Best Development Milestones in Early Childhood: What to Expect 2022

If you’re a parent or caregiver of a young child, you may wonder what physical development milestones to expect in the next few years. Each child progresses at their own pace but knowing what “normal” is can help you identify any potential issues early on.

This blog post will outline the physical development milestones for children in early childhood, from toddlerhood through age 5. You can be better equipped to support your child’s growth and development by understanding what to expect. 

This guide will help you understand what to expect as your child grows and develops physically. Enjoy watching your little one blossom!

So, the question arises to many people what physical development milestones should be expected in early childhood?

As each kid has a different physical growth rate, it is hard to give a specific answer. However, some physical development milestones can be anticipated in early childhood, and this guide will give you an understanding of what to expect as your child grows and develops physically. It is always enjoyable for parents to see their children grow and develop.

Some physical development milestones that can be expected in early childhood include:

• Learning to walk independently
• Starting to run and climb
• Becoming more coordinated in movements
• Developing stronger muscles
• Beginning to use utensils such as forks and spoons
• Exploring new physical activities and movements

Changes in Brain Maturation

During early childhood, physical changes in the brain contribute to kids’ growing ability to think, feel, and move. The prefrontal cortex matures during these years.

This part of the brain helps us control our emotions and impulses, plan ahead, and make decisions.

As the prefrontal cortex develops, kids become better at understanding and using language, controlling their emotions, and solving problems.

During early childhood, children will refine the gross and fine motor skills they began developing in infancy.

Gross Motor Skill

Gross motor skills involve large muscle groups and enable a child to perform tasks such as sitting, standing, walking, and running.

They need to control their bodies and move around their environment. These skills include walking, running, jumping, throwing, using stairs independently and pedaling a tricycle. 

Fine Motor Skill 

Fine motor skills involve smaller muscle groups and enable a child to perform tasks such as picking up small objects, scribbling, and cutting with scissors. They need to complete smaller movements with their hands and fingers. These skills include writing, drawing, and using scissors.

As children’s motor skills develop, they become more coordinated and skilled in their movements. This can be seen in their increased ability to engage in activities such as riding a bike, catching a ball, and using utensils.

There are a few things you can do to support your child’s motor skill development:

• Encourage physical activity through play.
• Provide opportunities for your child to practice fine motor skills through activities such as coloring, puzzles, and block building.
• Talk to your pediatrician if you have concerns about your child’s motor skills development.

Changes in Sleep

During early childhood, your child will gradually start to sleep less. By age 5, most children need only 11-12 hours of sleep daily. However, it’s important to remember that each child is different, and some may still need up to 14 hours of sleep.

Most children will have developed a regular sleep pattern by reaching early childhood. However, it is not uncommon for some changes in sleep during this stage of development.

For example, many children will start to resist bedtime or have trouble falling asleep at night. This is often due to increased physical activity during the day or anxiety about separating from parents at night.

If your child is experiencing difficulty sleeping, there are a few things you can do to help:

• Establish a regular bedtime routine and stick to it as much as possible.
• Limit screen time before bed and ensure the bedroom is dark and quiet.
• Encourage your child to use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or visualization.

Cognitive Development

During early childhood, children’s brains continue to develop at a rapid pace. This can be seen in their increasing ability to think abstractly, understand cause and effect, and solve problems.

Children also begin to develop emergent literacy skills during this stage, which refers to the understanding that print has meaning and can be used to communicate.

This includes skills such as identifying letters, understanding that words are made up of smaller units of sound (phonemes), and associating spoken words with written words.

There are a few things you can do to support your child’s cognitive development:

• Read together every day and talk about the stories you read.
• Encourage your child to ask questions and explore their surroundings.
• Provide opportunities for your child to practice problem-solving through activities such as puzzles, block building, and pretend play.

Language Development 

Language development proceeds rapidly during early childhood, with most kids becoming proficient speakers between ages 3 – 5.

Along with vocabulary expansion, children also understand grammar rules and sentence structure. Parents can help foster language development by frequently talking with their children about everyday events, reading aloud regularly, and answering questions honestly.

Social and Emotional Development

During early childhood, children’s social and emotional development progresses rapidly. They develop a sense of self-identity and become more aware of their emotions.

Children also start building friendships and engaging in cooperative play at this stage. It is not uncommon for children to experience separation anxiety when away from parents or caregivers, but this typically decreases as they become more independent.

There are a few things you can do to support your child’s social and emotional development:

Encourage positive self-talk and praise your child for their accomplishments.

