Milestones

Infant and Toddler development is the earliest onset development for children. The different milestones for infants and toddlers shows each stage of their development. Even though a lot of infants and toddlers reach certain milestones together or near one another, that does not mean there are some who fall ahead or behind that window.

Physical Milestone

One of the most interesting facts to me is that infants develop physically by starting with the necks and heads. The head is one of the first things an infant can hold up on their own due to this. By the time a child is a year old they should be that they are able to take a few steps on their own. The best way for parents to help their child get to this stage would be helping their child walk around a few times a day. Starting with the most obvious thing, holding their hands and then letting them walk without a parent but using furniture instead. This helps a child to learn to support themselves the more they walk.

Cognitive Milestone

As infants and toddlers grow older, they begin to realize and understand how different things around them work. For example, they will bang their cups against a table to hear the sound over and over again. By the time a child is two years old they should be able to sort out shapes and colors. Going through the different shapes and colors with a child a few times a day will help them increase their knowledge in this. When a parent asks a child this age is asked what shape a square is, they will be able to tell you. Quite interesting how fast a Childs mind can work. I think people often feel kids are not as smart as they truly are.

Social and Emotional Milestone

In this we learn how infants and toddlers learn to realize the people surrounding them, who they want and need, as well as many other emotions. By the time a child is two to three years old, they should be able to express their own thoughts and feelings using small phrases. The way a parent can help a child through this is just simply showing them as much love and affection as they can. Also, talking to them about little things and saying things such as “I love you” will help with the small phrases. It is quite unique watching a child grow and be able to do things so quickly after they are born. They do understand more than they let on.