Children are constantly learning, right from birth. The early years of your child's life are the foundation for growth and development. What your child learns during the first five years depends on the experiences they have each and every day and will set the standards for the rest of their learning career. As caregivers, this is the greatest challenge, yet the best opportunity.

Children learn in a variety of ways and styles. To achieve developmental milestones, the parents or primary caregiver must help initiate learning and be on the lookout for these milestones. The relationship between a caregiver or parent and child needs to be positive and meaningful. Throughout the early years, your child will change and grow tremendously.

Click on the age of your child to get more information on the stages of your child's development.

Developmental Domains

Social and Emotional

Social and emotional development refers to the way children regulate their own emotions, identify feelings, and form positive bonds and relationships with others. Research shows that social emotional learning is a stronger predictor of school success than any other developmental area. Providing social and emotional activities for your child helps him/her deal with their emotions, learn cooperation and create successful relationships.

Language and Literacy

Refers to the way children communicate with others, and engage with print materials.

• Point to and Identify new objects
• Draw, listen and sing together
• Read to your baby

All of these promote communication skills that lead to reading and writing. Providing language and literacy activities in meaningful ways promotes growth in this area.

• Expressive language: refers to the way your child uses words or gestures to communicate with others. Does your baby smile, "coo", and name objects? Correctly reading a baby's cues creates bonding between child and caregiver, and sets the stage for communication throughout life.
• Receptive Language: how your child receives and reacts to information: Talk with your child as you change his/her diaper, read stories together, sing a song, ask questions
• Reading: It is never too early to start reading to your child. For babies, reading is often about exploring and chewing books. This is age-appropriate. Children may not sit for an entire book all the time, even after they are 3 or 4. Make sure to use animated facial expressions and exaggerated voices when you read to your child. Feel free to not stick to the words on the page. Make reading a conversation. Ask open-ended questions when you read together.
• Writing: expressions in words. Scribbling is the first step to learning to write. Encourage your child's attempts at writing and drawing. Ask questions about what they have made and write it on the paper.

Easy ways to incorporate language and literacy into everday activities: Read books and point to the words; let your child watch you write shopping lists; point out letters in the cereal boxes; talk through your daily activities by describing what you are doing to your child.

Cognitive Thinking

Cognitive development refers to thinking skills that children use to explore their world. Expensive toys and gadgets are not necessary. Everything you need to stimulate a child's thinking skills is available in ordinary objects: boxes, pots and pans, books, "low-tech" toys (e.g., blocks, rattles), and most importantly, interactions with YOU.

• Early math skills: Reading and writing aren't the only skills related to cognitive development. Math skills are also extremely important for school readiness and success in life.

Physical Well-being & Health

Physical development in young children refers to the small motor (fine motor) and large motor (gross motor) skills, self-care skills and health and well-being.

• Fine motor skills: involve the muscles of the hand. As these muscles strengthen children are able to hold a pencil, button their own clothing and tie their shoes. Providing fine motor activities for children prepares them for writing.
• Gross motor development: refers to using the large muscle groups and helps develop physical coordination skills. Involves activities like running, jumping, hopping, climbing, and skipping.
• Self-care skills: refer to the ways children perform basic activities such as teeth-brushing, feeding themselves, and getting dressed. Involve your child in caring for themselves (e.g., encourage use of spoon and fork) and others (e.g., feeding the family dog, helping to set the table). These skills promote responsibility, self-esteem, and a sense of community.

Approaches to Learning

Approaches to learning refer to the ways children are motivated and engaged in learning activities. Do they ask questions, are they persistent in finding the answers, can they solve problems with assistance? All these qualities prepare children to be successful in their journey through education. Supporting their love of learning is an important part of being a responsive parent.