Developmental milestones
Developmental milestones are approximate age-linked skills across several domains; the clinically important task is to assess the child's trajectory, pattern and examination, then act promptly on regression, sustained developmental arrest or guideline-defined referral thresholds.
Definition
Developmental milestones are observable, age-linked skills acquired across gross motor, fine motor and vision, hearing and communication, and social, emotional, behavioural and adaptive domains. They are approximate anchors used within longitudinal developmental surveillance, not isolated pass-fail tests.
First principles
Surveillance is longitudinal, not a one-off checklist
Developmental surveillance combines parental concerns, repeated observation, history, examination and information from health visiting and early-years settings. A screening questionnaire can structure that process, but it does not diagnose developmental delay and must not replace a clinically informed assessment.
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