Learning Objective
Identify key physical and motor developmental milestones from birth through 5 years and recognize normal variations in developmental progression.
Milestones
Milestones are skills typically achieved by a specific age, representing median normative expectations.
- Children may progress faster or slower across different domains.
- A child may be advanced in motor skills yet delayed in social or language domains.
- Milestones do not need to occur simultaneously across domains.
Social Milestones: High-Yield Notes
Stranger Anxiety
- Definition: Distress in the presence of unfamiliar people
- Peak: 8 months
- Duration: Can persist for up to 1 year
Separation Anxiety
- Definition: Distress when separated from the primary caregiver
- Onset: 8 months
- Duration: Can last for up to 2 years
Child Development Milestones – Physical & Motor
| Age | Physical and Motor Milestones |
|---|---|
| First Year of Life | • Puts everything in the mouth • Follows objects to midline (4 wk) • Sits with support (4 mo) • Feet in mouth (5 mo) • One-hand approach/grasp of toy • Bang-and-rattle stage • Transfers toy hand-to-hand (6 mo) • Stands with help (8 mo) • Crawls; fear of falling (9 mo) • Pincer grasp (10 mo) |
| Age 1 (12–18 months) | • Walks alone (13 mo) • Climbs stairs alone (18 mo) • Emergence of hand preference (18 mo) • Kicks a ball, throws a ball • Pat’s pictures in a book • Stacks 3 cubes (18 mo) |
| Age 2 | • High activity level • Walks backward • Turns doorknob; unscrews jar lid • Scribbles with crayon • Stacks 6 cubes (24 mo) • Stands on tiptoes (30 mo) • Aims thrown ball |
| Age 3 | • Rides tricycle (3 yrs = 3 wheels) • Stacks 9 cubes (36 mo) • Alternates feet going up stairs • Bowel/bladder control (toilet training) • Draws recognizable figures • Catches the ball with arms • Cuts paper with scissors • Unbuttons buttons |
| Age 4 | • Alternates feet going down stairs • Hops on one foot • Grooms self (brushes teeth) • Counts fingers on hand |
| Age 5 | • Complete sphincter control • Brain at 75% adult weight • Draws a person with head, body, and limbs • Dresses and undresses self • Catches the ball with two hands |
Social/Emotional Milestones (High-Yield)
| Milestone | Age Details |
|---|---|
| Stranger Anxiety | Peaks 8 months, lasts for 1 year |
| Separation Anxiety | Onset at 8 months, lasts until 2 years |
