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Think of what an amazing process early development is. Between birth and age 3, babies learn to roll, crawl, stand, walk, and run. They learn to talk, joke, rhyme, and sing. But development doesn’t happen in the same way, at the same time, for all children. Some children will develop certain skills (like walking or talking) faster or slower than others. These differences are very normal.
It’s important to remember that development is not a race. What’s most important is tuning into your child’s individual path, building on her strengths, and providing her with support when needed. Development unfolds within loving relationships, ones in which babies and toddlers can explore, learn, and grow.
Is Your Toddler Gifted?
It's hard to tell sometimes, because development in the early years can be uneven. One toddler can be talking in sentences (but not yet walking), while another might be climbing and running (but not yet talking much). Get some hints on supporting your child's early learning and building on her unique strengths in this parent Q&A.
From Baby To Big Kid
Check out our newest resource-- an e-newsletter on how children learn and grow each month from birth to 3 years. From Baby to Big Kid translates the science of early childhood and offers strategies parents can tailor to the needs of their unique family and individual child.
Your Baby's Development.
This set of nine, age-based handouts is available in both English and Spanish. Each handout includes:
- A chart that helps you know what to expect developmentally from your child, and how you can help your child learn at each stage
- Frequently asked questions and answers
- A spotlight section that goes into greater depth on a common issue or challenge for each age
- A research summary specific to each stage of development, and what it means for parents
To subscribe and receive this monthly age-based resource delivered right to your inbox, click here.
Don’t want to wait to watch development unfold? Click here to access the full archive of newsletters.
School Readiness Interactive
Visit our newest resource—a web-based, interactive learning tool designed to help parents and caregivers support their young children’s early learning. You'll find age-based information on how children develop the four key skills—language and literacy skills, thinking skills, self-confidence and self-control—that are critical to later school success. To access the School Readiness Interactive portion of our site, register or log-in now.
The Magic of Everyday Moments
Highlights developmental milestones from birth to three and shows how parents can support their children’s development through everyday activities and routines.
Early Arrival: Finding the Magic of Everyday Moments With Your Baby in the NICU
Explore the many ways that parents of preterm babies can bond with and care for their children both while the are in the hospital and after they transition home.
To access this resource, please log-in or register now.
Healthy Minds: Child Development from 0-3
Provides age-based information and research on child and brain development in the first three years.
Developmental Milestones from Birth to 3
Offers parents “at-a-glance” information on how a child's development unfolds from birth to three.
Birth to 8 months
8 to 18 months
18 to 36 months
Tips for Your Child's Development Assessment
Provides tips on preparing for, and participating fully in, your child's developmental assessment.
Everyday Ways to Support Your Baby or Toddler's Early Learning
Download this handout (in both English and Spanish) to learn more about how you can support your child's development—and have fun together—in the everyday moments you share. [682 KB  ]
Show Me the Numbers: Supporting Early Math Skills
Learn what grown-ups can do to nurture early math skills in children from birth to three. And no—it doesn’t require brushing up on your algebra. You’ll see how everyday activities and routines provide ample opportunities for counting, sorting, and problem-solving.
Preschool Prep: Preparing Your Toddler for Preschool
Many two- and three-year-olds are starting preschool programs this fall. Learn what you can do to make this big transition easier for your child. You’ll also find a timeline for all the things that need to be done to prepare for preschool and guidance on saying a “good good-bye” on your child’s first day.
Chew On This: Responding to Toddlers Who Bite
Learn why toddlers bite, what to do when it happens, and how your child can develop more acceptable ways of expressing herself and meeting her needs.
Jeepers Creepers: Your Baby Is Learning to Crawl
Read about how babies learn to crawl and how you can help them. Also get some hints on keeping your home safe for a baby on the go.
Positive Potty Training
Learn the signs for knowing when your child is ready to learn how to use the potty, and the secrets for making this a positive learning experience for your toddler. Click here.
Healthy From the Start: How Feeding Nurtures Your Young Child's Body, Heart, and Mind
Learn more about how feeding skills unfold over the first three years. (And discover how to deal with “picky eaters” as well!) If you would like to download this resource, please register or log-in now.
The Power of Play: Learning Through Play from Birth to Three
Explores how play supports children’s learning and development in all areas, including their thinking, physical, and social-emotional skills. To download this resource, register or log-in now.
Getting Ready for School Begins at Birth
Explores how parents can help their baby or toddler learn the basic skills they will need to succeed in school later on through everyday caregiving routines and interactions. To download this resource, register or log-in now.
