As parents we often remember our child’s first smile, first steps and first words. These early developments are joyful assurances that our child is growing. The first year of life comes with so much to celebrate, but it’s equally important to recognize all the other ways your child develops afterward. At every age and stage, it’s important to pause and reflect on the year. What are the big and small ways your child changed? Maybe they made a new friend or conquered an old fear (or finally slept in later than 6 AM). Making note of their development will help you create lasting memories and appreciate how far your little one has come.
To help keep track of the ways your child is learning, playing, communicating and moving, you can reference the CDC’s milestones by age chart. Categories of development to watch for and celebrate include:
- Cognitive skills like thinking, reasoning, problem-solving and communicating. Notice how your child’s memory has improved, how the kinds of questions they ask have changed and how interested they are in your answers.
- Motor skills including large motor skills like jumping and throwing and fine motor skills like drawing and stacking. Maybe your child only built block towers before and now they’re building houses for their stuffies.
- Social skills like seeking out friends or engaging in group play. Toddlers who dug holes alone in the sandbox begin to reach out to others to collaborate and build a sandcastle.
- Adaptive skills, which include self-help abilities like dressing, eating and washing. Potty training is not the only self-help skill to celebrate. The transition to a big kid cup or cutting food with a knife are major milestones that boost a child’s self-esteem.
It’s also important to remember that while child development tends to follow a predictable path, individual children develop at their own unique pace. Don't be alarmed if your child follows a slightly different schedule than the milestones mentioned here. Some children may skip over milestones, while others take more time. If you do have concerns, consult your child’s pediatrician to help you assess if your child is experiencing delays and if so, how to address them. And remember, children who may exhibit delays are also changing in ways that deserve celebration, just on their own timeline!
Ways to Celebrate Development
After the first year, it’s easy to forget to celebrate milestones big or small. Life happens so quickly and you’re juggling many different demands. Take a few moments at the end of another busy day to relax and reflect. Then use these methods to help keep track of everything your little one accomplishes.
Keep a memory journal. Make note of big and small developments. Include photos to visually catalog these memories. Creating a log of these moments that you can look back on will highlight changes and allow you and your child to reflect on their growth. Try using apps like Bright Stages, Huckleberry or Kinedu to track your child’s progress quickly and easily. If you enjoy journaling, there are options like Mom's One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book or Kept’s Childhood, A History for capturing moments from birth to age 18!
- Say it out loud. “You did it!” When you notice growth, mention it. Positive reinforcement and verbal encouragement let’s children know you’re aware of their effort and success. No need to offer a reward; the intrinsic joy is treat enough.
- Alert the media. Kidding, but consider sharing the news with family and close friends! You’ll strengthen those relationships and create memories for them as well. Call, send a video or quick text to bookmark your child’s progress.
- A picture a day. Take a photo of your child every day. Then create a video compilation of the daily photos to physically see how much they’ve changed. There are apps that do this seamlessly like 1 Second Everyday Video Diary. Just make sure you keep tissues nearby!
Every stage of childhood is filled with growth worth celebrating. By taking time to notice and honor these moments, big or small, you’re creating cherished memories and reinforcing your child’s sense of confidence and accomplishment. Development isn’t a race; it’s a journey unique to every child. So, pause, reflect and celebrate the progress along the way. Years from now, these milestones will be the stories you treasure most.
