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Developmental Milestones in Children

Speech therapy sessions for children focusing on language development and communication skills at Chatterbox Speech in Australia.

What Are Developmental Milestones?

Every child develops in their own time, but there are certain skills we typically expect to see at different ages. These are known as developmental milestones, and they help parents, educators, and health professionals understand how a child is progressing in key areas of early development, such as:

  • Communication and language
  • Motor skills and self-care
  • Play, social, and emotional development

You can think of milestones as helpful signposts — not rigid rules. Every child’s journey is different, but keeping track of how things are going can offer clarity and peace of mind.

Why Milestones Matter

Milestones provide a simple way to:

Bright young children engaging in speech therapy activities at Chatterbox Speech clinic, improving communication skills in a supportive environment.

Understand what’s typical at different ages

Colourful bubbles blowing in the garden with a woman and a young girl enjoying outdoor summer fun, highlighting child speech therapy and communication development services at Chatterbox Speech.

Celebrate your child’s strengths and achievements

Clear image of young girl with brown hair using magnifying glass to explore outdoors, promoting children's speech and language therapy through visual learning and communication skills development.

Spot any delays or challenges early on

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Start helpful conversations with your GP, educator, or a therapist

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Access early support if needed

But Here’s The Most Important Thing: Children Develop At Their Own Pace.

Some children focus on talking before they’re ready to run. Others are busy climbing and exploring before they’ve said their first word. A delay in one area doesn’t always mean there’s a concern — but checking in early can make a big difference if support is needed.

Colourful child speech therapy session focusing on language development and communication skills at Chatterbox Speech.

Explore Developmental Milestones by Area

Curious about what to expect at each stage and how to know when to seek support?

Start here: 

COMMUNICATION MILESTONES

Learn how your child’s understanding, talking and speech sounds typically develop.

OT MILESTONES

Discover how your child is expected to grow in areas like motor skills, self-care and sensory processing.

Explore Developmental Milestones by Area

Wondering how your child’s development is tracking? Our free, age-based checklists are a
great place to start.

They offer a simple way to reflect on what your child is doing now, what’s coming next- and when it might be time to reach out for extra support. Use them to make notes, track progress, or bring along to appointments with your GP, educator, or therapist.
Whether you’re exploring out of curiosity or considering support, these checklists offer clarity and direction, giving you the tools to decide what’s best for your child.

COMMUNICATION CHECKLIST
OT CHECKLIST

Frequently Asked Questions

What are developmental milestones in early childhood?

Developmental milestones are key skills children typically reach at certain ages, like crawling, talking, or feeding themselves. They help track growth in communication, motor skills, and social development.

You can use a developmental checklist or talk to a speech pathologist or occupational therapist. If your child is missing several skills expected for their age, or something feels “off,” it may be worth checking in with a professional.

No — children develop at different rates. Some reach milestones earlier or later than others. The pattern of development matters more than hitting every milestone at exactly the same time.