpful signs that show how your child is learning to play, talk, act, think, and move. Your child’s pediatrician looks at what most children are able to do by a certain age. Milestones are organized into 4 areas.
- Feelings and relationships
- Talking and understanding
- Thinking and problem solving
- Moving and growing
Every well-child visit is a great time to ask about your child’s development. If you have questions or concerns between visits, don’t wait, reach out to your pediatrician.
Feelings & Relationships
How your child shows emotions, plays, and interacts with others. This is also called social and emotional skills.
Talking & Understanding
How your child listens follows directions, and understands. This is also called communication skills.
Thinking & Problem-Solving
How your child figures things out and explores the world. This is also called cognitive skills.
Moving & Growing Strong
How your child grows, walks, crawls, runs and uses their hands. This is also called gross motor (walking) and fine motor (eating) skills.
Every child’s path is unique. Children usually grow and learn in a particular order but it doesn’t always happen at a constant speed. Think of milestones as building blocks. One skill needs to be in place before the next one starts. For example, most children learn to stand before they learn to walk.
Growing up doesn’t always happen in a straight line. Your child might fly through new words one month, then seem to pause that progress while they focus on learning to walk. This is a normal part of how children learn.
Why Track Milestones?
- Celebrate Progress: Keep a list of all the amazing things your child is learning to do!
- Find Support Early: If you ever have a "gut feeling" or a concern about how your child is growing, talk to your pediatrician.
- Peace of Mind: Understanding how children grow can help prevent unnecessary worry.
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