A to Z’s of Early Childhood
The Science of Child Development and Learning
G is for Growth and Development
Research shows that knowing about growth and development helps guide quality early learning experiences. Read below to locate and access resources to help stay informed about developmental milestones and understand how to best support children’s learning and development.
Strategies for Monitoring Children’s Growth and Development
Here are four strategies and tips for monitoring children’s growth and development.
Strategy #1 - Learn about developmental milestones and the age ranges when children typically achieve them.
- Visit websites like the Centers for Disease Control to see which important skills children learn from birth to age 5.
- Look at your state’s early learning foundations or standards to see what children are expected to learn at different ages.
- Watch videos that show what different skills look like.
Strategy #2 - Keep track of children's growth and development.
- Use developmental checklists or a milestone tracker to track a child’s growth and development.
- Use education assessments or apps to track a child’s growth and development.
Strategy #3 - Share successes and concerns about children's growth and development.
- Write down successes, questions, and concerns about the child’s growth and development.
- Share successes, questions, and concerns with others who interact regularly with the child, such as early learning and care providers.
- Schedule and attend routine well-child pediatrician visits to discuss the child’s growth and development.
Strategy #4 - Learn about ways to support children's growth and development.
- Share ideas with others who interact regularly with the child and ask them to share their ideas about how to support growth and development.
- Watch examples and read about how to support growth and development in everyday routines.
What We are Doing
The Anita Zucker Center and our collaborators are helping families and practitioners learn how to monitor children’s growth and development and to use strategies that will support children’s learning and development in everyday routines.
Other Resources
- Six Ideas for Family Child Care Providers
Learn self-care tips from the National Association for the Education of Young Children. - Early Development and Well-Being
This resource from Zero to Three provides parents and caregivers with a variety of essential information about growth and development. - CDC Milestone Tracker app
Download this app to track early childhood milestones from two months to five years. - Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework app.
Use this app as a guide to children’s development and learning.
Receive Additional Support
The complete 3R’s of Early Learning downloadable video recordings (including the A to Z’s of Early Childhood) for use in the field of childhood development to facilitate learning are available for purchase.
If you would like to purchase these resources or speak with a member of our team for help in providing professional development, please complete this contact form.