This presentation covers basic developmental domains and milestones of young children.

1. By Shaista Vayani
Child Development
Understanding and supporting Children’s Growth

2. What is Child Development?

3. Child Development includes
• Physical, emotional, cognitive, and social changes
• Each child is unique but follows general patterns
• Early years are critical for forming healthy
habits and strong brains
• Parents and caregivers play a vital role as first
teachers
• Development is a journey, not a race

4. • Early experiences shape learning, health, and behavior
• Strong foundation builds curiosity & emotional control
• Knowledge of development reduces misunderstandings
• Early support improves outcomes & empowers
caregivers to create loving and stimulating environments
Why is it important?

5. What are
Developmental Domain
Short video on Play: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHO_L-7Rx1c

6. There are five developmental domains:
Physical, Cognitive, Language, Social and Emotional.
• All domains are connected and support each other.
• Activities should support all areas together.
• Observing domains helps track progress.
Developmental Domains

7. Physical Development
• Focuses on body growth and movement skills
• Involves gross motor skills like running and jumping
• Includes fine motor skills such as writing and cutting
• Improves strength, balance, and coordination
• Supports independence in daily tasks
• Affected by good nutrition, exercise, and health

8. Cognitive Development
•Involves thinking, learning, and problem-solving
•Helps develop memory, attention, and reasoning (video)
•Supports understanding of numbers, shapes, and time
•Encourages curiosity and exploration
•Builds foundation for school learning
•Strengthened by play and interaction with others

9. Language Development
•Involves speaking, listening, reading, and writing
•Builds vocabulary and communication skills
•Helps express thoughts and feelings clearly
•Supports social interaction and friendships
•Encouraged by storytelling and conversations
•Important for success in school and life

10. Social Development
•Focuses on relationships with others
•Involves sharing, cooperating, and taking turns
•Builds friendships and social confidence
•Teaches understanding of rules and fairness
•Supports teamwork and group activities
•Encouraged through play and family support

11. What is the Importance of
Play in Child Development?

12. Emotional Development
•Involves understanding and expressing emotions (video)
•Helps build self-confidence and self-control
•Supports coping with different feelings
•Teaches empathy and caring for others
•Strengthened by a safe, loving environment
•Important for overall mental well-being

13. Brain Development
The brain grows rapidly (90% by age 5)
Positive experiences build strong connections.
Responsive care, play, and nutrition are key.
Stressful environments can harm development. (video)
Play builds brain architecture and strengthens bonds.

14. Growth & Development
Growth is physical maturation resulting in increase
in the size of body parts and organ. It is a quantitative
change and stops after a certain age.

15. Factors effecting Growth & Development
• Heredity
• Nutrition
• Caregiver’s Attitude
• Stimulating Environment

16. Let’s watch a video
TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=aISXCw0Pi94&t=311s

17. Milestones are skills most children achieve by certain ages
Milestones guide us but allow individual differences
Delays do not always mean problems
Tracking milestones helps parents and teachers
spot possible delays early on
Developmental Milestones

18. Achieving Milestones
• Sitting without support by 6–8 months, walking
around 12–15 months
• Saying first words around 12 months, simple
sentences by 2–3 years
• Playing with other children and sharing toys around
3–4 years
• Learning to dress themselves, follow simple
instructions, and understand feelings (video)

19. 0–3 Months
•Lifts head briefly while on tummy
•Follows faces and objects with eyes
•Smiles at people (social smile)
•Makes cooing sounds and gurgles
•Opens & closes hands, brings hands
to mouth
•Recognizes caregiver’s voice and scent
•Turns head toward sounds
3–6 Months
•Rolls from tummy to back, then back
to tummy
•Reaches for and grasps objects
•Pushes up on arms during tummy time
•Recognizes familiar faces and responds
with excitement. Laughs and squeals
with joy
•Begins babbling (“ba,” “da”)
•Shows interest in surroundings

