The years during early childhood are very important for a person’s development. Skills learned in these years will provide a framework for healthy emotional, cognitive, and physical abilities as your child matures.
It can be exciting when your child develops skills such as crawling or saying their first word, but you may be concerned your child isn’t reaching these milestones at an appropriate age. Learn more about ages children typically reach milestones and what to do if you think your child is falling behind.
This is not meant to be comprehensive but presents some of the most common behaviors of concern in young children. It is designed to assist parents in understanding some of the markers for normal behavior and when to be concerned.
The reason children sometimes use such challenging behaviors is because it works. By understanding what your child is trying to express, you can better respond to his or her needs and help your child learn more positive ways to communicate.
From the moment they are born, babies are social, emotional beings. Every coo and cry is an attempt to express needs and feelings and communicate with the world around them. By responding with unconditional love and consistency, parents can help their babies and young children develop healthy social and emotional patterns that will serve them well throughout life.
