Introduction
Seeing our little ones develop and grow is a delightful experience for all parents. From their first walk to their first words, every milestone reached is a reflection of their developing capacities and potential. This blog will discuss some of the major developmental milestones of toddlers and children, marking their growth and development.
Crawling and Walking
Between 9 to 12 months, infants move by crawling, an essential developmental milestone in their physical development. It enables them to explore the world outside and strengthen their limbs. At the age of 12 to 18 months, they can walk, a wonderful milestone unveiling a whole new world to them.
Holding Things
Between 12 and 24 months, the babies begin to learn their fine motor. They learn to use their fingers and thumbs to pick up small objects, eat by themselves, and stack blocks. At the age of 3, they can use a spoon and fork to eat and hold a pencil or crayon to scribble and draw.
First Words
Language learning is an amazing mental success, from babbling to sentence formation. Children start uttering words like “mama” or “papa” at the age of 12 months. With growing age, their vocabulary expands, and they can express their needs and wants more efficiently. As they grow more linguistically adept, they can engage in meaningful conversations with individuals.
Problem-Solving
As toddlers and children grow, they start solving problems in their world. By the age of 18 months, they are able to solve basic puzzles or fit shapes into associated holes. At the age of 3, they begin to understand cause-and-effect relationships that enable them to grasp what their actions can create.
Social Interaction
Toddlers start observing their surroundings and the people around them. They also start playing with other children, playing without direct interaction. When they reach 2 or 3 years old, they start playing with other children with direction interaction in the game.
Empathy
Emotional understanding and regulation are an essential benchmark for children. At the age of 3, children start learning the sensation of empathy, where they feel sad for someone they know. They can comprehend why they are frustrated as well, and they label the emotion. For example, they are frustrated because they are hungry.
Key Points:
- Development milestones are crucial reference points that mark a child’s journey of growth. From the body’s achievements of crawling and walking to the mind’s strides in language acquisition and thinking, milestones set the stage for subsequent learning and growth.
- It is crucial as parents to celebrate and support our children’s success, giving them the right environment to keep flourishing.
- Remember that each child is unique, and milestones may differ slightly from one child to another. But you are concerned about your child’s development. Well, then it’s always a good idea to consult a pediatrician or a child development specialist.