Typical vs. Atypical Development in Early Childhood
⇒ Jump straight to: Physical Development | Cognitive Development | Language and Communication Development | Social and Emotional Development
While each child grows at their own pace, there are developmental milestones that most children reach within certain age ranges. Significant delays or unusual patterns in reaching these milestones can indicate atypical development, which may benefit from early support. Early identification is crucial, as early intervention has been shown to improve long-term outcomes for children across many developmental domains.
Below, we explore four key areas of early childhood development and the signs that may suggest atypical growth.
Physical Development
Physical development in early childhood refers to a child’s growing ability to control and coordinate their body. This includes gross motor skills — like sitting, crawling, walking, and jumping — and fine motor skills, such as grasping, feeding themselves, or drawing with intention.
While every child grows in their own time, physical development tends to follow a recognisable rhythm. Understanding this rhythm helps us notice when a child might need a little extra support. When recognised early, gentle intervention can nurture confidence and unlock potential — in ways that ripple into all areas of life.
According to organisations like the World Health Organization (WHO), the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), observing physical milestones gives families a helpful window into a child’s overall development and well-being.
What’s Typically Seen?
Here are some common milestones based on international and Australian developmental guidelines. These reflect general patterns, not rigid checklists — and it’s okay if a child reaches them at a slightly different pace.
By 3-4 months
Lifts head and chest during tummy time
Pushes up on arms while lying on tummy
Brings hands to mouth
Begins to reach for dangling toys
By 6-7 months
Rolls over in both directions
Sits without support for short periods
Transfers objects between hands
Begins to rake small objects toward themselves
By 9-10 month
Sits independently and steadily
Crawls or uses another method of mobility (scooting, rolling)
Pulls to stand while holding onto furniture
Uses thumb and finger to pick up small objects (early pincer grasp)
By 12-15 months
Stands and walks independently
Picks up small items using precise finger movements
Begins to feed self with fingers or spoon
Scribbles with a crayon or marker when given
By 2 years
Walks, runs, and climbs stairs with assistance
Builds a tower of four or more blocks
Begins using utensils with more accuracy
Helps with dressing by extending arms or legs
By 3 years
Climbs well and pedals a tricycle
Walks up and down stairs with alternating feet
Turns pages one at a time
Begins to draw circles and other simple shapes
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When to Look a Little Closer?
Development is not a race — but certain signs can suggest it’s time to pause and check in.
By 4–6 months
Very stiff or floppy body movements
Poor head control
Doesn’t reach for or grasp toys
Limited spontaneous movement
By 9 months
Unable to sit independently
Doesn’t bear weight on legs when held
Strong preference for one side of the body
By 12–15 months
Not crawling or showing another form of movement
Doesn’t pull to stand
Uses only one hand consistently
Struggles to pick up small objects
By 18–24 months
Not walking on their own
Frequently trips or seems unusually clumsy
Difficulty using fingers for simple tasks (e.g. feeding, stacking)
These signs can sometimes indicate conditions such as hypotonia, cerebral palsy, or global developmental delay. According to the AAP and the Royal Children’s Hospital, early access to physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or developmental paediatrics can make a meaningful difference.
Why Early Recognition Matters
Physical development forms the base of so much more — from how a child explores the world, to how they regulate emotions, engage socially, and build independence.
As supported by the WHO and the German Society of Paediatrics, early intervention has a profound impact. The earlier a delay is recognised, the more we can support the child’s natural capacity to grow, adapt, and thrive — through gentle, tailored care.
You don’t need to wait for a formal diagnosis to seek help. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and reach out to your child’s GP, a pediatric specialist, or a local early childhood team. You are your child’s greatest advocate — and you don’t have to do it alone.
Cognitive Development
Cognitive development is all about how children learn to think, explore, and make sense of the world around them. It involves memory, attention, problem-solving, curiosity, and the early building blocks of understanding cause and effect.
Just like physical growth, cognitive development tends to unfold in a recognisable pattern — but the pace can vary. Some children are careful observers before they speak or act, while others dive into trial and error. Both are natural. Still, certain signs may point to a delay, and gentle early support can make a real difference.
According to leading health authorities like the WHO, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, and DGKJ, observing cognitive milestones is key to identifying when a child may benefit from added guidance, especially in the early years when the brain is most adaptable.
What’s Typically Seen?
