Child Development Guide
Every child develops at their own pace, but it helps to know what to look for. Our age-by-age guides cover physical, cognitive, language, and social-emotional milestones from birth to school, with practical tips for how you can help at home.
- 0-6 months View milestones
Newborn & Early Infant
First smiles, head control, cooing, and the magic of bonding with your baby. - 6-12 months View milestones
Older Baby
Sitting, crawling, first words, and discovering the world through play. - 1-2 years View milestones
Young Toddler
First steps, growing vocabulary, and the start of fierce independence. - 2-3 years View milestones
Older Toddler
Language explosion, pretend play, big emotions, and "I do it myself!" - 3-4 years View milestones
Preschooler
Creative play, friendships, endless questions, and growing self-regulation. - 4-5 years View milestones
Pre-Kindy
Complex thinking, storytelling, early literacy, and preparing for big school. - 5-6 years View milestones
School Readiness
Independence, social confidence, and the skills that set your child up for school.
About These Guides
Our development guides are based on milestones from the Raising Children Network Australia, CDC developmental milestones, and the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). They're written to give you a general picture, not a checklist to worry about.
Children develop at different rates, and there's a wide range of normal. If you have any concerns about your child's development, the best first step is to talk to your GP, child health nurse, or paediatrician. Early support makes a real difference.