Milestones to Watch for in Early Childhood
Supporting Your Child’s Growth from Infancy to Preschool
Early childhood is a time of rapid development, and understanding key milestones can help parents feel confident and informed as their child grows. At The Nest Academy Learning Preschool, we support children through every stage of development with nurturing care and age-appropriate learning activities.
👶 Infant Milestones (0–12 Months)
Physical: Rolling over, sitting up, crawling
Cognitive: Recognizing faces, responding to sounds, exploring with hands and mouth
Social/Emotional: Smiling, showing attachment to caregivers, expressing different emotions
📝 Tip for Parents: Encourage tummy time and talk to your baby often to support motor and language development.
🚼 Toddler Milestones (1–3 Years)
Physical: Walking, climbing, beginning to run
Language: Saying simple words, forming short sentences, following basic instructions
Social: Playing alongside other children, showing independence, expressing preferences
📝 Tip for Parents: Read together daily and offer choices to help toddlers build confidence and vocabulary.
🧒 Preschool Milestones (3–5 Years)
Cognitive: Counting, recognizing shapes and colors, understanding time concepts
Language: Speaking in full sentences, asking questions, storytelling
Social/Emotional: Cooperative play, empathy, managing emotions
📝 Tip for Parents: Encourage imaginative play and group activities to foster social skills and creativity.
🏫 How The Nest Academy Learning Preschool Supports Development
Our curriculum is designed to nurture each child’s growth through:
Structured play and learning activities
Individual attention from experienced educators
Regular developmental assessments and parent updates
📍 Located in Alexandria VA and Lorton VA, we’re proud to be a trusted partner in your child’s early learning journey.