Getting in Tune: The Powerful Influence of Music on Young Children’s Development
Shows how music can be the spark that ignites all areas of a young child’s development—intellectual, social and emotional, motor, language and overall literacy. To download this resource, register or log-in now.
On the Move: The Power of Movement in Your Child’s First Three Years
Discusses how movement activities are critical not just for children’s physical development, but for their overall development.
To download this resource, register or log-in now.
What Grown-Ups Understand About Children’s Development
Highlights findings from ZERO TO THREE’s national parents’ survey about child development from birth to three.
How Men and Children Affect Each Other's Development
Presents a scholarly article from the Zero to Three Journal on the influence of paternal care on children's development.
The Baby’s World
Zero to Three Journal article which explores the rapid development that occurs in baby’s first year.
Toddlers: Themes and Variations
Zero to Three Journal article which explores the rapid development that occurs in the toddler years.
Developmental Milestones
Why aren’t the developmental stages more specific?
Developmental Concerns
I am concerned with my child's development in several areas.
New Baby, Two Languages
I speak French, my husband English. Is it a good idea to use both languages with our newborn, or will it confuse her?
Tummy Time
My 3-month-old really dislikes tummy time.
Tossing Games
Our 4-month-old loves to be tossed up and down, but my mother says this isn't good for her.
Play and Infants
My 4-month-old has tons of toys my parents and other relatives have given her, but she doesn't seem interested in playing with them. When will she be?
“Late” Crawling
My 8-month-old isn't crawling yet. All the other babies in her playgroup are. Should I be worried?
Mouthing
Why does my 8-month-old put everything in his mouth--and how can I get him to stop? I worry about germs.
Babies and Sign Language
Does teaching babies sign language slow their language development?
Boy and Dog
My husband wants to get a dog for our 10-month-old, but I think it's too early.
Biting
My 13-month-old has started biting me and I don't know what to do.
Independence
My 16-month-old is in that phase where he wants to do everything by himself, from opening a lollipop wrapper to pouring his own milk.
Running and Reading
My 18-month-old used to love to look at books. Now he's so busy running around that he doesn't want to sit still to read.
Remote Control Issues
My 18-month-old is fixated on our remote control. She always goes back to it, even when I try to distract her with other toys.
Power Struggles
My 18-month-old refuses to brush her teeth. There's a struggle every morning and at bedtime.
Loss of a Loved One
My father recently died, and I've been dealing with it okay, but I'm not sure what to do concerning my 20-month-old.
Farewell to the Pacifier
How do I wean my 20-month-old daughter off her pacifier?
Me Do It!
I can't get a handle on my 20-month-old's moods.
Finger Foods
My toddler is refusing to use utensils...should we force him?
Back to Baby Talk
I have a 2 1/2-year-old daughter and a brand-new baby boy. Ever since we brought him home, my daughter, who had been speaking in full sentences, has reverted to baby talk.
Travelling for the Holidays
It's a trip. Read more about getting your baby ready to sleep in the portable crib, how to help your shy toddler meet a bunch of new (to him) relatives, and tips on making gift suggestions to relatives for your toddler.
Potty Preferences
We're potty training my 3-year-old, and she's been good about peeing in the potty at home. But she won't pee in public toilets.
Rewards for Good Behavior
Is it ever okay to reward a child for good behavior?
What's Best for My Baby and Me?
By Claire Lerner and Amy Laura Dombro (2006)
This brief parent guide outlines a three-step process for decision-making around sticky child-rearing issues.
Bringing Up Baby: Three Steps to Making Good Decisions in Your Child's First Years
By Claire Lerner and Amy Laura Dombro (2005)
Book shows parents easy, three-step approach for making child-rearing decisions in the first three years and beyond. Making decisions about your child’s sleep—co-sleeping, “crying it out”, etc.—is discussed as well.
Children's Play: The Roots of Reading
Edited by Edward F. Zigler, Dorothy G. Singer, and Sandra J. Bishop-Josef (2004)
This book shows how play—guided by teachers, child care providers, and parents—helps children learn the skills necessary for success in kindergarten and the early elementary school years, including basic literacy skills, social awareness, and creative problem solving.
Learning & Growing Together: Understanding and Supporting Your Child's Development
By Claire Lerner and Amy Laura Dombro (2000)
This book explores a number of important parenting issues, including early childhood development milestones and what parents can do to support healthy development.
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