Developmental Milestones Resource Library
Trusted links to milestone checklists, apps, and guides from evidence-based pediatric and early childhood organizations.
How to Use These Resources
The links below are meant to support families, caregivers, and early childhood educators as they learn about child development from birth through age 5. Whenever possible, I link directly to resources created by professional organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Remember: online tools are most helpful when they are used with your child’s healthcare team. If a checklist or app ever raises questions or concerns, write them down and bring them to your child’s next visit.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
2 Month – 5 Year Early Relational Health Developmental Milestone Timeline
This AAP timeline outlines developmental milestones across early infancy, toddlerhood, and the preschool years, with a special focus on early relational health – how a child connects with caregivers and the world around them.
👉 View the AAP Early Relational Health Milestone Timeline (2 months – 5 years)
Milestones Matter: Your Child’s Growth & Development
Family-friendly article from the AAP that highlights key milestones across the early years and encourages parents to celebrate progress, track development, and seek support early if they have concerns.
👉 Read “Milestones Matter: Your Child’s Growth & Development” on HealthyChildren.org
Note: The AAP milestone lists and timelines are protected content. Always use the original AAP pages for copying, printing, or sharing exact milestone wordings.
CDC “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” Program
CDC Developmental Milestones Checklists (Birth to 5 Years)
The CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program provides free milestone checklists for ages 2 months through 5 years, including photos and examples of skills in social-emotional, language, cognitive, and movement areas.
👉 Visit CDC’s Developmental Milestones (Learn the Signs. Act Early.)
CDC Milestone Tracker App
A free mobile app (iOS and Android) that lets you track your child’s milestones, add photos and notes, and generate a summary you can share with your child’s healthcare provider.
👉 Learn about the CDC Milestone Tracker App
The CDC and AAP worked together to update many of these milestones using evidence-informed criteria. Use their official checklists whenever you need exact wording.
Additional Family-Friendly Milestone Tools
Pathways.org Milestone Guides & Videos
Pathways.org offers milestone information, short videos demonstrating skills, and printable guides for families. Their milestones are based on materials from the CDC and AAP and are especially helpful for visual learners.
👉 Explore Pathways.org Milestones & Tracking Tools
Early Intervention & Local Resources
Every U.S. state and territory has an early intervention program for children under age 3, as well as preschool special education services for children 3–5. These programs can provide evaluations and support at low or no cost to families who qualify.
👉 Find your state’s early intervention contact information
Using Milestones in Early Childhood Classrooms
For early childhood teachers, milestone checklists can be a helpful planning tool for:
- Designing developmentally appropriate activities and classroom routines.
- Observing children’s strengths across different domains (social-emotional, language, motor, cognitive).
- Documenting concerns and partnering with families if additional support may be needed.
When in doubt, lean on your program’s policies and your local early childhood special education team for next steps.
Important Notes & Medical Disclaimer
All external links on this page are provided for informational purposes only. Early Learning Made Easy does not control, endorse, or guarantee the accuracy of content on external sites. For questions about your child’s specific development or health needs, always consult your pediatrician or qualified healthcare provider.
Research & Attribution: This resource library is independently curated by Early Learning Made Easy and is informed by evidence-based guidance from fields such as pediatrics, early childhood education, and positive psychology. It is not sponsored by, affiliated with, or officially endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, CDC, or any other listed organization.
Helpful Books & Tools for Understanding Developmental Milestones
These are optional tools for families and educators who like having a deeper reference on child development from birth through the preschool years. As always, your child’s pediatrician is your best source for medical advice.
-
Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5 (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Comprehensive, evidence-based guide to health, safety, and development from newborn through age five, written by pediatric experts.
Find “Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5” on Amazon -
Ages and Stages: A Parent’s Guide to Normal Childhood Development
Plain-language overview of developmental stages from infancy through the school years, with practical examples and ideas for supporting growth.
Find “Ages and Stages: A Parent’s Guide to Normal Childhood Development” on Amazon -
The Wonder Weeks
A parent-friendly look at common “leaps” in babies’ development and how behavior can change during growth spurts in the first years.
Find “The Wonder Weeks” on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate, Early Learning Made Easy earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. I only share products that align with developmentally appropriate, evidence-informed practice.
Recommended Books for Understanding Child Development
These parent-friendly books offer helpful guidance on typical development from birth through the early years.
As an Amazon Associate, Early Learning Made Easy earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
No comments:
Post a Comment
We would love to hear from you!
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.