Key takeaways
- Developmental milestones are key skills and abilities that children typically achieve within certain timeframes, aligned with the five learning outcomes.
- Milestones cover four key developmental domains: physical, cognitive, language, and social-emotional development from birth to 5 years
- Educators use these milestones to plan personalised learning experiences, assess progress, and identify children who may need extra support.
- Keeping track of developmental milestones helps maintain high-quality early childhood education in line with the National Quality Standards.
What are developmental milestones?
Developmental milestones key capabilities and behaviours that most children gain within specific age ranges, like taking their first steps, learning to talk, or forging friendships.
These moments act as helpful guideposts for educators and families, showing typical progression in areas such as movement, thinking, communication, and social skills.
In the context of the EYLF, milestones aren’t treated as rigid checklists. Instead, they’re used as flexible guides that support a more holistic view of child development and align with particular learning outcomes.
The EYLF reminds us that every little one learns in their own way and at their own pace, influenced by their family, culture, and environment. Variation is normal. Some children may reach certain milestones earlier or later than others, and that’s okay.
What matters most is recognising the overall patterns of development and knowing when extra support might be helpful. This balanced approach helps ensure that every child’s learning journey is acknowledged, supported, and celebrated.
Developmental domains in early childhood
Children’s growth can be understood across key developmental domains — physical, cognitive, language, social, and emotional. Each domain builds on the others, shaping how children move, think, communicate, and relate to those around them.
Physical development
Physical development covers both gross motor and fine motor skills.
Gross motor abilities involve large body movements such as walking, running, jumping, and balancing. As children grow stronger, they build the coordination needed for more complex physical activities, from climbing to organised games.
Fine motor skills involve smaller, more precise movements like grasping, drawing, stacking blocks, or using tools. These skills depend on developing hand–eye coordination and lay the groundwork for tasks such as writing, dressing, and creating art.
Physical development also includes sensory growth and body awareness. Children learn to track moving objects with their eyes, distinguish between sounds, and explore the world through touch.
They also begin to understand where their body is in space, recognise body parts, and make sense of concepts such as up, down, in, and out.
Together, these skills support confidence in movement and active engagement in play.
Cognitive and language development
Cognitive development is about how children think, problem-solve, and make sense of their world. It begins with curiosity and trial-and-error learning, later expanding into symbolic thinking and imaginative play, where objects or actions represent something else. These experiences build the foundations for reasoning, memory, and problem-solving.
Language development moves hand-in-hand with cognition. Children first understand more than they can express, gradually moving from single words to full sentences. As their vocabulary grows, they learn to share complex ideas, ask questions, and communicate with increasing clarity.
Early literacy also emerges in this domain, as children begin to notice symbols, letters, and print, sparking an interest in books and storytelling that supports later reading and writing.
Social and emotional development
Social and emotional growth shapes how children connect with others and manage their own feelings. Strong attachments to caregivers give them a secure base from which to explore the world.
Over time, children develop skills in cooperation, turn-taking, and sharing, which are essential for building friendships and participating in group settings.
Emotional development includes learning to recognise, express, and manage feelings. Children expand their emotional vocabulary, begin to understand the emotions of others, and develop empathy.
With guidance, they also learn self-regulation — the ability to wait, adapt to changes, and manage frustration. These skills support resilience, healthy relationships, and confidence in social situations.
EYLF outcomes and developmental milestones
Milestones in various developmental domains are closely linked to five EYLF learning outcomes:
- Children have a strong sense of identity: When children feel secure and valued, they develop confidence in themselves, build positive relationships, and begin to understand who they are.
- Children are connected with and contribute to their world: As children interact with others, they learn about respect, fairness, and responsibility, and start to see the role they play in families, groups, and communities.
- Children have a strong sense of wellbeing: Wellbeing includes physical health, emotional safety, resilience, and the ability to manage feelings and challenges as they grow.
- Children are confident and involved learners: Children’s natural curiosity drives them to explore, question, and experiment, developing persistence, problem-solving skills, and a love of learning.
- Children are effective communicators: Communication takes many forms — from gestures and language to creativity, literacy, and numeracy — helping children express themselves and connect with the world around them.
These EYLF outcomes give us the bigger picture of early childhood development, helping educators and families see how everyday progress supports identity, wellbeing, confidence, and communication.
Certain milestones show the stepping stones young children typically take as they grow from infants to preschoolers:
12 to 18 months
This stage is full of firsts, from first steps to first words. Children are beginning to discover their independence while still relying on secure attachments for comfort and safety.
