5 Things Every Parent Should Know About Developmental Milestones

Watching your child grow is one of life’s greatest joys — and also one of its biggest questions: Is everything on track? From first smiles to first steps, children reach important stages of development at different times. These are called developmental milestones, and understanding them can help you feel more confident and informed as your child grows.

Here’s what every parent should know — and how to find the right support when you need it.

1. What are developmental milestones?

Developmental milestones are the skills most children can do by a certain age — things like babbling, waving “bye-bye,” walking, or playing pretend. These milestones fall into key areas of development:

• Physical (motor) skills – crawling, walking, holding a crayon

• Language and communication – babbling, using words, following directions

• Cognitive skills – exploring toys, problem-solving

• Social and emotional growth – showing affection, taking turns, expressing feelings

Milestones help us understand a child’s development across all of these areas — not just the physical ones.

2. Milestones are guidelines, not deadlines

Some babies take their first steps at 9 months. Others wait until 15 months — both are completely normal. That’s because every child develops at their own pace. Milestones aren’t checklists you have to race through — they’re guidelines, not deadlines.

The most important thing to look for is overall growth over time, not whether your child hits a skill on a specific date. Comparing your child to others can create unnecessary stress. Instead, focus on your child’s unique journey — and don’t be afraid to ask questions along the way.

3. Milestones help you know when to ask for support

While there's a wide range of what’s considered “normal,” milestones also help flag when something might need a closer look. For example, if your toddler isn’t using any words by 18 months, or doesn’t respond to their name, those could be early signs to bring up with your pediatrician or caregiver.

It’s not about panic — it’s about partnership. The earlier you talk to someone, the sooner your child can get any support they might need. Many children who need a little help early on go on to thrive with the right tools and attention.

4. What’s the difference between monitoring and screening?

Developmental monitoring is what you do every day — noticing new behaviors, skills, and changes in your child. Caregivers, teachers, grandparents, and pediatricians all help with this. During well-child visits, your doctor might ask questions like:

• “Is your child pointing to things?”

• “How many words is your child using?”

• “Can they climb up on furniture?”
  

Developmental screening is more formal. It’s usually a brief questionnaire or checklist based on research. Screenings happen at specific ages — typically 9, 18, and 30 months — and are designed to flag any concerns early on, even if you haven’t noticed anything specific.

You can ask for a screening at any time if you’re concerned. And if your doctor hasn’t done one recently, it’s okay to bring it up.

5. There’s a free app that makes it easy to track

One of the easiest ways to stay on top of milestones is the CDC Milestone Tracker app — a free, trusted tool created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It helps you:

• Track key milestones from 2 months to 5 years

• See videos of what to look for

• Get tips and reminders

• Share progress with your doctor or child care provider

  
  

It’s available in English and Spanish, and it’s parent-friendly, not overwhelming. Download CDC’s Milestone Tracker app from the App Store or Google Play today!

Final Thoughts

Understanding developmental milestones can help you feel more confident — not more worried — as your child grows. It’s okay if things don’t happen exactly when you expect. What matters most is knowing what to look for, when to ask questions, and where to find support if needed

If you're curious about what milestones to expect at each age — or want to explore the CDC's official checklists, videos, and tracking tools — you can also visit: CDC Developmental Milestones Website

At Edutainment Zone, we’re here to partner with you through every stage of your child’s growth — and to help make learning joyful, playful, and informed