7. Development in childhood follows a fairly predictable path and timetable, which is why doctors and child experts utilize developmental milestones to help determine if a child's growth is on track. However, it is also important to note that there is quite a bit of variability in when kids reach these milestones. Just because a child has not quite reached a particular milestone such as walking or talking as early as some of his peers does not mean that there is a problem or that the child's development is not normal.