Their growth at this age links strongly to the EYLF outcomes, as they start to build a sense of identity, connect with the people around them, express themselves as early communicators, and develop the physical skills that support overall wellbeing.
- Physical growth: Many children take their first independent steps, develop a pincer grasp, and explore new textures. These skills build strength and body awareness, supporting their overall wellbeing.
- Cognitive development: Recognising themselves in a mirror and responding to their name reflects early self-awareness, laying foundations for a strong sense of identity.
- Language: First words and simple gestures emerge, showing the beginnings of becoming effective communicators.
- Social and emotional skills: Strong bonds with caregivers and early signs of separation confidence highlight their growing connection with others.
18 months to 2 years
Between 18 months and 2 years, children become busy explorers. Their world expands as they experiment with new movements, words, and social play.
Children begin to strengthen their identity, engage in early social interactions, and explore their surroundings intentionally. They also continue to develop their wellbeing and communication skills.
- Physical growth: Running, climbing, and using utensils build independence and coordination, encouraging both identity and wellbeing.
- Cognitive development: Pretend play and problem-solving begin, sparking curiosity and persistence — hallmarks of confident and involved learners.
- Language: Children start combining words and expanding vocabulary, giving them new ways to share thoughts and feelings as communicators.
- Social and emotional skills: Parallel play, early empathy, and reduced separation anxiety show children beginning to contribute to their world and connect with peers.
2 to 3 years
By age two to three, children show rapid development across all areas. They are refining physical skills, expanding vocabulary, and learning how to cooperate with others.
Children foster their wellbeing, become more involved learners, express themselves as growing communicators. They develop social skills that support both their identity and sense of connection with others.
- Physical growth: Jumping with both feet, climbing, and drawing simple shapes show advancing coordination that supports wellbeing.
- Cognitive development: Following two-step instructions and focusing longer on activities demonstrate growing executive function, key to being an involved learner.
- Language: Vocabulary may exceed 200 words, and children begin forming sentences, strengthening their role as effective communicators.
- Social and emotional skills: Cooperative play, empathy, and managing frustration reflect increasing connection with others and resilience in their wellbeing.
3 to 4 years
Between three and four, children’s personalities shine as they grow more independent, imaginative, and socially aware.
At this stage, children show confidence in their identity, contribute to their community through cooperative play, display resilience and wellbeing, engage as curious learners, and become more skilled communicators through language and early literacy.
- Physical growth: Ball games, climbing, and first attempts at writing or drawing with purpose highlight refined motor skills that support independence and wellbeing.
- Cognitive development: Rich pretend play, memory recall, and problem-solving show children thinking more creatively as confident learners.
- Language: Children use more complex sentences, follow multi-step instructions, and begin recognising letters and print, strengthening their journey as communicators.
- Social and emotional skills: Empathy, cultural awareness, and cooperative games show children building a strong sense of identity and contributing meaningfully to their community.
4 to 5 years
By the time children reach four to five years, they are preparing for school. This is a period of increased independence, stronger problem-solving, and more advanced social skills.
Children are now nurturing a secure identity, partaking in and respecting their world, demonstrating resilience and wellbeing, approaching challenges as confident learners, and communicating with growing clarity and creativity.
- Physical growth: Children refine their balance and coordination, riding trikes, catching balls, and beginning to form recognisable letters in writing, strengthening both independence and wellbeing.
- Cognitive development: They show persistence with puzzles and structured tasks, demonstrate early numeracy concepts like counting, and approach challenges with problem-solving strategies, reflecting the outcome of being confident and involved learners.
- Language: Storytelling skills grow, vocabulary expands rapidly, and children show stronger grasp of grammar, all of which deepen their role as effective communicators.
- Social and emotional skills: Friendships become more meaningful, cooperation improves, and children show respect for fairness and rules, highlighting their connection with others and readiness to contribute to community life.
EYLF developmental milestones and National Quality Standards
The National Quality Standard (NQS) is a guide that all childcare and early learning centres in Australia need to follow. It helps make sure children are learning well, developing new skills, and being supported to grow in positive ways.
As we’ve said before, every child develops differently. Some might learn certain skills earlier, while others may take a little longer. Still, keeping an eye on developmental milestones helps educators notice if a child may need additional support so they can step in sooner.
By weaving the principles and practices of the EYLF into everyday teaching, educators naturally support children in achieving developmental milestones and strengthen their ability to meet the National Quality Standards.
