Milestones

Whilst each child develops at their own pace, a number of typical age-related milestones have been identified. Considerable variation around when these milestones are reached is normal. For example, a child will usually start taking their first steps at around 12 to 13 months. The milestone is, therefore, set at around 12 months, but some children don’t walk until 18 months. This represents normal variation. However, a child not walking by 2 years old would need to be followed up.

Different validated screening tools, based on child development theories, have been produced to support developmental assessment and help highlight when a child is not reaching the expected milestones.

Whilst it can just represent normal variation if a specific child does not meet an expected milestone, professionals from education, social care and health need to be able to identify a child who is starting to miss milestones or having problems, in order to support that child and their family.