Child Development Stages & Milestones: A Guide for Parents

Discover what each milestone means for you and your child, and how you can prepare and adapt every step of the way.

Newborn Baby Milestones (0-3 Months)

It’s those early, whirlwind days. Your newborn is adjusting to life outside the womb, while you’re adjusting to life with a new member of your family. Common baby development milestones at this stage are some of the most important.

Physical Milestones

Your baby’s head may be a bit wobbly at first, but by three months, they can start to raise their head and chest when lying on their stomach.1 You might also be pleasantly surprised to see your baby grab your finger and not let go, as their reflexes – including grasping2 and sucking – develop quickly at this stage.

Cognitive Milestones – when do babies start smiling?

Good news! Your baby will typically start to recognise your face in those early weeks. They might even start to smile back at you when you speak, or respond with a cooing sound. They might also turn their head and focus their attention on a moving object, or follow you with both eyes.²

Social & Emotional Milestones

During this time, your baby recognises and enjoys your presence, looking for reassurance through eye contact. You might also notice that they start to cry in different ways to communicate certain wants and needs.²

Health & Safety Tips

• Safe sleeping practices. Placing your baby on their back when they sleep reduces risks to their safety. ³

• Basic Hygiene & Care. Gentle sponge baths can be ideal to avoid infection, until the umbilical stump falls off. ⁴

Immunisations

• 8 weeks: 6-in-1 vaccine, Rotavirus vaccine, Men B vaccine

• 12 weeks: 6-in-1 vaccine, Pneumococcal vaccine, Rotavirus vaccine

* For more information, see Calpol immunisation schedule for children *

Infancy (4-12 months)

Your baby is becoming a little explorer! From rolling over to crawling around, 4-month-old milestones are all about movement and discovery. The same applies to 8-month, 9-month, 10-month and 1-year-old milestones too!

Physical Milestones – from baby crawling to baby teething

Around this time, your baby might start to roll over, sit up unsupported, or crawl towards their favourite things. Some babies might even start to take their first steps, although this isn’t always a guarantee.5 You’ll also notice a lot of drooling and chewing as your baby starts teething.6 This can be a challenging process.

Cognitive Milestones

Your baby might start exploring their surroundings, touching different objects and dropping things to see what happens. You shouldn’t be surprised to occasionally see them drop a spoon and pick it up – only to do it once more! Don’t worry though. They’re just a little Isaac Newton, trying to explore cause and effect.²

Social & Emotional Milestones

Around this time, your baby may develop a deep trust in you as your presence helps them to feel more secure. They may also develop stranger anxiety, clinging to you when you bring them around new people or other members of the family.²

Health & Safety Tips

• Childproofing the home. Make sure small objects are out of reach and any sharp corners of furniture are secured

• Introducing solid foods. You can begin with easy-to-chew foods such as soft purees or mashed foods.7 This can help with the baby teething process.

Immunisations

• 16 weeks: 6-in-1 vaccine, Men B vaccine

• 12 months: Hib/Men C vaccine, MMR vaccine, Pneumococcal vaccine, Men B vaccine

* For more information, see Calpol immunisation schedule for children *

Toddler (1-3 years)

That journey towards 3-year-old milestones is called the ‘terrible twos’ for a reason. Expect toddler milestones full of non-stop energy, and the occasional tantrum!

Physical Milestones – when does a baby start walking?

Most toddlers start walking by around 18 months and can be pretty agile – climbing sofas and running around the house by the time they’re two. You’ll also gradually notice your child taking interest in trying to use cutlery, and in drawing and stacking blocks as they develop their fine motor skills.²

Cognitive Milestones

Your toddler’s language skills are rapidly developing at this stage. Once they’ve said their first word, expect them to start picking up words from conversations as well. They might even start stringing words together into short sentences. ⁵

They also develop problem-solving skills at this stage, from trying to figure out how to open cupboards to exploring how things around them work.²

Social & Emotional Milestones

This is where your child will start to show their first signs of independence. For example, they might want to say ‘no’ to the ‘choo-choo’ train and hold a spoon in their own as they eat. They may also help with tasks like putting away their toys.²

Health & Safety Tips

• Dental care. As brushing can become a challenge during the teething age, it’s important to establish good dental care habits early on.

• Managing temper tantrums. Stay calm during tantrums. Giving in will not help in the long-term.⁸

Immunisations

• 1 year: Hib/MenC vaccine, MMR vaccine, Pneumococcal vaccine, MenB vaccine

• 2- 4 years: Children’s flu vaccine (occurs every year until children finish year 11 of secondary school)

* For more information, see Calpol immunisation schedule for children *

Preschool (4-5 years)

At this stage, your little one is growing up fast, ready to take on more of the outside world and make new friends. Preschool milestones to expect include:

Physical Milestones

Many children will have improved coordination, with activities like jumping, balancing and climbing becoming much easier. They might also find interest in activities like riding a tricycle or kicking a ball. 2 Your child might also experience

Cognitive Milestones

This is the stage that your child starts to recognise letters and do basic maths, such as counting.2 They’re also very imaginative, creative and good at coming up with simple stories and games. Don’t be surprised if your child tells you they have an imaginary friend.⁵

Social & Emotional Milestones

Your child may start to create a social circle of friends away from you or the family, such as at daycare. They’ll learn social skills including empathy and cooperating with others, collectively known as ‘theory of mind’, as well as an understanding of different rules.²

Health & Safety Tips

• Encourage healthy eating habits. Introducing your child to the importance of a balanced diet early on can set the stage for healthy, lifelong habits.

• Preparing for school. You can help your child feel confident about school as an opportunity to make new friends and gain independence. This may be easier if they have an older sibling already there, but if not, focus on the positives and help them build an understanding of what to expect.

Immunisations

• 3 years & 4 months: 4-in-1 pre-school booster, MMR vaccine

Middle Childhood (6-10 years)

From this point, child development is focused even more on gaining independence, and fostering friendships.

Physical Milestones

At this stage, you may notice that your child’s fine motor skills improve considerably. They may now be able to write and draw with a lot more detail. Athletic skills can also see a surge – be prepared for them to run and cycle faster, and don’t be surprised if they want to participate in team sports. Expect to frequently update their wardrobe, as rapid height change, and growth spurts also occur at this stage.²

Cognitive Milestones

Literacy skills will typically improve, and they’ll be able to better develop abstract thinking – potentially gaining the ability to solve more advanced problems and apply some critical thinking to tasks.²

Social & Emotional Milestones

Your child will begin to develop their sense of identity, building their self-esteem and forming close friendships with likeminded peers. This is where they’ll also start to set boundaries with the world around them.²

Health & Safety Tips

• Encourage physical activity. Being involved in sport and other active hobbies can result in a more fit and productive lifestyle, as well as providing social opportunities.

• Promote a balanced diet. Growing bodies require a healthy supply of nutritious options to fuel growth. Try to encourage them to keep eating fruit and vegetables.

* For more information, see Calpol immunisation schedule for children *