What is meant by "developmental milestones"?

Developmental milestones refer to significant skills or behaviors that most children can typically accomplish by certain ages in their growth and development. These milestones serve as a guideline for parents and caregivers to understand the general progression of a child's physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. For instance, milestones include actions such as sitting up, walking, talking, and engaging in social interactions, which occur at expected times throughout childhood.

While other options touch upon elements important in child development, they don’t capture the essence of developmental milestones as comprehensively. The average age at which children start school pertains primarily to educational timelines rather than individual developmental achievements. Indicators of physical growth focus narrowly on physical aspects without encompassing broader developmental skills. Benchmarks for teacher evaluations relate to educational standards and performance in the school environment rather than individual children’s developmental progress. Overall, the concept of developmental milestones is essential in tracking and supporting healthy child development across various domains.