Growth and development are frequently associated with milestones such as walking, talking in sentences, or successful toilet learning. Parents may not be aware that each milestone requires a complex balance of growth, experience, and other factors to occur--much of it without notice. There are a variety of lists of developmental milestones that can be shared with parents, as well as articles and studies citing the importance of nurturing children's social and emotional development. The challenge is in helping parents understand how these developmental milestones translate into their child being ready to learn "and" how they support their individual child's academic success. Following are some tips for working with parents.