Baby & Toddler Development by Age (0–6): Your Complete Roadmap

Little Loving Life · 0–6 Development System

A calm, science-backed roadmap to understand behavior through development — from newborn to school age.

💗 This page is the “home base” of Little Loving Life. Every guide on emotions, sleep, sensory behavior, feeding, language, and routines links back to this development roadmap — covering birth through age 6.

Pregnancy

Prep without panic: reduce decision fatigue before baby arrives.

Stage

Essentials & Planning

Pregnancy essentials checklist Foods to avoid during pregnancy Budgeting for baby (2026)

Hospital Bag

Ultimate hospital bag checklist Minimalist diaper bag essentials

Postpartum

Support the mother’s recovery so the whole family can stabilize.

Stage

Recovery Essentials

Recovery essentials guide Postnatal depletion: recovery

Mental Load & Balance

Mom burnout & mental load Mental load audit Balance in a multi-child family

Newborn Foundations

When babies feel safe, everything else gets easier.

Stage

Care & Setup

Newborn care 101 Set up a newborn station Newborn must-haves checklist Baby home safety guide Small space organization

Sleep & Feeding

Gentle newborn sleep schedule Breastfeeding basics

0–3 Months

Regulation is borrowed. Comfort builds the brain.

Age

Play & Toys

Must-have toys for 0–3 months

Foundations

Sleep schedule Essential care tips

3–6 Months

Curiosity grows. Patterns begin to form.

Age

Play & Learning

Toys for 3–6 months

Health & Care

What to do when child has a fever Sick day essentials

6–9 Months

Mobility + solids + separation awareness.

Age

First Foods

Baby’s first foods guide 100 foods before 1 checklist

Toys

Best toys for 6–9 months

9–12 Months

“I want it” arrives before “I can wait.” Attachment gets stronger.

Age

Toys & Space

Best toys for 9–12 months Toy detox for a calmer home

Home Setup

Home safety guide

12–24 Months

Big feelings + small words = big behaviors. Tantrums often rise here.

Age

Core Skills Recommended

Emotional Regulation

How to handle toddler tantrums Handle tantrums calmly Grocery store meltdowns The art of validation Why time-outs fail Stop saying “stop crying” Why “no hitting” never works

Language & Routines

Language development tips Naming feelings Morning routine cards Bedtime battles guide Screen time guide

Play & Nutrition

Independent play secrets Stop entertaining your kids Iron-rich foods (no meat) Veggie smoothies for picky eaters Read ingredient labels fast

2–3 Years

Independence grows faster than self-control. Peak season for skill-building.

Age

Brain & Sensory

Why toddlers spin Child can’t stop jumping Fine motor activities Sensory bins (18 mo+)

Potty & Transitions

Gentle potty training guide Toddler potty training basics First walking shoes guide Toddler first haircut tips

Montessori & Mindset

Kitchen activities Letters & Numbers at home Stopped forcing kids to share Stop labeling child “shy”

3–6 Years

Emotions get complex. School transitions begin. Self-regulation is still under construction.

Age

Core Skills Key Stage

Emotional Regulation (3–6)

When child screams “I hate you” Why preschoolers don’t listen After-school restraint collapse Kids don’t need you to be calm Growth mindset for frustration

Focus & Daily Life

Building focus (ages 3–6) Screen time guide (1–6) Dialogic reading tips Bedtime stalling strategies

Family Systems & Independence

Allowance & money lessons Multi-child family balance Stop fighting the sugar war Independent play secrets