Your Child’s Development
Growth Is More Than Just Size
Your child’s development is about more than height and weight. From birth, children grow in how they communicate, learn, move, play, and connect with others. These skills develop through important milestones, including:
- Adaptive – learning self-help skills like eating, dressing, and toileting
- Communication – understanding and using language
- Cognitive – thinking, problem-solving, and learning cause and effect
- Social & Emotional – managing feelings and building relationships
- Motor – using large and small muscles for movement and coordination
The Power of Play
One of the best ways to support your child’s development is also one of the most fun: play. The first few years of life are critical for brain development, and play helps build learning, language, and emotional skills all while strengthening your bond as a family.
How Parents Can Help
You don’t need special tools—just time, attention, and play. Age-appropriate activities can help your child reach important milestones while keeping them engaged and happy. Helpful resources and activity ideas are linked below to guide you along the way.
Every child develops at their own pace but knowing what milestones to look for helps you support your child’s growth and seek help early if needed. With your love, attention, and involvement, you’re already giving your child the best possible start.
- Rady Children’s Health Child Development Guide: Ages and Stages
- CDC: Developmental Milestones
- First 5 California
- Good To Go From Head To Toe
- Zero to Three
- Zero to Three: A year of play
- PBS Parents
Contact Help Me Grow at 1-866-476-9025 to learn more about available resources in Orange County.