Using developmental milestones in EYLF practice
Developmental milestones become most meaningful when they are observed in everyday moments. Rather than relying on tests or formal assessments, educators watch children during free play, group activities, and daily routines.
These natural settings allow children to show what they can really do, giving educators an authentic picture of their progress.
From these observations, educators can create individualised learning plans that match each child’s stage of development.
By recognising both strengths and areas that need extra support, they can design experiences that are not only age-appropriate but also stimulating and challenging.
For example, dramatic play encourages language and social skills, block building strengthens spatial awareness and problem-solving, while art activities refine fine motor control and creativity.
Working in partnership with families is an essential part of this process. Sharing milestone observations and discussing strategies together ensures consistency between home and early childhood settings, making learning more meaningful for the child.
Milestone data also guides curriculum planning and learning environments. Educators can look at group trends to see where children may benefit from extra resources or new opportunities, then adapt the program and physical spaces to meet these needs.
This approach keeps learning environments dynamic, inclusive, and responsive to every child’s development.
Supporting children with diverse developmental patterns
Importantly, some individuals follow a different path due to disabilities, developmental differences, or unique learning needs.
Supporting these children means adjusting expectations without lowering goals. Instead of focusing on what a child can’t do, educators look for alternative signs of progress and use different ways to capture growth.
When delays are identified, early intervention is key. Acting quickly — and with a strength-based approach — ensures children get the support they need while still celebrating their abilities.
Educators can work closely with families and specialists to design personalised strategies that nurture progress in meaningful areas, as well as a sense of belonging and achievement. This may involve adapting activities, providing extra resources, or simply recognising that success looks different for each learner.
Ultimately, our goal is to create classrooms that are not only inclusive, supportive, and empowering for every child.
FAQs
How do developmental milestones under the EYLF differ from medical developmental assessments?
Developmental milestones in the EYLF focus on the whole child — their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth — and are observed in natural, play-based learning settings. They are used as fluid guides to support learning and wellbeing, rather than fixed checklists.
On the other hand, medical developmental assessments are clinical tools designed to identify delays, disorders, or specific health concerns. These assessments measure progress against standardised norms and may lead to diagnosis or referral for therapy.
In short, the EYLF looks at development through the lens of education, play, and culture, while medical assessments focus on clinical needs and interventions.
Can children achieve EYLF learning outcomes if they haven’t met all expected developmental milestones?
Yes. Under the EYLF, children can achieve learning outcomes even if they reach milestones at a different pace. The framework recognises that development isn’t linear and that every child has unique strengths, cultural influences, and learning styles.
Educators adapt experiences to meet children where they are, providing opportunities to demonstrate progress in different ways.
For example, a child may show strong communication skills through gestures, art, or storytelling, even if their spoken vocabulary is still developing.
The most important thing is that children are supported to move toward the five EYLF outcomes in ways that reflect their individuality.
How often should educators assess developmental milestones in relation to EYLF outcomes?
Educators should monitor milestones every day through play, routines, and interactions, as these natural contexts provide the most accurate view of development.
In addition to ongoing documentation, formal reviews are typically conducted every three to six months, often aligning with reporting periods.
Continuous observation, paired with periodic milestone reviews, ensures children’s growth is observed over time without interrupting their natural learning journey. Plus, concerns can be addressed early with timely support.
How do educators involve families in milestone monitoring while respecting cultural differences in child-rearing practices?
Involving families in milestone monitoring starts with open, respectful conversations about their values, expectations, and cultural traditions.
Educators can ask families what skills and behaviours they prioritise, and listen carefully to understand their perspective.
Rather than imposing a single standard, educators and families work together to create goals that honour both the EYLF outcomes and the family’s cultural approach to raising children.
This partnership helps children feel connected to both their home culture and their learning environment, while ensuring developmental progress is supported in meaningful, culturally respectful ways.
Foster your child’s development at our early years learning centre
At Juniors Journey, the EYLF guides how we support every stage of a child’s growth. By observing and celebrating developmental milestones, we design play-based experiences that nurture curiosity, build confidence, and strengthen social and emotional wellbeing.
Across our early learning centres in Gateshead, Mildura, and Eglinton, educators work closely with families to recognise each child’s unique pace of learning, ensuring milestones are met in ways that feel natural and meaningful.
Children are welcomed into safe, inclusive spaces where they feel supported to explore, connect, and thrive.
Book a tour, enrol, or get in touch with our team to find out how we can lay the foundations for a lifelong love of learning.
