What do all children share in terms of their developmental process?

All children share the characteristic of following the same developmental sequence at their individual rates. This means that while there are general milestones that most children will reach, such as walking, talking, and socializing, the timing and pace at which each child accomplishes these milestones can vary widely due to a multitude of factors, including biological, environmental, and cultural influences.

Children typically follow a predictable order of development in cognitive, physical, emotional, and social domains—this sequence is consistent across various populations; however, individual children may reach these milestones at different times. For instance, some children may begin to walk at nine months, while others might not start until 15 months; yet, they will both go through similar developmental stages during that process. Understanding this allows caregivers and educators to recognize and support each child’s unique journey through development while still acknowledging the shared milestones common among all children.