Cognitive growth is woven into everyday play and interaction — and the signs are often subtle and beautiful. Here are some general milestones:
By 3-4 months
Watches faces with interest
Follows objects with eyes
Reacts to new sounds or sights
Begins to anticipate routines (like feeding or changing)
By 6-7 months
Explores objects by putting them in mouth
Looks around to locate sounds
Shows curiosity — reaches for things out of reach
Begins to understand cause and effect (e.g., shaking a rattle makes noise)
By 9-10 months
Looks for partially hidden objects (early object permanence)
Watches and imitates actions
Transfers objects from one hand to another
Experiments with different ways to reach or use toys
By 12-15 months
Points to objects of interest
Imitates gestures (like clapping or waving)
Finds hidden toys under cloth or cup
Begins to solve simple problems through trial and error
By 2 years
Recognises familiar pictures in books
Follows two-step instructions (“Get your shoes and bring them here”)
Begins to sort shapes and colours
Uses imagination during play (e.g. feeding a doll)
By 3 years
Understands basic time concepts (morning, night)
Can complete simple puzzles
Asks questions like “what” and “why”
Plays pretend with more story structure
When to Look a Little Closer?
It’s completely normal for children to have strengths in some areas and move slower in others. But if certain cognitive behaviours are consistently missing, it may be time for a professional check-in.
By 6–9 months
Doesn’t show interest in surroundings
Doesn’t follow objects visually
Rarely explores with hands or mouth
Doesn’t react to familiar people or sounds
By 12–15 months
Doesn’t imitate gestures or actions
Doesn’t search for hidden items
Struggles to understand simple instructions
Has limited curiosity
By 18–24 months
Doesn’t recognise common objects or pictures
Isn’t solving simple problems or exploring how things work
Rarely engages in pretend or imaginative play
By 3 years
Shows little interest in new experiences or problem-solving
Doesn’t ask questions or show curiosity
Struggles to follow basic routines or transitions
Has difficulty staying focused on play or books
Delays in cognitive development may co-occur with speech or social delays. The DGKJ and the AAP highlight the importance of early neurodevelopmental assessment, especially if concerns span multiple areas.
Why Early Recognition Matters
A child’s cognitive development shapes how they make sense of their environment, relate to others, and eventually learn in formal settings. When a child struggles to focus, follow instructions, or explore new things, it can affect their confidence and connection to the world around them.
The good news? Early cognitive supports — such as child-led play therapy, developmental assessments, or family-centred guidance — have a strong track record of nurturing healthy thinking patterns and boosting a child’s long-term potential (WHO, 2020; DGKJ, 2022).
If something feels off or your child isn’t quite connecting with the world as expected, you’re not alone — and help is available. Reach out to your child’s healthcare provider or a developmental specialist. There’s no need to wait for a formal diagnosis to begin offering support.
Language and Communication Development
Language is more than words — it’s how a child connects, expresses needs, shares joy, and begins to understand the world around them. Communication includes both verbal language (sounds, words, sentences) and non-verbal cues (gestures, eye contact, pointing).
Children develop language at different speeds, and early expressions might come through gestures or sounds long before sentences. Still, there’s a general rhythm to language growth — and knowing what’s typical helps parents and caregivers recognise when to step in with support.
The WHO, AAP, and DGKJ all emphasise the importance of identifying early language delays, as early intervention can significantly improve outcomes — especially in cases where communication challenges may indicate broader neurodevelopmental differences like autism or hearing concerns.
What’s Typically Seen?
By 3-4 months
Makes cooing sounds and vowel-like noises
Turns head toward voices
Smiles in response to familiar voices and faces
By 6-7 months
Begins babbling (“ba-ba,” “da-da”)
Responds to name
Uses voice to express pleasure or discomfort
Watches mouth movements and facial expressions closely
By 9-10 months
Understands simple words like “no” or “bye-bye”
Uses gestures (reaches, lifts arms to be picked up)
Imitates sounds and tones of voice
May say “mama” or “dada” without specific meaning
By 12-15 months
Says 1–3 meaningful words
Understands and follows simple instructions with gestures
Points to objects of interest or wants
Uses varied sounds and gestures to express needs
By 2 years
Has a vocabulary of 50+ words
Begins combining 2 words (“more milk,” “mama go”)
Follows two-step instructions
Names familiar people, objects, and body parts
By 3 years
Speaks in 3–4 word sentences
Is understood by familiar adults most of the time
Asks questions (“What’s that?” “Why?”)
Talks about activities or experiences
Understands simple concepts like big/little or in/on
When to Look a Little Closer
Not all “late talkers” have a developmental concern — but certain signs may indicate the need for a more detailed speech and language evaluation.
