While it is true that not all children grow and develop at the same speed or on the same trajectory, we do know that the first years of a child’s life are a period of rapid brain development that directly affects their future learning, emotions, behavior, relationships, and overall health. This critical period is marked with a plethora of milestones—or indicators—that help assess if a child’s growth is on track.
A free app from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) makes it easier for parents and caregivers to track these developmental milestones for their young children, age 2 months to 5 years. The easy-to-use design incorporates illustrated checklists, photos, videos, and more and includes a variety of features, some of which follow:
- Milestone tracker
- Tips and activities that support children’s development at every age
- Know when to act early and talk with a doctor about developmental concerns
- Personalized milestone summary
- Well-visit snapshot tool records information received during doctor visits
- Helpful resources for families