“Child development refers to the sequence of physical, language, thought and emotional changes that occur in a child from birth to the beginning of adulthood.” – Kid Sense Child Development
There are many checklists and parenting books that outline what stages and milestones children should reach depending on their age. But it’s important to remember that every child is different and there are so many different factors that can affect what they do and when.
In fact, hardly any of these checklists match each other, there’s usually at least one milestone not included. These should only be used as a guideline to help you have regular check-ins and assess certain patterns that you otherwise might not notice.
If you have any concerns about your child’s development, for example you feel they should be speaking already, or playing differently with friends, you can speak to a doctor / professional so that they can assess them correctly. They will be able to do so taking into consideration your child’s personality, different external circumstances that may have an influence on them, and other developmental stages.
For the answers to your most frequently asked questions about child development, including how to support them as a parent / carer / guardian, please continue to the FAQ section below.
