Early Childhood Development Stages

Milestones occur throughout the development of a child. Each child develops at his own individual pace, but delays in specific milestones may indicate a problem. Early intervention is vital to treating a variety of developmental delays.

Gross Motor Milestones

• Progression in the development of gross motor skills, or large muscle skills, is predictable. A baby learns to roll over and then sit up. An older infant may begin to pull herself up using furniture, then to walk with assistance. Walking independently and finally running are skills toddlers practice extensively. Age ranges for the completion of each of these skills will vary by child, but consult a physician if repeated delays occur or any concerns arise. By age 3, gross motor and small motor skills become separated.

Fine Motor Milestones

• Fine motor skills start to develop when a child begins to use his hands for intricate tasks, such as drawing and eating independently. Fine motor skills are not as obvious as gross motor skills. The ability to hold a crayon correctly develops more gradually than running.

  Provide opportunities to explore holding items at different angles. Drawing on large paper placed on the floor, painting at an easel or using finger-paints in the shower allow exploration of movement. Play with clay or sand to increase muscle strength. Stack blocks and roll balls to increase hand-eye coordination. Children learn through play, so providing opportunities to move freely on a regular basis is essential in the development of both fine and gross motor skills.

Language

• A baby's first cry is a language all its own. From smiles and coos to "mama" and "dada," the progression of language skills also follow a pattern. Forming simple words follows mimicking sounds. Two-word sentences by the age of 3 are followed by more complex sentences as vocabulary grows.

  Language is not exclusively verbal. Tone of voice, distance from the speaker and eye contact are important aspects of communication that most children learn through observation and practice. Communication is integral to cognitive development.

Cognitive

• Milestones for cognitive skills may not be as obvious as the physical benchmarks. Babies learn object permanence, toddlers learn shapes and colors, and older children learn to read and write. Remembering objects and events from one day to the next leads to a sense of time flow.

  Learning to take turns complements predicting events (what happens next). Play memory games and talk about events that happened in the past to practice memory skills. Provide open-ended toys, such as blocks and dolls, to allow for imaginative play. Children practice problem solving through role playing and free play.

Considerations

• Gross motor, fine motor and cognitive milestones are all interdependent. A child who has not learned to pass an object from one hand to the other is more likely to have difficulty learning to write. Sensory integration can affect all aspects of development. Contact a medical professional with any concerns.