Developmental Milestones to Anticipate During Your Child’s First Five Years

Watching your child grow from a tiny infant into a curious, active preschooler is one of life’s greatest joys. From their first smile to crawling, walking, and saying their first words, it’s a celebration indeed! 

While every child is a unique individual who blossoms at their own pace, there are general “milestones” that offer a helpful guide to typical development. These benchmarks encompass everything from their movement and communication to their interactions with the world around them. Many families at one point or another wonder how their child is “tracking” developmentally. This blog is meant to help highlight some of the exciting developments you can expect during the first five years of life.

The Wonders of Early Childhood: Milestones by Age

• Infancy (0-6 Months): In these early months, you’ll see incredible social and physical growth. Your baby will begin to truly engage with you, offering smiles when you talk to them (around 2 months) and seeking your attention with sounds and movements (by 4 months). They’ll start exploring objects by bringing them to their mouth and might even delight in seeing their reflection in a mirror (by 6 months).
• Growing Independence (7-18 Months): As they approach their first birthday, communication and exploration take off. You’ll notice them responding when you call their name and babbling with repetitive sounds, such as “mamamama” (by 9 months). Around 12 months, interactive play, such as pat-a-cake, becomes a favorite, and they’ll start looking for hidden objects. By 18 months, they’ll show a growing sense of independence, moving away to explore but still checking back to ensure you’re nearby. They’ll also begin pointing to share their discoveries with you.
• The Toddler Years (18 Months – 3 Years): This is a period of rapid learning and expression. By 2 years old, your child will be pointing to familiar objects in books when prompted (“Where is the bear?”), and eagerly trying out switches and buttons on toys. As they near three, their conversational skills will flourish, engaging in 2-3 back-and-forth exchanges and speaking clearly enough for most people to understand them.
• Preschool Adventures (4-5 Years): Imagination and social skills truly shine in these years. By the time they’re 4 years old, imaginative play takes center stage – they’ll love pretending to be a superhero, a teacher, or even an animal. Ruff Ruff! They’ll also start to grasp story sequences, telling you what comes next in a familiar tale. By age 5, they’ll be able to answer simple questions about stories they’ve heard and navigate social rules, taking turns with friends during games.

Your Partnership in Development: Key Takeaways

1. Celebrate Every Step: Every milestone, big or small, is a reason to celebrate your child’s unique progress. Celebrate with a photo or video to commemorate the occasion. Don’t forget to record the date in your baby book! One day, you will try to remember when it happened and be glad you made the effort.
2. Connect with Us Early: If you have any concerns about your child’s development, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Early conversations can make all the difference.
3. Trust Your Intuition: As your child’s parent or caregiver, you are their first and most crucial observer. Your insights are invaluable.

Tools for Tracking Developmental Milestones and Pediatric Support

To help you track your child’s incredible journey, we recommend utilizing the free milestone checklists available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These user-friendly tools allow you to note your child’s achievements and bring them to their next well-child visit. Taking the time to use this checklist helps us get a comprehensive picture of their development and discuss any areas where additional support might be beneficial.

If you or your pediatrician has concerns, we may suggest a referral to a developmental specialist who can provide a more in-depth evaluation and work with our team to create a plan that best supports your child’s growth.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also recommends routine developmental screenings during well-child checkups at 9 months, 18 months, and 30 months. Additionally, autism-specific screenings are recommended at 18 and 24 months of age. These screenings are quick, effective ways to ensure your child is on track or to identify areas where they might benefit from early intervention.

If you’re unsure about your child’s screening history, please ask us at your next appointment. We are committed to partnering with you to ensure your child thrives at every stage!