Early Childhood Development PROF. EDITHA C.

MATEO
 If you’ve ever spent
time with young
children, you already
know they are amazing
learners. They develop
new skills and
vocabulary at what
seems to be a hundred
miles per hour. Young
children absorb
information and learn
INTRODUCTION in many
ways simultaneously.
 For example, while a
toddler is learning
important physical skills
and coordination—they’re
also developing speech,
studying social cues and
learning emotional
expression. It’s
remarkable how much
those little minds can take
in at once. This is one of
INTRODUCTION the many reasons 
early childhood educatio
n is so important
.
Why is early childhood
development important?

• You can probably guess why

children need to develop and
grow as they go along. They
can’t stay infants forever, no
matter how cute they are.
• Fostering the right environment
can help children develop self-
esteem while also explaining
some of their behaviors.
 “Understanding early
childhood
development can help
you more effectively
support your young
ones, but more
importantly, it helps
children develop a
strong sense of
Why is early childhood development confidence and
important?
determination.”
 “Understanding early
childhood
development can help
you more effectively
support your young
ones, but more
importantly, it helps
children develop a
strong sense of
Why is early childhood development confidence and
important?
determination.”
Important areas of early Early childhood
childhood development development is a little easier
to understand when you
break it into categories of
learning.

• Social and emotional

• Language/communication
• Movement/physical
development
• Cognitive (learning,
thinking, problem-solving
 Important areas of early
childhood development

In healthy children, these areas are
all important in growth and
development. When you consider a
learning environment, these growth
areas intersect.
For example, social and emotional
awareness often increases through
language and communication in the
preschool years. Or toddlers might
problem-solve and make cognitive
discoveries through movement and
physical growth.
 Early childhood development
milestones to watch for:
Milestones at 2 – 4 months old
• Try to look at parents; begin to smile
• Copy some movements and facial
expressions
• Turns head toward sounds
• Tracks movement with their eyes
• Starts to babble
• Holds head up, can push up while lying on
tummy
 Early Childhood Development
Milestones to watch for:

Milestones at Recognize Sit without

6–9 months old faces support

Can pick up Pull themselves to

Have objects between stand while
favorite toys thumb and index holding on to
finger objects

Early childhood development
milestones to watch for:
Milestones at one
year old
• Are often shy or nervous
with strangers
• Use simple gestures
• Say “mama” and/or
“dada”
• Follow simple directions
like, “Pick up that toy.”
• Find hidden items easily
• May stand or take a few
steps without support
Early childhood
development milestones to
watch for:

Milestones at 18-months old

• Initiate play by handing things to others
• Point at what they want
• Say several single words
• Know how ordinary objects (telephone,
spoon) are used
• Eat with spoons and drink with cups
 Show excitement
Milestones at two
around other
years old
kids

Repeat words or
Begin to sort
sentences often
shapes and colors
overheard

Begin to run, climb,

throw and stand on
tiptoe

Early childhood development

milestones to watch for:
Milestones at three years
old

•Exhibit a wide range of emotions

•Show concern for others
•Follow instructions with two or
three steps
•Play make-believe
•Dress and undress themselves
Milestones at four years old
• Enjoy trying new things and
talking about interests
• Know some basic grammar
rules
• Start to understand time and
the idea of counting
• Pour, cut and mash their food
with supervision
Milestones at five years old

• Like to sing, dance and playact

• Speak clearly in full sentences
• Can print some letters or
numbers
• Can use the toilet on their own