You'll see many changes in your child during their first six years, often called the early years. All children are different and develop at different times. It's an exciting time to watch them grow and develop in the following ways:
- Cognitive – how they take in information around them
- Emotional – how they feel and move through their feelings
- Language – how they learn words and voice their needs
- Physical – how their body grows and moves using their brain, muscles, and senses to help them learn new skills
- Social – how they build relationships and read social cues of others
Learn more at HealthLink BC:
- Growth and development ages 1 to 12 months
- Growth and development ages 12 to 24 months
- Growth and development ages 2 to 5 years
If you have questions or feel worried about your child’s progress or milestones, support is available. Explore the resources below to find the best option for your family. More information about child development services in your community is available at your local health unit.
If you know of an event in your community that supports child development and would like Northern Health involved, email us at HealthyStart@northernhealth.ca.
Healthy child development
Cognitive development is how kids learn to understand the world around them. This includes reading, writing, and counting. It also means making good choices, thinking carefully, solving problems, and regulating their feelings. Another important part is learning to express their needs and wants properly. From a child's view, the best education is through play.
For information on your child’s cognitive development and to find support available in Northern BC, explore the sections below:
- Cognitive development, ages 1 to 12 months – HealthLink BC
- Cognitive development, ages 12 to 24 months – HealthLink BC
- Literacy matters – Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation
- Read, speak, sing to your baby: How parents can promote literacy from birth – Canadian Paediatric Society
- Stimulate your baby's learning – HealthLink BC
- Your child and play from birth to 3 years - HealthLink BC
Emotional development means a child can manage their feelings in a way that is expected for their age. It helps them handle emotions, behaviors, and relationships with others in a healthy way. Children with good emotional skills can deal with stress, express themselves, and focus better in school. These skills also support mental health, learning, and overall happiness as they grow. Parents and caregivers play a big role in helping children with emotional development. Some ways to support them include:
- Staying calm and respectful to model good behavior
- Teaching children about emotions and how to name them
- Setting routines and clear rules
- Encouraging kind and helpful behavior, like sharing and taking turns
- Helping them practice self-control through play, stories, and mindfulness activities
For information on your child’s emotional development and to find support available in Northern BC, explore the sections below:
- Adult mental wellness (see Parent or caregiver) - Northern Health
- Emotional development Ages 2-5 years - HealthLink BC
- Feelings First: Social and emotional development – Child Health BC
- Helping your child build inner strength - HealthLink BC
- Family connections – First Nations Health Authority
- Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre: Social and emotional development - BC Children’s Hospital
Speech and language development is how children learn words and voice their needs. Talking with your child helps them grow and learn. Use words or sign language, even if they can't talk yet. Listen and let them guide the conversation. This "serve and return" interaction builds language and social skills. Copying facial expressions and sounds, singing songs, reading books, and playing games helps them build their speech and language. Check out your local public library for free early learning activities.
For information on your child’s speech and language development and to find support available in Northern BC, explore the sections below:
- ABCs for new parents – Child Health BC
- All about early literacy – Ministry of Education and Child Care
- Activities for language development – Speech and Hearing BC
- Encouraging language development in your preschooler – HealthLink BC
- List of libraries and contact information - North Central Library Federation
- Speech and language program - Northern Health
Physical development is all about how your child's body grows and learns to move. As your toddler grows, they'll get better at big movements (gross motor skills) like sitting, crawling, walking, and running. They'll also improve fine motor skills like using their hands and fingers to grab objects, hold things, and pick up food. Encouraging movement through playgroups, outdoor adventures, and safe spaces to explore helps little ones strengthen their body and coordination. Healthy eating fuels their growing bodies, while limiting screen time keeps them active. Sleep is also important. A regular bedtime routine helps little ones settle down and get the rest they need to grow and recharge. By creating regular opportunities for physical activity and balanced meals and healthy choices, caregivers help toddlers build strong bodies.
For information on your child’s physical development and to find support available in Northern BC, explore the sections below:
- Appetite to play: Healthy eating and physical activity in the early years – Child Health BC
- Build a bedtime routine – Kelty Mental Health
- Go play outside! An outside play tool for parents and caregivers - Outside Play Lab
- Introduction to physical activity | HealthLink BC - HealthLink BC
- Physical activity and physical literacy: Early years (0-4) - HealthLink BC
- Physical development 101: A guide to gross and fine motor skills in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers - Active for Life
- Play today: A guide for families - Province of British Columbia
Social development is all about how children learn to connect with others. These skills help them make friends and build trust, setting them up for healthy relationships as they grow. Parents and caregivers can help by encouraging play, offering gentle guidance on how to interact, and responding warmly to behaviour. With love, patience, and positive encouragement, caregivers help young children build the social skills they need to thrive!
For information on your child’s social development and to find support available in Northern BC, explore the sections below:
- 5 steps to practice serve and return interactions – Center on the Developing Child Harvard
- Family connections – National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health
- Feelings first: Social and emotional development – Child Health BC
Child development support types
Child development support in your community
If you know of child development supports in your community that aren’t listed here, or notice any incorrect information, please email us at HealthyStart@northernhealth.ca.
Featured resources
- Appetite to play: Healthy eating and physical activity in the early years – Child Health BC
- Baby’s best chance: Parent’s handbook of pregnancy and baby care – Provincial Health Services Authority
- Feelings first: Social and emotional development – Child Health BC
- Toddlers first steps: A best chance guide to parenting your 6-to-36-month-old child - Provincial Health Services Authority
Featured NH Stories
- Bonding with your baby
- Feelings first: Social and emotional development starts early
- First Nations books: Children’s books exploring the Northwest Coast
- Preventing child falls in the home and at play
- Sedentary behaviours: They’re not all created equal!
To learn more
- Email us at HealthyStart@northernhealth.ca
- For more information and child development supports in local First Nations communities, see Maternal, child, and family health - First Nations Health Authority (FNHA)