Developmental Milestones in Children: A Comprehensive Review

AbstractEarly childhood development is a dynamic and multifactorial process encompassing physical growth, neuro development, cognition, language acquisition, and socio-emotional maturation. Developmental milestones serve as structured indicators of a child’s functional progress and provide an essential framework for early identification of developmental delays. In pediatric dentistry, understanding these milestones is critical for delivering age-appropriate, behaviorally informed, and preventive oral healthcare. This review article synthesizes contemporary evidence on child developmental milestones, screening tools, reflex integration, and influencing biological, environmental, and psychosocial factors. Emphasis is placed on the relevance of developmental surveillance to pediatric dental practice, highlighting the role of dentists in early identification, parental counseling, and interdisciplinary referral.