Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) Child Development from Birth to Five Syllabus

What language milestones are typical for a toddler between one and two years?

Vocabulary grows from a few words to around 50+ words by 24 months; begins combining two words ('more juice'); follows simple instructions; points to named body parts and pictures; rapid 'vocabulary spurt' often in second year.

Describe typical gross motor development between one and three years.

Walks independently (~12-15 months); climbs stairs with help (~18 months); runs (~2 years); kicks and throws a ball; jumps with both feet (~2-2.5 years); pedals a tricycle (~3 years).

What is parallel play and at what age is it typical?

Playing alongside other children with similar materials but without direct interaction or cooperation. It is typical of toddlers around 2-2.5 years, preceding more cooperative play.

List typical milestones for the preschool years (three to five).

Speaks in full sentences and tells stories; counts and knows colours; draws a person with several features; hops and balances on one foot; uses scissors; dresses with little help; engages in cooperative and imaginative play; toilet trained.

How does play typically progress from toddler to preschool age (Parten's stages)?

Solitary play, then onlooker, then parallel play (toddler), then associative play, and finally cooperative/organised play with shared goals and roles (preschool, ~4-5 years).

What is the difference between typical and atypical development?

Typical development follows the expected sequence and broad age range of milestones for most children. Atypical development is a significant deviation from the expected pattern - delayed, absent, or markedly different progress in one or more domains.

Why is the sequence of development considered more reliable than the rate?

Children generally pass through milestones in the same predictable order (sequence) even though the timing/rate varies between individuals. A disruption in the expected sequence is a stronger indicator of atypical development than simply being at the slower end of the normal age range.

What is developmental delay?

When a child does not reach developmental milestones within the expected age range. It may affect one domain (specific delay) or several (global developmental delay) and may be temporary or indicate an underlying condition.

List common developmental 'red flags' that warrant referral in early years.

Not smiling by ~3 months; not babbling by ~9-12 months; no words by ~16-18 months; loss of previously acquired skills (regression); not walking by ~18 months; lack of eye contact or response to name; no pointing/gestures by ~12-15 months; persistent feeding/swallowing difficulties.

What is 'regression' and why is it a significant red flag?

The loss of skills a child had previously acquired (e.g. losing words, eye contact or motor abilities). It is a serious warning sign requiring prompt referral as it can indicate a neurological or developmental disorder.

What are neurons and synapses in the developing brain?

Neurons are nerve cells that transmit information. Synapses are the connections (junctions) between neurons across which signals pass. Learning and experience build and strengthen these synaptic connections.

What is synaptogenesis and synaptic pruning?

Synaptogenesis is the rapid formation of synaptic connections, peaking in the early years (the brain forms far more connections than it needs). Synaptic pruning is the elimination of unused connections, while frequently used ones are strengthened - 'use it or lose it'.

Roughly how fast do young children's brains form synaptic connections, and what proportion of adult brain size is reached early?

In the early years the brain forms more than 1 million new neural connections per second. The brain reaches about 80-90% of its adult size by around age 3-5 years, making early experience critical.

What is myelination and why does it matter?

Myelination is the process by which nerve fibres (axons) are coated with a fatty myelin sheath, which speeds up and improves the efficiency of neural signal transmission. It supports faster motor control, coordination and cognitive processing as the child develops.

What does brain plasticity mean and how does it change with age?

Plasticity is the brain's ability to change its structure and connections in response to experience. It is greatest in early childhood, making young brains highly adaptable and shaped by experience (both positive and negative), and gradually decreases with age.

How do early experiences shape brain architecture?

Experiences (especially 'serve and return' interactions with responsive caregivers) drive the formation and strengthening of neural connections that form the brain's architecture. Rich, responsive experiences build strong foundations; deprivation or neglect weakens them.

What is 'serve and return' interaction and why is it important for brain development?

The back-and-forth responsive exchanges between a child and caregiver (e.g. a baby coos/gestures and the adult responds warmly). These reciprocal interactions build and strengthen neural connections supporting language, social and emotional development.

Define toxic stress in early childhood.

Strong, frequent or prolonged activation of the body's stress response (e.g. from chronic abuse, neglect or caregiver substance abuse) in the absence of supportive adult relationships. It can disrupt developing brain architecture and have lasting harmful effects on health and learning.

Distinguish positive, tolerable and toxic stress responses.

Positive stress: brief, mild and a normal part of development (e.g. first day at nursery). Tolerable stress: more serious but time-limited and buffered by supportive relationships. Toxic stress: prolonged adversity without protective relationships, causing lasting harm to development.

What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?

Potentially traumatic events or chronic stressors in childhood - such as abuse (physical, emotional, sexual), neglect, and household dysfunction (domestic violence, parental mental illness, substance misuse, parental separation, incarceration). Higher ACE counts are linked to poorer long-term health and developmental outcomes.

What does the ACEs research show about the relationship between ACE scores and outcomes?

There is a dose-response relationship: the higher the number of ACEs, the greater the risk of negative outcomes in later life, including chronic disease, mental illness, substance misuse and reduced life expectancy.

What buffers children against the harmful effects of adversity and ACEs?

Safe, stable and nurturing relationships with at least one consistent, responsive adult, which build resilience and buffer the stress response. Supportive environments and developing self-regulation skills also protect against toxic stress.

State two key implications of neuroscience for early years practice.

Prioritise warm, responsive relationships and 'serve and return' interactions to build brain architecture; and provide rich, stimulating, language-filled and emotionally secure environments early, since plasticity and the pace of brain development are greatest in the first years.

What is the difference between gross motor and fine motor skills?

Gross motor skills use the large muscles for whole-body movements such as sitting, crawling, walking, running and jumping. Fine motor skills use the small muscles, especially of the hands and fingers, for precise movements such as grasping, drawing and using cutlery.

What are locomotor skills? Give examples.

Gross motor skills that move the body from one place to another. Examples: crawling, walking, running, jumping, hopping, skipping, climbing and galloping.

Describe the typical progression of the grasp from birth to about twelve months.

Reflexive palmar grasp at birth; voluntary palmar (whole-hand) grasp ~4-5 months; raking grasp ~6 months; inferior pincer grasp ~8-9 months; and a neat pincer grasp (thumb and index finger) by ~10-12 months.

What is sensory integration?

The neurological process by which the brain receives, organises and interprets information from the senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, plus vestibular/balance and proprioception) so the child can respond appropriately and function effectively in their environment.

Name the two 'hidden' senses important in sensory development alongside the five basic senses.

The vestibular sense (balance and spatial orientation, from the inner ear) and proprioception (awareness of body position and movement from muscles and joints).

Why are nutrition and sleep important for early development?

Good nutrition fuels rapid brain growth, physical growth and energy for learning, and prevents deficiencies that impair development. Adequate sleep supports memory consolidation, brain development, growth (growth hormone release), emotional regulation and attention. Toddlers/preschoolers typically need around 10-13 hours of sleep per day.

What is the Healthy Child Programme and the role of the health visitor in the UK?

The Healthy Child Programme is the universal UK public health programme of screening, immunisation, developmental reviews and health/parenting support from pregnancy to age 5. Health visitors (specialist community public health nurses) lead it, carrying out checks such as the new birth visit and the 6-8 week, 9-12 month and 2-2.5 year developmental reviews to monitor development and identify concerns early.