Tracking Milestones: What to Expect from Infants, Toddlers & Preschoolers

Every child grows at their own pace, but knowing what milestones to look for can help parents feel confident and reassured as their little one develops. At Tomlin Prep Academy, we believe tracking milestones isn’t about comparing children—it’s about celebrating progress, identifying needs early, and supporting every step of their journey.

Here’s a helpful guide to what you can expect during the early years:

👶 Infants (0–12 Months)

Infants grow rapidly in their first year, hitting many exciting milestones.

• Physical: Rolling over, sitting with support, crawling, pulling up, and possibly taking first steps by their first birthday.

• Cognitive: Recognizing familiar voices, responding to their name, and beginning to understand simple words like “no.”

• Social/Emotional: Smiling, making eye contact, and showing attachment to caregivers.

💡 Tip: Encourage development through tummy time, play, and lots of loving interaction.

👧 Toddlers (1–3 Years)

This stage is full of exploration, independence, and big emotions.

• Physical: Walking steadily, running, climbing, stacking blocks, and beginning to feed themselves with utensils.

• Cognitive: Recognizing colors and shapes, following simple instructions, and forming short sentences.

• Social/Emotional: Showing independence, expressing preferences, and beginning to play alongside other children.

💡 Tip: Toddlers thrive with routines and gentle encouragement as they learn new skills.

🧒 Preschoolers (3–5 Years)

Preschoolers are curious learners, preparing for kindergarten and beyond.

• Physical: Improved balance and coordination, pedaling tricycles, cutting with safety scissors, and drawing simple figures.

• Cognitive: Recognizing letters and numbers, problem-solving, and asking lots of “why” questions.

• Social/Emotional: Playing cooperatively, sharing, showing empathy, and expressing a wide range of emotions.

💡 Tip: Support their curiosity with age-appropriate challenges, books, and opportunities to make friends.

Why Tracking Milestones Matters

Every child’s timeline is unique, but tracking developmental milestones helps parents and teachers work together to support growth. If a delay is noticed, early intervention can make a big difference in helping a child succeed.

At Tomlin Prep Academy, we celebrate achievements big and small while giving children the right balance of care, learning, and play to reach their potential.

📞 Call us today at 816-785-7878 or schedule your tour here: https://www.tomlinacademy.net/schedule-a-tour