Provide opportunities for your child to practice cooperation through activities such as playing games, doing puzzles, and completing art projects.

Teach your child how to express their emotions in appropriate ways.

At what age should my child be able to walk independently?

Most children learn to walk independently between the ages of 1 and 2.

At what age should my child be able to run?

Most children learn to run around the age of 2. However, some children may not be able to run until they are closer to 3 years old.

At what age should my child be able to throw and catch a ball?

Most children learn to throw and catch a ball between 2 and 3. However, some children may be unable to do this until they are closer to 4 years old.

At what age should my child be able to use stairs independently?

Most children learn to use stairs independently between 2 and 3. However, some children may be unable to do this until they are closer to 4 years old.

At what age should my child be able to pedal a tricycle?

Most children learn to pedal a tricycle between 3 and 4. However, some children may be unable to do this until they are closer to 5 years old.

Nutrition  

Good nutrition is essential for normal physical development in early childhood. A well-balanced diet provides the nutrients needed for proper growth and development and helps to prevent obesity. Ensure that your child gets the nutrients they need, including a variety of healthy foods from all the food groups in their diet.

When is the right time to start toilet training your child?

Most children are ready to start toilet training between 18 months and 3 years. Toilet training is a process, and each child will learn at his or her own pace. There are several signs that your child may be ready to start toilet training, such as:

• Showing interest in the toilet chair
• Able to stay dry for short periods
• Expressing a desire to use the toilet

Following simple instructions:

If your child is showing these signs, you can begin to introduce him or her to the concept of using the toilet. Start by explaining what the bathroom is and how it is used.

You can also let your child sit on the toilet or potty chair with his or her clothes on to get accustomed to the feeling. Once your child seems comfortable, you can begin working on toilet training.

There is no one “right” way to toilet-train a child. Some children will learn quickly, while others may need more time and patience.

The important thing is to be supportive and encouraging throughout the process. If your child becomes frustrated, take a break and try again later. Most children will successfully learn how to use the toilet with time and practice.

My child is having difficulty using the toilet. What should I do?

If your child is having difficulty using the toilet, there are several things you can try to help him or she succeed:

• Use a potty chair or seat that is the right size for your child.
• Place the potty chair or seat in the bathroom so your child can get used to it.
• Help your child understand what the toilet is used for and how it works.
• Encourage your child to sit on the toilet or potty seat with his or her clothes on.
• Once your child seems comfortable, begin working on toilet training.

My child is still having accidents even though we’ve been working on toilet training. What should I do?

It’s normal for children to have accidents when they first learn how to use the toilet. If your child is having accidents, try to remain patient and positive.

Praise your child when he or she uses the bathroom successfully, and avoid scolding or punishing him or her for accidents. With time and practice, most children will eventually master using the toilet.

Why does physical development matter in early childhood?

Physical development is important for young children as it lays the foundation for their future physical well-being. Furthermore, research has shown that physical activity can positively impact cognitive development, academic performance, and mental health. For these reasons, it’s important to encourage physical activity from an early age.

There are many ways to encourage physical activity in early childhood. Some ideas include:

• Taking your child on walks or bike rides
• Playing active games together such as tag or catch
• Visiting the park or playground
• Dancing together
• Taking swimming lessons

Encouraging physical activity from an early age will help your child develop the skills they need for a lifetime of good health.

Benefits of Physical Development

Physical development in early childhood has numerous benefits for children. Some of the benefits include:

• Improved physical health
• Improved cognitive development
• Improved academic performance
• Improved mental health

Conclusion

Physical development milestones vary from child to child, but there are some common benchmarks that parents can expect their children to reach during early childhood.

It is important to remember that each child progresses at their own pace, so if your child does not meet all of the milestones outlined in this blog post, it does not mean that there is something wrong.

However, if you have concerns about your child’s physical development, please consult a healthcare professional.

Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development are all interrelated. As children progress through early childhood, they will continue to develop in these areas. You can do a few things to support your child’s development in each room.

These include providing opportunities for physical activity, encouraging positive self-talk, and teaching your child how to express their emotions. Each child develops at their own pace, so it is important to not compare your child to other children their age.

 Physical development in early childhood is an important part of a child’s overall development. Gross and motor skills develop during this time, allowing children to explore and interact with their environment.

Physical development is an important aspect of early childhood, laying the foundation for future physical well-being.

Good nutrition and physical activity are essential for normal physical development. By understanding the physical development milestones for early childhood, you can be better equipped to support your child’s growth and development.