Milestones to be Ready for from 0–8 Years in Your Baby’s Life

Milestones to be Ready for from 0–8 Years in Your Baby’s Life

From the moment your little one arrives, life becomes a whirlwind of cuddles, nappies, and "what on earth am I doing?" The journey from baby to big kid is filled with so many amazing changes, it can be hard to keep track. If you’re a first-time parent or a parent to a Brady bunch, knowing what to expect as your child grows can help ease the worry and let you enjoy the ride. Here’s your Marmalade Lion guide to the key milestones to keep an eye out for from birth to eight years.

0–12 Months – The Baby Bubble

The first year is a mix of sleep deprivation, heart-melting smiles, and watching your tiny human learn to do big things.

• 0–3 months – Your baby will start to recognise your voice, track objects with their eyes, and give you their first gummy smiles. They’ll also start to lift their head during tummy time.
• 4–6 months – Get ready for giggles and rolling over! Bub might start sitting with support and grabbing toys (and your hair).
• 7–9 months – Crawling may begin, or at least some serious attempts. They’ll be babbling, clapping, and possibly showing signs of stranger anxiety.
• 10–12 months – Many bubs start pulling up to stand and may take their first steps. Words like “mumma” and “dadda” often appear around now too.

Tip – Every baby moves at their own pace. Some skip crawling entirely and go straight to walking — don’t stress!

1–2 Years – Toddler Time

Now the real fun begins. Toddlers are cheeky, curious, and always on the move.

• Walking and climbing – Once your child is up and about, they’ll try climbing everything in sight — including the dog.
• Talking – Vocabulary starts to explode from 18 months. By two, many kids can say two-word phrases like “more milk”.
• Playing – They’ll enjoy simple pretend play (feeding a teddy or talking on a toy phone) and may start playing alongside other kids (parallel play).
• Emotions – Expect big feelings and the start of the dreaded toddler tantrum.

Tip – This is a great age to introduce picture books and songs — they’ll learn heaps through repetition.

2–3 Years – Independence and Imagination

Your toddler is turning into a proper little person with their own opinions. Strong ones.

• Speech – Sentences get longer, and they’ll start asking about everything (“Why is the sky blue?” will be your new favourite question).
• Toilet training – Some kids start showing readiness signs now. Be patient — it’s a process.
• Motor skills – They’ll be running, jumping, and starting to draw basic shapes.
• Social skills – Playing with others becomes more interactive, though sharing is still a bit hit and miss.

Tip – You’re not alone if your house is a mess of crayons, blocks, and half-dressed dolls. Creativity thrives in chaos!

3–4 Years – Pre-Kindie Prep

This stage is packed with imagination, chatter, and starting to understand rules and routines.

• Imaginative play – Dress-ups, tea parties, superheroes — their imagination is in full swing.
• Language – You’ll be amazed at how well they can hold a conversation (and sometimes argue their way out of bedtime).
• Fine motor skills – Drawing people with faces, using scissors, and building more complex block towers.
• Emotional development – They’ll start showing empathy and may develop fears (like the dark or monsters).

Tip – Encourage independence by letting them pick their clothes (even if they clash) or help with simple chores.

4–5 Years – School Readiness

It’s time to start thinking about kindy or prep — yikes!

• Social skills – They’re learning how to make friends, take turns, and follow group instructions.
• Early literacy – Recognising letters, writing their name, and “reading” familiar books are all common.
• Numbers and patterns – They may start counting to 20 or more and notice shapes and sequences.
• Listening and concentration – Building the attention span to sit through a story or complete a task.

Tip – Practising routines like packing a bag or putting on shoes helps make the school transition smoother.

5–6 Years – Big School Begins

Starting school is a huge milestone — for kids and parents alike!

• Literacy – Many kids start reading simple books and writing short sentences.
• Numeracy – Adding and subtracting small numbers, sorting objects, and understanding time concepts (like “yesterday” and “tomorrow”).
• Social growth – Making best friends, learning to resolve conflicts, and growing confidence in group settings.
• Independence – Expect more responsibility, like packing lunchboxes or remembering homework.

Tip – Be patient — every child adjusts to school life differently. It’s normal to have ups and downs in the first term.

6–8 Years – The Growing Learner

By now, your child is developing their own personality, interests, and learning style.

• Academic skills – Reading becomes fluent, spelling improves, and they’ll start learning bigger maths concepts.
• Problem-solving – They’ll ask deeper questions and enjoy puzzles, board games, and experiments.
• Friendships – Friendships become more important and emotionally complex. There may be playground dramas — it’s all part of the learning curve.
• Self-awareness – They’ll start comparing themselves to others and forming opinions about their abilities.

Tip – Encourage them to try new things — sport, music, art — and remind them that making mistakes is part of learning.

The journey from baby to eight years old is packed with wonder, growth, and the occasional meltdown (from both child and parent!). While milestones give us a general idea of what to expect, remember that kids develop at their own pace — and that’s perfectly okay.

Celebrate the small wins, ask for help when you need it, and enjoy the magic of watching your little person become exactly who they’re meant to be.

If you’re ever unsure or have concerns about your child’s development, don’t hesitate to chat with your GP, child health nurse, or early childhood educator — support is always out there.