If you’ve ever felt uncertain or anxious about your child’s development, you’re not alone. Cue the playground comparisons, the grandparent commentary, the 2 a.m. Googling. 

It’s human nature to compare, to question and to research. But it’s important to keep in mind that milestones are a guide — not a race. 

Here’s what developmental milestones actually are and what a normal range of development looks like. We’ll also look at how providers use screenings to ensure every child gets the support they need.

What Are Developmental Milestones

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), developmental milestones are skills or behaviors most kids can do by a certain age. This doesn’t mean all kids, and there’s not a fixed deadline.

Developmental milestones fit into four growth areas:

1. Language and communication: How your child expresses themselves and understands others, from cooing and babbling to first words and simple sentences.
   
   
2. Movement: How your child moves and controls their body, from rolling over and walking to using their hands and fingers to pick up small toys or hold a spoon. 
   
   
3. Thinking and learning: How your child thinks and learns, from exploring objects to figuring out how to complete simple tasks. 
   
   
4. Social and emotional skills: How your child relates to others and manages their feelings, including making eye contact, recognizing familiar faces and learning to play with other kids.

Understanding the Range of Development

You’ve probably heard some common misconceptions about child development. Perhaps someone told you that boys talk later than girls. That if your child isn’t talking by age 2, something is wrong. Or maybe you heard that the early walker is the late talker.  

Those aren’t always true. There’s a large range for when a child can develop a certain skill. 

Take first steps, for instance. Anywhere from 9 to 18 months is considered within the normal range for when kids begin to walk. Kids often say their first words around their first birthday, though the normal range extends well beyond that. What matters is whether your child is making progress, not the exact timing.

What To Watch For

At every well-child visit, your child’s doctor will look at the full picture. They’re tracking progress across all four growth areas over time, not just a single milestone on a specific date.

Certain signs are worth bringing up with your child’s provider. If your child loses skills they previously had (called regression), hasn’t made progress across visits or is missing multiple milestones, let your provider know.  

In addition to monitoring development at every visit, the AAP recommends that providers conduct standardized developmental screenings at 9, 18 and 30 months using a questionnaire. The questionnaire is a screening tool used to assess development more closely. This tool is not meant to diagnose but rather to flag areas where further evaluation might be needed. 

The AAP also recommends screening for autism at the 18- and 24-month visits. This is a step many parents don’t realize is separate from general developmental screening — and not cause for alarm. If the screening tool flags a concern, that’s not a diagnosis. It’s simply a prompt to investigate further. 

The Importance of Acting Early

The good news is that identifying a concern early makes a real difference in setting kids up for success. The earlier a delay is identified, the sooner intervention can begin. Early intervention can greatly improve and optimize a child’s development.

If your child’s doctor recommends further evaluation, Wisconsin’s Birth to 3 Program may be able to help. This free, statewide program serves kids under age 3 with developmental delays or disabilities. Services are tailored to each child and family. 

Watching your child grow and learn is one of the greatest joys of parenthood. If you ever have questions or concerns about their development, don’t wait — ask. You know your child best, and your child’s providers are there to help.