Supporting Early Learning & Well-being: Developmental Milestone Printables

Developmental milestones are behaviors and skills that emerge in young children over time and at different ages. Milestones are often described as the things that most children can do by a certain age. Examples of early milestones include smiling, waving “bye-bye,” pointing, and speaking in two-word sentences. Developmental milestones include social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development skills.

Developmental Milestone Checklists

In 2022 the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to revise the developmental milestone checklists that had been established in 2004 to help parents identify potential developmental delays at an early age. There are twelve revised checklists, one for every recommended well-child visit between the ages of 2 months and 5 years. The new checklists include additional social-emotional milestones, incorporate family-friendly language, and encourage open and ongoing dialogue about development between parents and pediatricians.

Checklists as a Tool for Early Childhood Care and Learning Providers

Good2Know Network recently created a set of 2-page printable flyers (listed below) designed for ECE providers to use. There are 12 flyers, one for each of the ages between 2 months and 5 years at which the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a well-child visit and development screening. The flyers contain the revised milestones developed by the AAP and CDC, which describe what most (75%) of children can do at each age, as well as a list of fun, easy, playful activities that providers and parents can enjoy with children to encourage and reinforce development. On the back of each printable is a list of questions and topics that parents are encouraged to discuss with their pediatrician at well-child visits, including questions about developmental screening.

How Providers can use the Printable Checklists to Support Children’s Healthy Development

Good2Know Network created the developmental milestone printables with the hope that they will become a useful tool for ECE providers in the vitally important work they do to nurture and support healthy learning and development. For example, the printable flyers can be used as:

• a reminder to celebrate children at every age by frequently sharing stories with parents about what their child is doing and the activities their child is enjoying
• a source of age-appropriate playful learning ideas for ECE providers and for families with children aged 0-5
• a resource to share with parents who have concerns about their child’s development
• a handout that ECE providers can share during meetings with parents
• a reminder to parents that developmental screenings are recommended for every child, ideally at each well-child visit, and at least three times before the age of 5
• a visually appealing flyer to offer to parents, post in the classroom or make available at sign-in/out locations.