20. 6–9 Months
•Sits without support
•Transfers objects between hands
•Starts crawling or scooting
•Responds to own name
•Understands “no” and simple words
•Imitates sounds and facial expressions
•Enjoys games like peekaboo
9–12 Months
•Pulls up to stand, may start cruising along
furniture
•Picks up small items using thumb and finger
(pincer grasp) and explores environment
eagerly
•Waves goodbye and claps hands
•Says simple words like “mama” or “dada”
•Understands simple instructions(come here
•Shows strong attachment to caregivers

21. 1 to 2 Years
•Starts walking alone and may begin running
•Points to objects and pictures when named
•Says several single words and simple phrases
•Follows simple instructions (give me the ball)
•Shows interest in pretend play (feeding doll)
•Begins scribbling with crayons
•Shows growing independence & tantrums
2 to 3 Years
•Climbs on furniture and stairs by self
•Uses two- to three-word sentences
•Begins sorting shapes and colors
•Plays simple make-believe games
•Shows wide range of emotions
•Can dress and undress with help
•Follows two-step instructions (“pick up
toy and put it away”)

22. 3 to 4 Years
•Rides tricycle or balances on one
foot
•Speaks in longer sentences and
tells simple stories
•Understands concepts like “same”
and “different”
•Plays cooperatively with other
children
•Draws simple shapes and people with
few parts
•Knows own name, age, and gender
•Shows affection and concern for friends

23. 4–6 Years
•Hops, skips, and may start riding a
bicycle
•Uses full sentences, tells long stories
clearly
•Begins to read simple books and
write some words
•Understands basic time concepts
(“yesterday,” “tomorrow”)
•Knows own address and basic
personal information
•Draws more detailed people and shapes
•Plays cooperatively, understands turn-
taking and rules
•Shows strong emotions, starts controlling
impulses
•Enjoys group games and imaginative play
•Begins helping with simple chores at
home

24. 6–8 Years
•Reads more fluently and enjoys
chapter books
•Solves more complex math
(addition, subtraction, simple
multiplication)
•Writes full sentences and short
paragraphs
•Develops close friendships and
values teamwork
•Shows stronger sense of empathy
• Can follow multi-step instructions
independently
• Enjoys hobbies, sports, and creative
activities
• Understands more abstract ideas
(time, money, cause and effect)
• Becomes more responsible with tasks
and belongings
• Expresses feelings and thoughts clearly
with others

25. Tracking and Supporting Development
• Observe children in daily routines.
• Use charts and checklists to track progress
• Talk, read, and sing to encourage growth
• Provide age-appropriate activities
• Celebrate achievements and seek help if worried

26. 9
Create safe spaces for active play
and exploration.
4
3
Talk, read, and sing to build
language and thinking skills.
Supporting Development
Be patient and avoid comparing
children with each other.
5
Provide age-appropriate toys and
activities to encourage growth.
Regular discussions with teachers
and health workers can help.
Seek professional help if worried
about delays.
2
1
Watch children closely in daily
routines to understand their
abilities.
Celebrate progress rather than focusing only on gaps.
6
8
7
Use milestone charts from health
organizations or local clinics.

27. Early years are
especially important
for forming healthy
habits and strong
brains.
A supportive
environment shapes a
child’s future skills and
confidence.
Remember: Child
Development is not a
race but a journey.
Key Takeaways
Child development
describes the physical,
emotional, social, and
cognitive changes from
birth to adulthood.
Understanding
development helps us
support children’s
needs better.
Parents and caregivers
play a crucial role as
first teachers.
Each child is unique,
but there are common
patterns and
milestones.

28. Thank You for your time
and dedication!
Let’s support children to grow
& shine together…

29. References & Sources:
•Berk, L. E. (2022). Child development (10th ed.). Pearson.
•Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024).
Child development: Milestones and information.
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/index.html
•Harvard University Center on the Developing Child. (n.d.).
Brain architecture.
https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/brain-architecture/
•National Association for the Education of Young Children. (n.d.).
Developmentally appropriate practice. https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/dap
•UNICEF. (2024).
Early childhood development. https://www.unicef.org/early-childhood-development
•World Health Organization. (2024).
Early child development. https://www.who.int/health-topics/early-child-development