Milestones in early childhood are the key skills and abilities children typically develop as they grow. They serve as markers of progress in different areas of development and give parents, caregivers, and professionals a way to understand whether a child is on track or may need extra support.
Know the Four Domains of Development
There are four major areas of children’s growth and learning. Knowing about early childhood development helps parents/caregivers recognize that development is more than just learning to talk or walk: children grow in many connected ways and there’s a lot families can do to support their children’s learning and development across all of these different areas.
Heart (social and emotional skills)
- Social skills: playing with others, sharing, trust, empathy…
- Emotional skills: expressing and regulating feelings/emotions, understanding identity
- Outlook skills: persistence, independence, curiosity…
Mind (cognitive and problem solving skills)
- Focus and reasoning: paying attention, memory, flexible thinking
- Math: counting, numbers, geometry, measurement, pattnerns, operations
- Creativity: connection making, imagination
Body (physical skills)
- Gross Motor: big muscles used to run, climb, jump…
- Fine Motor: small muscles used to draw and write…
- Perception: where am I compared to the things around me?
Words (expressive and receptive language and literacy skills)
- Talking and listening: expression (e.g., babbling, using words to share ideas), comprehension (e.g., understanding increasingly complicated instructions)
- Reading: identifying sounds and letters, thinking about the structure of stories…
- Writing: representation (e.g., drawing shapes)
How can families monitor their child's development?
Families play a central role in monitoring their child’s early learning and development, since they see their child in everyday routines, play, and relationships. Monitoring isn’t about testing children — it’s about noticing, recording, and supporting growth over time. Here are some key ways families can do this:
- Play together! Read, sing, and engage with your child. Observe how they play and how they engage with the world. Families can keep track of what they accomplish with their child in their Sparkler scrapbook. Press “We did it” after each activity to keep track.
- Use developmental monitoring tools — such as Learn the Signs. Act Early. from the CDC (which is summarized within the Sparkler app under tips for adults) — to understand how children typically learn/grow throughout early childhood.
- Screen using the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (available in Sparkler) to learn about your child’s early learning and development and to identify any areas where they might benefit from extra support.
How can families know what to expect — what milestones are on their way?
When you complete an ASQ on Sparkler, the report you receive will list milestones that are coming up on the next ASQ. Look out for these milestones. In the app, families can also look at the summaries of each of the Learn the Signs. Act Early. milestones from the CDC. These help families understand the current milestones and what to expect as children get grow older.
How can families support their children's early learning and development?
Families are children’s first and most important teachers. The everyday experiences they create lay the foundation for healthy growth, school readiness, and lifelong learning. Families can play — using prompts from Sparkler — to grow children’s hearts, words, minds, and bodies.
- Play using Sparkler: There are 2,000+ activities in Sparkler that families can use to grow early skills. You can also track your own “Free Play,” the activities that you and your child do together on your own!
- Tips for Adults in Sparkler: Under “Tips,” families can find a series of units for parents/caregivers that help them learn about different aspects of child development, and how adults can support their children as they learn and grow. Learn about different skills (e.g., self regulation, expression, etc.), challenging behaviors (e.g., tantrums), and milestones (e.g., what should I expect now that my child is 2 years old?)
What should a parent/caregiver do if they're concerned about their child's development?
It’s important to trust your instincts! You know your child best. Here are some tips that can help families who have concerns about their child’s development:
- Keep Track: Note what you see and when you notice it (e.g., Is your child not using words by 18 months? Is your child having trouble crawling/walking? Is your child regressing and no longer doing things they used to do?). Screen using Sparkler or use other resources available in your community to track your child’s progress over time.
- Talk to Your Child’s Pediatrician: Share your observations and bring specific examples. You can show them your recent ASQ results and/or your notes on what you’re observing at home. Remember that well-child visits are designed to check in on your child’s height/weight/vision, and also to check on their growth and development! Ask questions when you have them! The American Academy of Pediatrics provides useful checklists for well child visits (from the 1-week checkup up through your child’s 9th birthday).
- Seek Support and Resources: For babies and toddlers (0-3 years old), find out about Early Intervention (EI) services in your state. These programs provide free or low-cost evaluations and supports. For children ages 3–5, contact your local public school district to request a preschool special education evaluation. Many cities and states have other free resources and supports available that can help families support their child’s early learning and development — from developmental playgroups to home visiting programs.
Developmental delays or differences don’t always mean something is wrong — but early identification and support can make a big difference in helping children thrive. If you’re concerned about your child’s development, don’t wait. Observe, talk with professionals, and seek an evaluation if needed. Early support can make a huge difference for children!