Child development is how a child learns, grows, and develops as they get older. This tool kit gives parents and teachers information about child development milestones, parent monitoring, concerns about development, and next steps to take if there is a concern.
Child Development Milestones
Milestones are exciting moments in a child’s life that provide evidence of growth and development. As young children grow and learn, they develop in how they move, communicate, play, and interact with other people.
It can be a celebration when parents notice their child reaches a milestone, such as learning to walk or saying their first words! Whether a child is 6 months old or 4 years old, there are unique milestones they should be meeting. Each birthday brings new milestones to look for and celebrate.
A good source of information about this is CDC’s Developmental Milestones. On this webpage, you can select the child’s age and see a list of what most children do by that age. Next to each milestone is a photo or video of a child demonstrating that skill. These photos and videos, also shown in Milestones in Action, can help parents identify whether their child is meeting a particular milestone.
Parent Monitoring
Parents and family members are important partners in a child’s development. Parents are a child’s first teacher and know their child best. Just by watching their child play, talk, and move, parents have essential information about how their child is developing.
Parents should take time each year, or more frequently for a child under the age 1, to check their child’s development. Using checklists like CDC’s Developmental Milestones and their new Milestone Tracker app are easy ways for parents to watch their child and check off whether they have met the various milestones for their age. Checking in with milestones regularly is important for a child’s healthy development.
Concerns About Development
Sometimes young children can develop differently (or at different rates) than others. If a child is missing milestones, parents may feel worried or anxious. This is understandable and a natural reaction. Fortunately, there are people who can help. Parents can request a developmental screening from their pediatrician at a regular doctor’s visit by bringing up their concerns about missed milestones they have noticed. CDC’s How to Talk to the Doctor about Developmental Concerns provides helpful suggestions for parents.
Many pediatricians do developmental screenings regularly for all children, just to make sure each child is developing on track. Some doctors wait for parents to request a screening, and that is OK, too. Screenings are quick and simple. For more information about developmental screenings, read IEL’s tip sheet What Is Developmental Screening?
If a child attends childcare or preschool, parents can also reach out to a child’s teacher with questions about development. Teachers may also be trained and ready to do developmental screenings, or they may recommend going through a pediatrician. Either way, after finishing the screening, parents will learn if their child is developmentally on track or may need further assessment.
Next Steps if There Is a Concern
If a child completes a screening indicating more assessment is needed, parents can request a referral for an evaluation or comprehensive assessment. Evaluations are more in-depth assessments of a child’s development. An evaluation provides information about a child’s strengths and weaknesses, based on their age. For ages birth to age 3, Illinois parents should contact their local Child and Family Connections office. For ages 3 and up, parents should contact their local school district.
Screenings and evaluations are available at no cost to families of young children in Illinois who require them. Services such as speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy may be available if the evaluation results show a need for specific therapies. Getting support for a child as early as possible is essential to their development. You can learn more about the importance of acting early with CDC’s Why Act Early if You’re Concerned about Development?
To learn more about resources for children under age 3, check out our Early Intervention: Resources for Families, Childcare, and Early Childhood Teachers tool kit and our Early Intervention resource list.
You can learn more about resources for children ages 3 through 5 with our Special Education Assessment tip sheet series.
Parents and Teachers Working Together
It is important for families to work together with their child’s teacher. Being on the same page as parents helps the teacher better understand the child, recognize strengths and challenges in their development, and help them develop skills in the classroom. With positive relationships between parents and teachers, children do better in school and at home.
Parents sharing concerns about their child’s development with the teacher is an important step in promoting effective communication and a healthy parent-teacher relationship. Some tips for effective parent-teacher communication are:
- Communicate early and often.
- Set up a meeting during a time where both parties can provide undivided attention, not during drop-off or pick up.
- When talking, remember that a child may do things differently at home than in childcare or school.
- Listen carefully to learn from each other.
Parents and teachers can problem-solve and offer ideas to help the child in the classroom. They can take appropriate steps if a screening or evaluation is needed.
For early childhood educators who are interested in learning more about child developmental milestones and talking to parents about their child’s development, CDC’s online training Watch Me! Celebrating Milestones and Sharing Concerns is a great no-cost course to consider and offers a continuing education certificate.
IEL Resources
Tip Sheets:
- Special Education Assessment for Preschool-Aged Children: Participating in the Assessment
- Special Education Assessment for Preschool-Aged Children: Referral and Getting Started
- Special Education Assessment for Preschool-Aged Children: Reviewing Results and Next Steps
- What Is an IEP?
- What Is Assessment?
- What Is Developmental Screening?
Tool Kits:
Resource List:
Web Resources
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Indicadores del Desarrollo
CDC’s Developmental Milestones (inglés)Fuente: Centers on Disease Control (CDC)Las destrezas como dar el primer paso, sonreír por la primera vez y decir “adiós” con la mano se llaman indicadores del desarrollo. Los niños manifiestan estos indicadores en sus maneras de jugar, aprender, hablar, portarse y andar, sea a gatas o caminando. Este sitio presenta una lista de los indicadores del desarrollo para niños entre los 2 meses y los 5 años de edad. (Disponible también en inglés)
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Early Intervention Office Locator (inglés)
Fuente: Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)
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Qué decir…
How to Talk to the Doctor about Developmental Concerns (inglés)Fuente: Centers on Disease Control (CDC)Los siguientes consejos lo ayudarán para hablar con el personal del consultorio médico de su hijo y de los centros de evaluación.
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La aplicación Sigamos el Desarrollo
Milestone Tracker App (inglés)Fuente: Centers on Disease Control (CDC)Desde el nacimiento hasta los 5 años, su hijo debería alcanzar indicadores en la manera en que juega, aprende, habla, actúa y se mueve. Hágale seguimiento a los indicadores del desarrollo de su hijo desde los 2 meses hasta los 5 años de edad; obtenga consejos para promover el desarrollo de su hijo; y averigüe lo que puede hacer si alguna vez le preocupa cómo va el desarrollo de su hijo. En esta aplicación se ilustra cada indicador del desarrollo con fotos y videos, lo que hace que para usted sea fácil y divertido hacerles el seguimiento en su hijo!
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Indicadores en acción
Milestones In Action (inglés)Fuente: Centers on Disease Control (CDC)Haga clic en la edad más arriba para ver fotos y videos de ejemplo de indicadores del desarrollo importantes.
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¡Mírame! Celebremos los indicadores del desarrollo y compartamos las inquietudes
Watch Me! Celebrating Milestones and Sharing Concerns (inglés)Fuente: Centers on Disease Control (CDC)Como proveedor de cuidados y educación temprana, usted tiene un rol fundamental en la salud y el bienestar de los niños. También está en una excelente posición para ayudar a identificar a los niños que tal vez necesiten ayuda adicional en su desarrollo. Este curso de capacitación en línea GRATUITO, “¡Mírame! Celebremos los indicadores del desarrollo y compartamos las inquietudes” lo ayuda a desempeñar ese rol al proporcionarle las herramientas y las mejores prácticas para monitorear el desarrollo de los niños que usted cuida y discutir los resultados con los padres.
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¿Por qué debe reaccionar pronto?
Why Act Early If You’re Concerned about Development? (inglés)Fuente: Centers on Disease Control (CDC)¡Reaccione pronto si está preocupado por el desarrollo de su hijo; eso puede tener un gran impacto en él y en usted! Si está preocupado por el desarrollo de su hijo, no espere. Usted conoce a su hijo mejor que nadie.