FACT SHEETS

Prenatal
During this period of development two physical developmental milestones that should occur would be
the first 14 days of development where the zygote or cells form after conception. Another would be the
implantation of that cell and the start of the embryonic stage of development where organs are formed
and blood begins to flow through the umbilical cord to and from the mother which is the beginning of
the miracle of life and an exciting time for the mother to be.
Two language developmental milestones that occur in this period are the systanic heart rate change in
responding to a female or male voice other than the mothers voice and recognizing familiar patterns
when the mother is reading while pregnant, at this time.
Two cognitive developmentally milestones that are reached in this period are where the fetus begins to
have a rhythmic sleep and wake cycle and in the third trimester, it responds more and more to outside
stimulus and develops pain sensitivity in the cerebral cortex(Berk, 2013, p93).
One sign that could signal atypical development during this time period would be the use of a drug or
alcohol during pregnancy that would affect development such as low birth weight, abnormal heartbeat
etc.
Two motor developments that occur at this time are the swallowing and sucking reflexes are present at
birth.
Two growth and physical developmentally milestones are that the head is large in relation to the body
and accounts for of total body weight and the eyes are very sensitive to light at this time.
One strategy to use for learning developments in this period would be reading aloud while pregnant to
encourage language development and reading skills after giving birth.
Atypical developmental delay could be not rolling head from side to side or making eye-to-eye contact
when awake or being held.


INFANCY & TODDLERHOOD
Two physical developmental milestones in this period are when the baby grabs objects with the entire
hand and they are able to raise their heads and upper body and arms when they are laying on their
tummies which is also known as the prone position (Allen-Marotoz, 2010)
Two language milestones that typically developing children should reach are how they react to sounds
and start to look around to identify the sounds. The other one is when they start to babble or coo as a
response when spoken to or smiled at and also laughing out loud.
Two cognitive developmental milestones they should reach are being able to stay focused on objects
that are held at a distance of 12 inches and follow them across a 180 degree path. Next is focusing on
small objects and trying to reach for them.
One sign that may signal atypical developmental development is if the infact does not continue to grow
in height, weight and head circumference.
One strategy that families can use to influence their childrens learning and development in this period
is to sing songs and use nursery rhymes to encourage language and cognitive development.
Two motor developmentally milestones that they should reach are rooting and sucking reflexes are well
developed and the child can turn the head from side to side while in a face up position.
Two social developmentally milestones that they should reach are to stop crying when parent or
caregiver comes near and reacts differently when they hear two different voices. Atypical
developmental delay could be not reacting to loud noises, show weight or growth gains, or doesnt suck
or swallow with ease.

EARLY CHILDHOOD
Two physical developmental milestones at this period are walking in a straight line and holding crayons
and markers using the tripod grasps (Allen-Marotz,2010,p147)
Two language developmental milestones that typically developing children should reach are being able
to converse socially such as HI, Please, Bye and be able to answer questions with What, Who and
Where in regard to things that are familiar with at home or school.
Two cognitive developmental milestones that typically developing children should reach are that they
begin to listen and focus as stories are read to them and they begin to pretend play with dolls for girls
and trucks for boys as they relate to the realities in their lives.
One sign that may signal atypical development during this time is if they cannot understand and follow
directions or use three and four letter words for example bye, clap, sit down, stop.
One strategy that families can use to influence their childrens learning is to read to them and use
counting blocks or activities that they can use to work with their hands.
Two motor developmentally milestones that should occur during this time are walking up and down the
stairs without assistance and turn the pages of a book one at a time. Two social developmentally
milestones that should occur during this time are understanding how to take turns even when they
dont want to do so and identifies self as a girl or boy.

MIDDLE CHILDHOOD
Two physical developmental milestones that typically developing children should reach are accuracy
when throwing a ball and participating in team sports. Another would be writing or beginning to draw
and create in detail.
Two language developmental milestones that typically developing children should reach are lots and lots
of talking either specifically or at random and often for attention. Also begins to use the slang language
that is learned from peers.
Two cognitive developmental milestones that typically developing children should reach are to be
challenged, especially in mathematics even though they might not yet understand the concepts. Also
one is learning in a hands-on manner through activities or play rather than just listening to a verbal
lecture.
Two social developmentally milestones are experiencing sudden mood swings with the best friends
one minute and not my friend anymore the next and looking for adult approval and reassurance.
One sign that may signal atypical development during this period is if the child is not improving in the
fine motor skills or being able to make and keep friends.
One strategy that families can use to influence their childrens learning development is to encourage
them to do at least an hour of physical activity each day and always welcome communication about
everything.
In Piagets theory of cognitive development is where this information can be found. The Preoperational
stage from (2-7years) the child begins to think in symbols about their immediate environment, the
Concrete operational stage (7-11years) the child begins to understand and formulate ideas about their
immediate world and in the Formal operational stage (11-15years) the child develops complex thinking
skills and abstract thoughts and ideas and problem solving skills.
In Eriksons theory during middle childhood, Initiative vs. guilt (3-5 years) uses social interactions to gain
control over their every day world, Industry vs. inferiority (5-12years) is where they develop a sense of
pride of accomplishments. Identity vs. confusion (12-20years) is where they are learning about self in
relationship to others.

ADOLESCENCE
Two physical developmental milestones that typically developing children should reach are puberty and
the physical changes that occur during this time.
Two language developmental milestones that typically developing children should reach are the ability
to communicate clearly and understanding subtle, nonliteral word meanings.
Two cognitive developmental milestones that typically developing children should reach are having a
working memory learning to becoming more organized and self-motivated.
One sign that may signal atypical development world be peer pressure and stress that would relate to
drug use and or suicide.
One strategy that families can use to influence their childrens learning development during this time is
to communicate and support them at all times.



REFERENCES:
Berk, 2013, 9
th
edition, Child development, Pearson Upper saddle river, New Jersey.
Allen, Marotz, 2012, 6
th
edition, Developmental profiles, pre-birth through twelve, Wadsworth,
Belmont,Ca.