What are developmental milestones? 

Developmental milestones are specific skills or behaviors that most children achieve by a certain age, such as walking or talking. They are used to assess a child's developmental progress. Monitoring these helps identify potential developmental delays or concerns.

What are growth stages? 

Growth stages refer to specific periods in human development characterized by rapid physical and/or psychological change. Examples include infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Monitoring growth stages helps in understanding and anticipating health needs relevant to each stage.

Infant milestones: 1 month–1 year

Physical milestones for infants

• Can sit straight if propped up
• Can roll from front to back
• Can raise head 90 degrees while on stomach

Cognitive milestones for infants

• Able to coo
• Able to open mouth for bottle
• Looks at hands with interest

Psychosocial milestones for infants

• Smiles on his own
• Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention

Nursing care tips for infants

• Hold, swaddle and pat for comfort.
• Use soft voice and calm approach.
• Sing songs.

Toddler developmental milestones: 1–3 years

Physical milestones for toddlers

• Can turn pages of a book
• Ready for toilet training
• Reaches 1⁄2 of final adult height

Cognitive milestones for toddlers

• Able to communicate needs
• Can organize phrases
• Vocabulary has increased.

Psychosocial milestones for toddlers

• Mimics activities
• Enjoys being read to
• Enjoys play that involves building and creating

Nursing care tips for toddlers

• Let the child hold some of your equipment.
• Let toddler sit on parent’s lap.
• Give praises.

Preschool children milestones: 3–5 years

Physical milestones for preschool children

• Has 20/20 vision
• Sleeps 11–13 hours at night
• Shows improved balance

Cognitive milestones for preschool children

• Has vocabulary over 1000 words
• Can use past tense
• Can count to 4

Psychosocial milestones for preschool children

• Can be taught to do small chores
• Can participate and follow rules
• Can share and play with other children

Nursing care tips for preschool children

• Coach the child to ask more questions.
• Give child choices from acceptable options (e.g., do you want your shot in the right arm or left arm?).
• Use drawings to explain procedures.

Children in elementary school: 6–10 years

Physical milestones for elementary school children

• Ability to make bed
• Dresses appropriately
• Writes neatly

Cognitive milestones for elementary school children

• Rapid mental skill development
• Less focused on oneself
• Uses five- to seven-word sentences

Psychosocial milestones for elementary school children

• Begins thinking about future
• Wants to be accepted
• More independent of family

Nursing care tips for elementary school children

• Knock on door before entering.
• Provide fresh air.
• Encourage deep breathing to allay anxiety.

Adolescents: 13–19 years

Physical changes in adolescents

• Rapid growth
• Development of reproductive organs/secondary sex characteristics

Cognitive changes in adolescents

Increased rational thinking ability

Psychosocial changes in adolescents

• Self-identity formation
• Exploration of sexuality
• Social pressures
• Emotional lability

Nursing care tips for adolescents

• Open-ended questions
• Non-judgmental communication
• Allow separation from parents.

Bonus download: growth stages: adolescent–mature adult

Understand growth and development in order to provide appropriate, individualized care across the lifespan

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DOWNLOAD CHEAT SHEET ➜

Early adults: 20–39 years

Physical changes in early adults

Childbearing years: possible gestational changes for those capable of pregnancy 

Cognitive changes in early adults

Critical thinking habits increase. 

Psychosocial changes in early adults

• Maturation
• Career focus
• Adult relationships
• Stress related to life goals

Nursing care tips for early adults

• Consider relationship status, occupation and social stressors.
• Assess barriers to wellness.

Middle adults: 40–64 years

Physical changes in middle adults

• Aging
• Increased risk of disease/illness
• Perimenopause/menopausal changes

Cognitive changes in middle adults

Cognitive changes rare, related to illness or injury

Psychosocial changes in middle adults

• Changes in self-image
• Family and financial responsibility/stress
• Career transitions
• Changes in sexuality

Nursing care tips for middle adults

• Normalize physical changes and menopausal transition.
• Encourage disease-specific screening and prevention.

Mature adult: 65 years and older

Physical changes in mature adults

Physical and functional decline often occurs as age progresses.

Cognitive changes in mature adults

• Cognitive function and short term memory often decline with progressive aging. 
• Possible depression related to role transition and isolation

Psychosocial changes in mature adults

• Retirement
• Changes to daily routine, environment, housing
• Social isolation
• Changes in sexuality

Nursing care tips for mature adults

• Assess functional and cognitive baseline, monitor changes.
• Continue disease-specific screening and prevention.
• Consider stressors related to isolation, loss and grief.