Children’s early years are a fascinating time, defined by fast growth and significant developmental milestones that serve as the foundation for future success.
In this article, we dig into the crucial features of childhood milestones, providing parents with not only an awareness of their importance but also practical tips for actively promoting and supporting their child’s developmental path. Join us as we explain these critical milestones and the secrets to raising a successful and resilient child.
Understanding Developmental Milestones
Developmental milestones are crucial markers that capture the predicted abilities of children at certain ages. These include motor skills, social skills. language, and cognition. At Emirates British Nursery we support children across seven key areas of development which include the following:
- Physical development
- Social and emotional development
- Communication and language
- Creative and artistic development
- Mathematics
- Literacy
- Knowledge and understanding of the world
Regular monitoring of children’s milestones across broad development goals supports children to achieve school readiness and have a solid foundation for all future learning and development.
Key Milestones from 2 Months to 2 Years
Here’s a quick rundown of key milestones per month within this age range:
- 2 – 3 months old: Children develop arm control and learn to raise their head to a 45 degree angle while on their stomach. They begin to follow moving things with their eyes, and begin reacting to their own name when called.
- 4 months old: Children learn to hold their head up 90 degrees unsupported, to grab and shake objects, laugh, and expresses joy.
- 5 months old: At this age children reach for objects, can move objects between their hands, and recognise familiar faces and objects.
- 6 months old: Children begin to roll over, sit with minimal help, and pick up tiny things with thumb and index finger.
- 7 months old: Children stand with help, babble by stringing vowels together, and display separation anxiety from carers.
- 8 months old: Children sits alone, feed themselves with fingers, wave goodbye, and play interactive games like peekaboo.
When it comes to developmental milestones, babies rapidly develop new talents with each passing month, showing their growing personality traits.
8 to 18 Months
Now let’s talk about 18 month old developmental milestones. As newborns grow into toddlers, they start chattering and copying words, then crawling and cruising while supported, before taking their first hesitant steps.
An 18-month-old’s vocabulary is likely to be 10-20 words, indicating that they are developing linguistic skills and are beginning to establish their independence by moving around. Let’s dive into further details!
- 8 to 12 months old – Children become more involved with others around them. They begin to wave farewell. Their hand-eye coordination develops so they can feed themselves with their fingers, demonstrating growing independence and dexterity required for later developmental stages.
- 12 to 14 months old – This is when you will see children take their first hesitant steps, moving from crawling to walking. Linguistic development progresses with the first words being spoken. Curiosity about the environment and a need to touch and explore items grow.
- 14 to 18 months old – When children reach this age we see a lot of development of language understanding and expression. They will mimic words and sentences. Children will also learn to stack blocks, due to improved motor coordination. They will begin to initiate social interactions, demonstrating the beginnings of comprehending and responding to others.
18 Months to 2 Years
Children improve their balance and coordination by running, jumping, and maneuvering play equipment. They begin to follow two-step directions and enjoy engaging in imaginative play. They also begin rapidly expanding their vocabulary. Two-year-olds thrive on interactive social situations, which provide the foundation for future social and emotional development.
- 19 to 20 months old – Children can now follow basic two-step directions, demonstrating their cognitive development. Their language grows quickly, and physical activity such as running and jumping becomes more synchronised.
- 21 to 24 months old – At this stage vocabulary grows and starts composing short phrases. Children move onto more complex stacking and sorting activities due to increased cognitive ability, They can participate in more complex social interactions and learn to share and take turns, laying the groundwork for strong interpersonal connections.
At Emirates British Nursery we understand that recognising and celebrating these milestones in a supportive atmosphere encourages continuing growth and development and a solid foundation for all future learning and development. Each child is unique and learns at their own pace- monitoring children’s development.
Wrapping Things Up
While developmental milestones give a basic guide to a child’s growth and development, it is critical to recognize that each child grows differently. Sometimes development can be impacted by variables such as genetics and environment. However more often than not children follow a natural path of development at their own pace. While monitoring developmental milestones is critical for early intervention when necessary, bear in mind that some variation in meeting these milestones is typical. Consulting with your pediatrician provides personalised advice and direction for your child’s unique developmental journey.
Emirates British Nurseries are a renowned early years facilities with highly qualified staff who are experts in developing all aspects of children’s development. Discover how EBN actively supports your child’s unique path of learning and development through a play-based early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. Register for a tour and join us on your child’s exciting learning journey today.