By 6–9 months
Doesn’t babble or make a range of sounds
Rarely smiles or interacts vocally
Doesn’t respond to sounds, voices, or name
By 12–15 months
No meaningful words
Doesn’t point, wave, or use gestures to communicate
Doesn’t follow simple instructions
Has difficulty making eye contact during communication
By 18–24 months
Says fewer than 10–20 words
Doesn’t combine words by 2 years
Frequently frustrated by inability to express self
Doesn’t appear to understand simple language
By 3 years
Speech is hard to understand even for familiar adults
Doesn’t ask questions or initiate conversation
Difficulty following short stories or basic routines
Shows little interest in verbal interaction
Early challenges with speech may be connected to hearing issues, neurodevelopmental differences (such as autism), or specific language delays. The German Society of Paediatrics and Australian Autism Association both advocate early screening and family-led support as key to improving communication outcomes.
Why Early Recognition Matters
Language is a foundation for learning, social connection, and emotional regulation. When a child struggles to express themselves or understand others, it can affect not just how they communicate — but how they relate to the world.
The encouraging news: research shows that early, play-based interventions — whether through speech therapy, social games, or inclusive early learning settings — can help children build strong communication skills, even if they start from behind (AAP, 2022; WHO, 2020; DGKJ, 2022).
If you’re unsure whether your child’s language is on track, trust your instincts. It’s always okay to ask your GP, paediatrician, or a certified speech-language therapist for a closer look.
Social and emotional development shapes how a child connects with others, manages emotions, and begins to understand themselves in relation to the world. From early bonding to first friendships, these skills create the foundation for empathy, resilience, and mental wellbeing.
While every child is unique in how they relate and respond, there are certain patterns that indicate healthy emotional growth. When children have consistent, warm interactions with caregivers, their emotional development naturally flourishes. But if they struggle to engage, soothe themselves, or relate to others, it may signal a need for extra support.
According to the WHO, AAP, DGKJ, and Autism Association of Australia, early signs of atypical emotional or social development are often the first indicators of neurodevelopmental differences, including autism spectrum conditions.
What’s Typically Seen
By 3-4 months
Smiles responsively at caregivers
Enjoys being held, cuddled, or talked to
Expresses discomfort or pleasure through facial expressions and sounds
By 6-7 months
Shows excitement when familiar people appear
Responds to emotions in others’ voices
Begins to show preference for caregivers
Laughs during play and social interaction
By 9-10 months
Seeks comfort from familiar adults when upset
May show anxiety with strangers
Enjoys simple social games like peekaboo
Imitates facial expressions and sounds
By 12-15 months
Shows affection (e.g. hugs or kisses)
May comfort others in distress (early empathy)
Begins to express frustration more clearly (e.g. tantrums)
Looks to caregiver for cues in unfamiliar situations (social referencing)
By 2 years
Expresses a wider range of emotions
Engages in simple parallel play with other children
Begins to say “no” to assert independence
Imitates adult behaviour (e.g. sweeping, pretending to cook)
By 3 years
Engages in imaginative play with others
Understands turn-taking and basic sharing
Expresses affection freely and asks for comfort
Talks about own feelings and recognises emotions in others
When to Look a Little Closer
Some children are naturally more introverted or slow to warm up — and that’s okay. But consistent difficulties in emotional engagement, attachment, or self-regulation may need professional attention.
By 6–9 months
Rarely smiles or shows joyful expressions
Doesn’t respond to familiar voices or faces
Doesn’t show interest in social games or people
Appears unusually passive or disengaged
By 12–15 months
Doesn’t seek comfort from caregivers when upset
Shows little interest in other children
Doesn’t imitate facial expressions, sounds, or gestures
Has difficulty expressing or regulating emotions
By 18–24 months
Doesn’t show interest in shared play or pretend games
Has frequent, intense emotional outbursts without recovery
Avoids eye contact or social interaction
Is not yet showing attachment to familiar adults
By 3 years
Doesn’t participate in group play or follow simple social rules
Has trouble managing transitions or routines
Shows little awareness of others’ emotions
Doesn’t use words or gestures to express needs or feelings
Social and emotional delays can occur on their own or as part of broader developmental profiles, such as autism spectrum conditions or attachment difficulties. The Australian Autism Association and DGKJ recommend early screening and neurodevelopmental consultation if signs persist.
Why Early Recognition Matters
A child’s emotional wellbeing influences every part of development — from how they play to how they learn. Difficulties with social connection or emotion regulation can impact confidence, relationships, and even physical health.
But there’s hope: with the right early support, children can build emotional tools that help them thrive. Family-based therapies, child psychology services, and inclusive early learning environments have all been shown to support long-term social-emotional resilience (WHO, 2020; AAP, 2022; DGKJ, 2021).
If something doesn’t feel right in how your child connects or responds emotionally, reach out to a healthcare provider or child development specialist. You don’t have to wait for a label — connection, support, and understanding can start now.
Social and Emotional Development