Developmental Milestones
Developmental Milestones: What You Need to Know About Age-Appropriate Development (0–5 Years)
As parents, it’s natural to wonder “Is my child where they should be?” Whether it’s walking, talking, or making friends at nursery, developmental milestones can feel like a constant checklist. The truth is, development is not a straight line. Development is a journey with twists, turns, and lots of variation along the way. This blog will walk you through what developmental milestones are, why they matter, and what you really need to know about age-appropriate development in the early years.
What are developmental milestones?
Developmental milestones are the skills or behaviours that most children are expected to achieve by a certain age. They give us a broad guide to how children typically develop across different areas, including:
Gross motor skills – big movements like crawling, walking, and climbing.
Fine motor skills – smaller movements like picking up a crayon or stacking blocks.
Speech and language – babbling, first words, and forming sentences.
Social and emotional development – forming relationships, playing with others, expressing feelings.
Cognitive development – problem-solving, memory, and learning through play.
Why milestones matter (but why they’re not the full story)
Milestones are guidelines, not deadlines. They help professionals (and parents) notice when a child might need extra support, but they don’t define your child’s worth or future.
Every child has their own pace. For example:
Some children walk at 10 months, others closer to 18 months, both are within normal limits.
Language may come in bursts, with a sudden leap from single words to full sentences.
Social development varies – one toddler may happily play with others, while another prefers parallel play for longer.
Key developmental milestones by age
Here’s a simplified overview of what you might expect from birth to age 5. Remember: these are averages, not rules.
0–1 year
Smiles responsively (around 6–8 weeks)
Rolls over, sits without support
Crawls or shuffles, may pull to stand
Babbles and responds to their name
Begins to use gestures like waving
1–2 years
Walks independently, may climb
Points to objects, understands simple instructions
Uses several words, starts to join two words
Shows interest in simple pretend play
Strong attachment behaviours – separation anxiety is common
2–3 years
Runs, kicks a ball, climbs onto furniture
Scribbles and turns pages in a book
Vocabulary rapidly expands, starts forming short sentences
Plays alongside other children, beginning turn-taking
Shows big emotions – tantrums are a normal stage
3–4 years
Pedals a tricycle
Draws simple shapes and starts using scissors
Speaks in longer sentences, can be understood most of the time
Begins imaginative group play
Understands basic concepts like “big” and “small”, “under” and “over”
4–5 years
Hops, balances on one foot, climbs confidently
Can draw a person with several body parts
Uses full sentences and tells simple stories
Starts recognising letters, numbers, and enjoys rhymes
Shows more self-control, begins making friends
When to seek support
Trust your instincts. You know your child best. Early support can make a big difference. Most health visiting teams in England will make contact around 10 months and 2 years for their 1 and 2 year reviews. This is an opportunity to review development and discuss any worries you many have. If you notice your child has lost skills they once had, or there are persistent delays across several areas, it’s worth a conversation with your health visitor, GP, or early years setting prior to these contacts.
Final thoughts
Milestones are there to guide, not to worry you. No two children are the same, and development doesn’t follow a perfect script. By tuning into your child, providing a safe and nurturing environment, and seeking support if something doesn’t feel right, you’re already giving your child exactly what they need to thrive.
Need More Support?
We cover topics like baby sleep, toddler sleep, responsive parenting and managing toddlers emotions in our expert-led courses for babies and toddlers. If you’d like guidance that’s evidence-based and parent-friendly, check out our courses or for more personal support our 1:1 coaching.
References
Department of Health and Social Care (2023). Healthy Child Programme: Pregnancy and the first five years of life. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/healthy-child-programme-0-to-19-health-visitor-and-school-nurse-programmes
NHS (2023). Your child’s development: What to expect. NHS.uk. https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/toddler/learning-to-talk/child-development-timeline/
NICE (2015, updated 2022). Child development: assessing children aged under 5 years. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng121
Sheridan, M. (2014). From Birth to Five Years: Practical Developmental Examination. 5th ed. Routledge.
World Health Organization (2020). Improving early childhood development: WHO guideline. Geneva: World Health Organization.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2022). Developmental milestones. CDC.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework (2023). Department for Education. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2
Glascoe, F. P., & Marks, K. P. (2011). Identifying and addressing developmental-behavioral problems: A practical guide for medical and non-medical professionals. National Center for Learning Disabilities.