Cognitive & Language Development
This milestone, usually reached by 8–12 months, shows a baby understands that objects still exist even when out of sight.
What is object permanence?
This type of anxiety peaks around 9–12 months and signals healthy attachment formation.
What is stranger anxiety?
By about 9 months, most infants can do this to reach a standing position.
What is pull to stand?
A 6-year-old’s moral reasoning is based on avoiding punishment or gaining rewards.
What is preconventional morality?
Chronic stress or trauma may impair executive function through dysregulation of this neuroendocrine system.
What is the HPA axis?
In this Piagetian stage (ages 2–7), children engage in symbolic thought but are limited by egocentrism.
What is preoperational?
Around 12 months, infants begin doing this — looking to caregivers for cues in uncertain situations.
What is social referencing?
Walking independently is expected at this age range.
What is 12–15 months?
The central developmental conflict of adolescence, according to Erikson.
What is identity vs. role confusion?
These hallmark developmental features — deficits in social communication and restricted/repetitive behaviors — define this disorder.
What is autism spectrum disorder?
Around 24 months, most toddlers begin to use this kind of phrase, like “want juice.”
What is a 2 word phrase?
In Erikson’s stage from 1–3 years, toddlers struggle between independence and fear of making mistakes.
What is autonomy vs. shame and doubt?
Around age 2, a child can stack blocks and use utensils with minimal spilling — both examples of this type of milestone.
What is fine motor development?
The ability to understand that others have different thoughts and feelings, emerging around 4–5 years.
What is theory of mind?
Toilet training should only begin once a child shows awareness of this physical signal.
What is the urge to urinate or defecate?
A red flag at 18 months that could indicate language delay or autism spectrum disorder.
What is the absence of single words or lack of pointing/gesturing?
This kind of play, in which children engage together in a shared goal, typically emerges around age 4.
What is cooperative play?
Hand preference becomes established around 2–4 years; earlier preference can be a red flag for this condition.
What is cerebral palsy (or one-sided weakness)?
Increased BMI, family stress, and chemical exposure are linked to earlier onset of this developmental event.
What is puberty?
Speech sounds are acquired in this general order — early (p, b, m), middle (t, k, f), late (r, s, th).
What is the typical phoneme acquisition sequence?
By age 3, most children understand simple examples of these relational terms — like “in,” “on,” and “under.”
What are prepositions?
A child whose caregiver is inconsistently available may develop this insecure attachment pattern.
What is ambivalent (anxious-resistant) attachment?
A 3-year-old should be able to draw this basic shape, marking fine motor advancement.
What is a circle?
The process of separating emotionally and redefining self apart from parents occurs in this stage.
What is adolescence?
Sudden loss of previously acquired language or motor skills warrants urgent evaluation for these conditions.
What are neurodegenerative or metabolic disorders (e.g., Rett syndrome)?