Milestones Checklists
Written by Joseph Clem, M.Ed.
This article does not constitute professional advice or services. All opinions and commentary of the author are his own and are not endorsed by any governing bodies, licensing or certifying boards, companies, or any third-party.
What are milestones?
Milestones are a universal, helpful tool for gauging progress. They are used in business plans, video games, personal fitness, and in the development of a person. Milestones often build off of one another, such as how you build with blocks – one on top of the other. In terms of human development, skills can lead to more skills, knowledge can lead to more knowledge, and healthy relationships can lead to more healthy relationships.
What if my child does not meet a milestone?
Not everyone develops at the same time in the same way. However, if a child is not achieving milestones by certain ages, then it is reasonable to seek out an evaluation from the appropriate professional. Also, it may be an opportunity for you to more intentionally teach your child the skill that he or she has not demonstrated yet. Parents are the primary teachers of their children so you are the best, first line of defense to prevent developmental delays and psycho-spiritual delays.
How do I help my child achieve a milestone?
If the milestone is something that is typically achieved within your child’s current age-range, then be patient and do your best to patiently teach him or her.
If the milestone is something that seems to be missing as he or she enters the next age-range, then it may be advisable to seek out a professional, especially at earlier stages (ages 0 - 5 years old).
Strategies for helping a child at each stage will be offered in later issues of the TFC Series. The milestones described in this issue are a starting point to be more aware of how our children develop across intellect, will, and affection. Also, each milestone has been connected to a relevant component of TFC Theory, so this is not an exhaustive list of all milestones. Be sure to bring your child to the recommended check-ups.
Some of the milestones seem to relate to future stages or previous stages of TFC Theory. Why is that?
Truth, Freedom, & Care (TFC) Theory recapitulates and foreshadows, meaning that the stages necessarily involve revisiting aspects of an earlier stage (recapitulation) and involve working on the aspects of future stages (foreshadowing). Beyond TFC Theory, one can see that all developmental stage theories have an age range, acknowledging that no one magically advances to the next stage at midnight on his or her birthday. We need to appreciate the fluidity of development while not ignoring that there is a significant difference between a two-year old and a 12-year old.
There is nothing about a relationship with God, holiness, or the spiritual life until Stage 6 (ages 15-18)? Shouldn’t we be supporting these things before that age range?
Yes. You should absolutely be supporting growth in faith, hope, and love across all stages, even before your child develops language by providing the “smells and bells” of life as a Catholic Christian. The reason the ideals are not given until Stage 6 is because this resource does not currently examine how to customize catechetical formation, liturgical formation, spiritual formation, etc. for younger age groups. There are other resources that recommend activities to younger age groups, such as The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Instead, these TFC Milestones focus primarily on the intersection of secular psychological development with the soul’s operations of the intellect, will, and heart as they approach ultimate values of truth, freedom, and care and predispose a child to receive faith, hope, and love as gifts from God.
MILESTONES CHECKLISTS
Click the button below for a sample of the milestones checklist (PDF) for Stage One (0-2 years old) and Stage Two (2-5 years old). This is being made free in order to encourage parents and others to more quickly identify healthy psycho-spiritual development and possible concerns which would require seeking out professional advice from a pediatrician, psychologist, or other qualified professional.
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A milestones checklist (PDF) for Stage One (0-2 years old) through Stage Six (15-18 years old)
Click the button below for the milestones checklist for Stages One (0-2 years old) through Stage Six (15-18 years old). Thank you for your support!