Child Development & Milestones

Child Development & Milestones: Birth to 6 Years

A practical, research-grounded guide created to help early childhood providers better understand, observe, and support children’s development from birth through age six. This comprehensive resource walks through developmental stages from infancy to kindergarten age, with helpful information on communication, social-emotional development, thinking and learning, physical development, self-help skills, and more.

Inside, providers will find age-by-age developmental guidance, observation and documentation strategies, intentional teaching ideas, family partnership information, kindergarten readiness support, developmental charts, quick-reference tools, and trusted resources.

Designed to be used during everyday play and routines, this guide helps providers observe, understand, support, and celebrate every child while recognizing that children grow and develop at their own individual pace.

This resource is intended to support developmental observation and planning and does not replace developmental screening, evaluation, diagnosis, or medical advice.