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What are milestones?
Why are milestones important?
Learn the signs and the next steps!
| We often talk about child growth and development as if they are one and the same. Interestingly, however, they are two totally different things! Growth only refers to the child getting bigger in size, whereas child development refers to how a child is able to do more complex things as they get older. | |
When we talk about normal development, we are talking about developing skills like: | |
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Gross motor skills: using large groups of muscles to sit, stand, walk, run, keeping balance and changing positions, etc.
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Fine motor skills: using hands to be able to eat, draw, dress, play, write, and many other things
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Language skills: speaking, using body language and gestures, communicating, and understanding what others say
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Cognitive skills: thinking skills including learning, understanding, problem-solving, reasoning, and remembering
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Social skills: interacting with others, having relationships with family, friends, and teachers, cooperating and responding to the feelings of others.
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ZERO to THREE
Revised Developmental Milestones for Babies and Toddlers: Your Questions Answered
There are lots of tips and tools to help you understand developmental milestones. Trackers and checklists aren’t JUST for parents. Caregivers can use them too! They can help you individualize learning so each child’s needs are met.
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What to do when delays are suspected | |
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Kentucky First Steps is a statewide early intervention system that provides services to children with developmental disabilities, or a particular medical condition that is known to cause a developmental delay, from birth to age 3 and their families. First Steps offers comprehensive services through a network of early intervention providers and service disciplines and is administered by the Department for Public Health in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Screening young children is an effective, efficient way for professionals to check a child’s development, help parents celebrate their child’s milestones and know what to look for next, and determine whether follow-up steps are needed. It is also an essential first step toward identifying children with delays or disorders in the critical early years, before they start school.
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Children over the age of 3 who may have delays should be referred to the school system in the county which the child resides.
Public schools have a big responsibility. They must identify, locate, and evaluate any kids who need special education. This is called Child Find. Looking for and finding these kids is an important first step toward getting them the help they need to thrive in school.
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When a school knows or thinks a child could have a disability, they will evaluate the child.
Child Find applies to kids from birth to age 21. It can cover kids with learning and thinking differences, developmental delays, and other conditions.
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If You Have Concerns About a Child, Contact First Steps:
Birth to 3 Years - 502-564-2154
Ages 3 Years to 21 Years - 1-800-688-0340
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Milestone Training
Watch Me! Celebrating Milestones and Sharing Concerns is a FREE 1-hour ECE TRIS credit training that explains what milestones are and how to track them.
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Learn the Signs. Act Early.
“Learn the Signs. Act Early.” is a program created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Their website has incredible resources that can be used by families and child care providers.
They have designed an interactive app that can be downloaded to your cell phone. This app allows parents to track their children’s development, and it also makes it convenient for caregivers to track milestones for multiple children. You will also find handy checklists that are specific to each age group. These offer suggestions for activities that can strengthen different areas of development.
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The CDC's Milestone Tracker Demonstration | |
Milestones Matter for Families | |
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A great app for families is the Vroom App which demonstrates how to add learning to everyday activities.
Available for download on IOS and Android
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Kaity’s Vroom Testimonial:
"As a busy mom the Vroom App gives me the power to use everyday activities as learning and brain building moments! I love the option to browse tips by settings, we have used many of the bath time and on the go suggestions. This app has created really sweet bonding moments with my daughter all while she is growing and learning! I am excited to continue my journey with Vroom to receive fresh age-appropriate content!"
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April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Show your support online with the #ThrivingFamilies hashtag.
"Whether by proclamation, through social media, with graphics, or through other means, spreading the word about child abuse prevention lets your community know they can take action to strengthen families and help them thrive." -childwelfare.gov
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The Week of the Young Child® is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world's largest early childhood education association. The purpose of the Week of the Young Child® is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. | | |
Kentucky News You Can Use
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Zoning is an obstacle that many potential family child care homes face when trying to open. Family Child Care partners in Louisville celebrated a huge win Thursday March 17th. | | | |
A publication of the WKU Family Child Care Network | | | | |
