Introduce
Developmental milestones serve as indicators of a child’s progress and provide a roadmap for understanding how they are growing and adapting. These milestones are not rigid benchmarks but rather typical patterns of development that help caregivers, healthcare professionals and practitioners identify whether a child is on track or may benefit from additional support. Each child’s level of development can vary depending on many different factors. We’ve looked at many developments that occur prenatally but this rate of change continues across the first 1001 days.
Develop
Key Aspects of Development in the First 1001 Days
- Physical growth: From prenatal formation to learning to crawl, walk, and run, a child’s physical abilities evolve in response to both biological maturation and experiences.
- Cognitive skills: The brain’s capacity to process, learn, and remember begins developing before birth, as evidenced by early problem-solving and the ability to recognise patterns and faces.
- Social-emotional development: Trust, attachment, and the ability to form relationships start with early bonding and extend into emotional regulation and social play.
- Communication and language: From crying and cooing to babbling and speaking, communication develops as children learn to express needs, imitate sounds, and understand words.
The ASQ (Ages and Stages Questionnaire) is the primary universal tool used to measure child development in Manchester. You can find a range of resources related to ASQ screening tools and resources here: Home – Ages and Stages
Reflect
Stop and Reflect: Use the following questions to reflect further on developmental milestones:
– What strategies do you use to observe or assess developmental milestones?
– How could you work with parents to support a child’s developmental needs and celebrate milestones together?
– What resources or interventions help families if a child shows signs of developmental delay?
Optional
The following guidance has been developed for parents to help them develop an understanding about what they can expect when and how they can support their baby and child to thrive.