Foundation for Better Childhood Development

Stages of Development

Parent holding an infant's footThe early years of a child's life are crucial for cognitive, social and emotional development. Therefore, it is important that we take every step necessary to ensure that children grow up in environments where their social, emotional and educational needs are met.

Cost to society of less than optimal development are enormous and far-reaching. Children who grow up in environments where their developmental needs are not met are at an increased risk for compromised health and safety, and learning and developmental delays. Failure to invest time and resources during children’s early years may have long term effects on the foster care, health care, and education systems. Therefore, it is in the public's interest to ensure that children develop in safe, loving, and secure environments.

Resource Information from: Centers for Disease Control and Preventions

Milestone: End of Three Months

  • Tuesday, 09 February 2010 00:00
  • Written by Centers for Disease Control

Babies develop at their own pace, so it's impossible to tell exactly when your child will learn a given skill. The developmental milestones listed below will give you a general idea of the changes you can expect, but don't be alarmed if your own baby's development takes a slightly different course.

Social and Emotional

  • Begins to develop a social smile
  • Enjoys playing with other people and may cry when playing stops
  • Becomes more expressive and communicates more with face and body
  • Imitates some movements and facial expressions

Read more: Milestone: End of Three Months

Milestone: End of Seven Months

  • Tuesday, 09 February 2010 00:00
  • Written by Centers for Disease Control

Babies develop at their own pace, so it's impossible to tell exactly when your child will learn a given skill. The developmental milestones listed below will give you a general idea of the changes you can expect, but don't be alarmed if your own baby's development takes a slightly different course.

Social and Emotional

  • Enjoys social play
  • Interested in mirror images
  • Responds to other people's expressions of emotion and appears joyful often

Read more: Milestone: End of Seven Months

Milestone: End of One Year

  • Tuesday, 09 February 2010 00:00
  • Written by Centers for Disease Control

Babies develop at their own pace, so it's impossible to tell exactly when your child will learn a given skill. The developmental milestones listed below will give you a general idea of the changes you can expect, but don't be alarmed if your own baby's development takes a slightly different course.

Social and Emotional

  • Shy or anxious with strangers
  • Cries when mother or father leaves
  • Enjoys imitating people in his play
  • Shows specific preferences for certain people and toys
  • Tests parental responses to his actions during feedings
  • Tests parental responses to his behavior
  • May be fearful in some situations
  • Prefers mother and/or regular caregiver over all others
  • Repeats sounds or gestures for attention
  • Finger-feeds himself
  • Extends arm or leg to help when being dressed

Read more: Milestone: End of One Year

Milestone: End of Two Years

  • Tuesday, 09 February 2010 00:00
  • Written by Centers for Disease Control

Children develop at their own pace, so it's impossible to tell exactly when yours will learn a given skill. The developmental milestones below will give you a general idea of the changes you can expect as your child gets older, but don't be alarmed if your child takes a slightly different course.

Social and Emotional

  • Imitates behavior of others, especially adults and older children
  • More aware of herself as separate from others
  • More excited about company of other children

Read more: Milestone: End of Two Years

Milestone: End of Three Years

  • Tuesday, 09 February 2010 00:00
  • Written by Centers for Disease Control

Children develop at their own pace, so it's impossible to tell exactly when yours will learn a given skill. The developmental milestones below will give you a general idea of the changes you can expect as your child gets older, but don't be alarmed if your child takes a slightly different course.

Social and Emotional

  • Imitates adults and playmates
  • Spontaneously shows affection for familiar playmates
  • Can take turns in games
  • Understands concept of "mine" and "his/hers"

Read more: Milestone: End of Three Years

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