A guide for whānau on your child’s developmental journey from 3 months to 5 years
Watching your tamariki grow and reach new milestones is one of the most rewarding parts of parenthood. Every child develops at their own pace, but understanding typical developmental stages can help you support and celebrate your child’s unique journey. At Kids Connect, we partner with whānau to nurture each child through these precious early years.
Understanding Developmental Milestones
Developmental milestones are skills and behaviours that most children (about 75% or more) can do by a certain age. These markers help us understand how tamariki are growing across different areas — physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and language development. Remember, every child is unique, and variations in timing are completely normal
Infants: 3-12 Months
Building Trust and Connection
3-6 Months
Your pēpi is discovering their world through their senses and beginning to engage socially:
- Physical: Lifting head during tummy time, bringing hands to mouth, reaching for toys
- Social/Emotional: Smiling responsively, recognising familiar faces, enjoying peek-a-boo
- Communication: Cooing, babbling, turning towards sounds
- Cognitive: Following objects with eyes, exploring toys with hands and mouth
6-12 Months
This is a time of rapid growth as your infant becomes more mobile and interactive:
- Physical: Sitting without support, crawling, pulling to stand, first steps may appear
- Social/Emotional: Showing stranger anxiety, developing attachments, expressing joy and frustration
- Communication: Babbling with consonants (“mama”, “dada”), responding to name, understanding “no”
- Cognitive: Finding hidden objects, exploring cause and effect, dropping toys deliberately
At Kids Connect: Our Huia Nursery provides a peaceful environment with a 1:3 ratio, allowing kaiako to respond to each infant’s individual rhythms and support these crucial early connections.
Toddlers: 12 Months – 3.5 Years
Exploring Independence
12-18 Months
Your toddler is becoming a confident explorer:
- Physical: Walking independently, climbing stairs with help, scribbling with crayons
- Social/Emotional: Showing affection, playing alongside others (parallel play), asserting independence
- Communication: Saying 5-10 words, following simple instructions, pointing to communicate
- Cognitive: Using objects correctly (brush for hair), simple problem-solving, imitating actions
18-24 Months
The “terrific twos” bring new challenges and achievements:
- Physical: Running, kicking balls, building towers of 4+ blocks
- Social/Emotional: Beginning to show empathy, increased tantrums as emotions develop
- Communication: 50+ word vocabulary, combining 2 words (“more kai”), enjoying simple stories
- Cognitive: Sorting shapes and colours, engaging in pretend play, following 2-step instructions
2-3.5 Years
Your tamariki is becoming more social and communicative:
- Physical: Jumping with both feet, pedalling tricycles, improving fine motor skills
- Social/Emotional: Playing with others (not just alongside), showing pride in achievements
- Communication: Using 3-4 word sentences, asking “why” questions, singing familiar waiata
- Cognitive: Completing simple puzzles, understanding “big” and “small”, counting to 3
At Kids Connect: Our Moa Nursery and Moa Toddlers rooms support this journey toward independence through language-rich environments and opportunities for both active play and quiet exploration.
Preschoolers: 3.5-5 Years
Preparing for New Adventures
3.5-4 Years
Your child is developing school readiness skills:
- Physical: Hopping on one foot, catching bounced balls, using scissors
- Social/Emotional: Taking turns, expressing feelings with words, developing friendships
- Communication: Telling simple stories, using complex sentences, understanding positional words
- Cognitive: Counting to 10, recognising some letters, drawing basic shapes
4-5 Years
The final year before school brings remarkable growth:
- Physical: Skipping, writing some letters, dressing independently
- Social/Emotional: Following rules in games, showing empathy, managing emotions better
- Communication: Speaking clearly in full sentences, retelling stories, rhyming words
- Cognitive: Writing own name, counting 10+ objects, understanding yesterday/today/tomorrow
At Kids Connect: Our Huia Preschool’s daily School Readiness Programme weaves literacy and numeracy into play-based learning, while community visits build confidence for the transition to school.
Supporting Your Child’s Development
At Home
- Follow your child’s lead: Let their interests guide play and learning
- Talk and sing: Narrate daily activities, read stories, sing waiata together
- Provide safe exploration: Create environments where tamariki can move and discover
- Celebrate efforts: Focus on the process, not just achievements
- Maintain routines: Consistent patterns support emotional security
When to Seek Guidance
While children develop at different rates, trust your instincts. If you have concerns about your child’s development, speak with your Plunket nurse, GP, or our kaiako. Early support can make a significant difference.
Cultural Considerations
Remember that developmental expectations can vary across cultures. At Kids Connect, we honour diverse perspectives on child development and work with whānau to support each child in culturally responsive ways. Your family’s values and practices are an important part of your child’s growth journey.
Celebrating Every Milestone
Each milestone — from first smiles to first words to first friendships — represents your child’s unique journey of growth. At Kids Connect, we document these special moments through learning stories and portfolios, creating treasured records of your tamariki’s early years.
Remember, development isn’t a race. Some children zoom ahead in one area while taking their time in another. What matters most is that your child feels loved, supported, and celebrated for who they are today while being gently encouraged toward who they’re becoming.
Partnership in Growth
At Kids Connect, we believe in working closely with whānau to support each child’s development. Our kaiako observe and document milestones, share insights during regular hui, and collaborate with you to create Individual Learning Plans that honour your child’s unique journey.
Together, we’re not just watching milestones — we’re nurturing confident, capable learners who are ready to embrace their future with joy and curiosity.
Every child’s journey is unique and beautiful. If you have questions about your child’s development, our experienced kaiako are always here to support you. Together, we celebrate each step of your tamariki’s incredible journey of growth.