Lesson 2.2: Developmental Milestones

Part 1 Lesson Summary

This lesson introduces the developmental expectations and milestones for children from birth to five years of age. Participants have an opportunity to reflect and discuss the importance of understanding developmental milestones and expected development.

Learning Objectives

Participants will identify developmental milestones across at least three domains (physical, language, social‑emotional) and connect them to everyday routines and interactions at home.
Participants will describe how daily activities such as meals, play, chores, and conversations—naturally support children’s growth and learning.
Participants will identify when and how to seek additional support if developmental concerns arise, emphasizing partnership with educators and health providers rather than deficit framing.

BEFORE: Engage in Learning

Watch the video below, which focuses on the sensorimotor stage, the first two years, when children go through a dramatic period of growth and learning.

Sensorimotor Stage: Birth to 2 years old

Parents can make a big difference, especially during the early years of life. This stage describes the developmental changes from birth to 2 years, where a child’s entire experience occurs through basic reflexes, senses, and motor responses.
Watch this video that breaks down the sensorimotor stage into six substages.

DURING: Explore new concepts

There are developmental milestones during this early and rapid period of growth that children reach in other areas of development. In addition to cognitive development, children reach milestones in their social and emotional learning, language and communication, and movement or physical development.

Refer to the Centers for Disease Control or Prevention (CDC) Developmental Milestones handout below as you watch the video below to learn more about developmental milestones. These checklists from CDC provide guidance on what children are able to do by a certain age, but a child’s age does not determine stage. The milestones approximate when certain actions should take place.

CDC Developmental Milestones.pdf

Watch the video below to learn more about developmental milestones.

AFTER: Extend your learning

Take a close look at the milestones in each box in the table below. You will see milestones such as babbles, crawls on belly, etc. Can you identify where each of these milestones belong on the timeline below? Use your CDC milestones handout to help you identify where they belong on the timeline.

Activity Child-Development-Milestones.pdf

Exit Ticket: Final Reflection

As you listen to the song Magnolia Tree, answer the following questions:

Write three areas of development in which children reach milestones.
Why is it important for parents to understand developmental milestones?

Share your reflection with the other participants in your local program.

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