How Relationships Support Children’s Development

Young children are best able to learn and grow when they have stable and loving relationships with adults. That’s because the relationships and experiences a child has in the first years of life—positive or negative—impact how the brain develops.

Children feel secure to learn and explore the world around them when they have stable and loving relationships with the adults in their lives. This includes their parents, family members, child care providers, and others.

Strong relationships with adults help children feel safe. When they trust the adults around them, children feel confident that their needs will be met. This allows children to focus on learning. It also provides a strong foundation for mental health throughout life.

The Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines

Are you interested in learning about the expectations for your child's development based on their age? The Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines describe the path of children’s learning and development from birth to 8 years old. Broken down by age and major milestones, the guidelines are a sort of map, helping parents and caregivers navigate their child's early years. Experts from across Colorado developed these guidelines to create a shared understanding and a coordinated approach to learning and development.

Curious about what your little one is thinking at this age? Wondering what you can do to help them thrive and reach their developmental milestones? Check out the guidelines using the link below.

Browse the Guidelines

Download the Guidelines Document

Spanish version

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