Understanding Child Development Milestones

Level: Intermediate

A milestone is a skill that most children learn at around the same age, like smiling, sitting up, walking or saying their first words. Doctors and health visitors use milestones to check that a child is developing well.

As a nanny, you often spend more time with a child during the day than anyone else. This means you may be the first person to notice a new skill, or to notice that something seems different. Knowing the milestones helps you support the child's learning and share useful information with the parents.

Important things to remember

Every child is different. Milestones happen within a range of ages. One baby walks at 9 months, another at 16 months, and both are completely normal. The ages in these articles are only a guide.

Babies born early (premature) are usually measured by their "corrected age". For example, a baby born two months early who is now 6 months old may be closer to a 4-month-old in their development.

You are not a doctor. Your job is never to diagnose a problem. Your job is to notice, support and share. If you are worried, talk to the parents calmly and privately. The parents can then speak to their health visitor or GP / doctor.

Losing skills is always important. If a child stops doing something they could do before, like talking, walking or making eye contact, tell the parents soon.

How to talk to parents about a worry

Choose a calm moment, not the busy minute when they walk through the door. Talk about what you have seen, not what you think it means.

"Can I mention something I've noticed? He doesn't seem to turn around when I call his name. Have you noticed that at home?"

"She's not babbling as much as she was last month. It might be nothing, but I thought you'd like to know."

The six parts of this series

Understanding Milestones (this article)

Birth to 6 Months

6 to 12 Months

1 to 2 Years

2 to 3 Years

3 to 5 Years

Next in the series: Child Development Milestones: Birth to 6 Months →