Developmental Milestones

2 months social-emotional

Calms down when spoken/picked up.

Looks at your face.

Seems happy to see you when you walk up.

Smiles when you talk.

2 months communicative

Makes sounds other than crying.

Reacts to loud sounds.

2 months cognitive

Watches you as you move.

Looks at a toy for several seconds.

2 months physical

Lifts head and chest during tummy time.

Moves both arms/legs.

Opens and shuts hands. Can briefly bring their hands together.

4 months social-emotional

Smiles on his own to get attention.

Chuckles (not yet a full laugh).

Looks, moves, or makes sounds to get/keep your attention (e.g., more so when upset).

4 months communicative

Turns head towards the sound of voices.

Makes cooing sounds like “oooo” & “aahh”.

Makes sounds back when being talked to.

4 months cognitive

If hungry, will open their mouth when seeing the bottle/breast.

Looks at their hands with interest.

4 months physical

Supports self on elbows/forearms during tummy time.

Rolls from tummy to back.

Holds head steady without support when being held.

Holds a toy in their hands. Uses arms to swing at toys.

Brings hands to mouth.

6 months social/emotional

Knows familiar people.

Likes to look at self in mirror.

Laughs.

6 months communicative

Takes turns making sounds like "ga," "ma," or "ba".

Blows "raspberries" (sticks tongue out and blows).

Makes squealing noises

6 months cognitive

Put things in their mouth to explore them.

Reaches to grab a toy.

Closes lips when no longer wants more food.

6 months physical

Rolls from back to tummy.

Pushes up with straight arms during tummy time.

Leans on hands for support when sitting (tripod).

9 months social/emotional

Shy, clingy, fearful around strangers.

Shows several facial expressions (e.g., happy, sad, angry, surprised).

Turns consistently when their name is called.

Reacts when you leave (e.g., looks around, reaches out, or cries).

Smiles/laughs during peek-a-boo.

9 months communicative

Makes a lot of different sounds like “Dadadada” or “Mamamama”.

Lifts arms up to be picked up.

9 months cognitive

Let’s go of objects intentionally; then, looks for dropped objects out of sight like a spoon/toy on the floor (object permanence).

bangs two things/objects together.

9 months physical

Sits well without parental support.

Crawls, abdomen off floor.

Moves things from one hand to the other hand.

Uses fingers to “rake” food towards their mouth (gross pincer grasp). Feeds self.

Uses fingers to “rake” food towards their mouth (gross pincer grasp). Feeds self.

12 months social/emotional

Plays games with you (e.g., pat-a-cake).

12 months communicative

Waves “bye-bye”.

Calls parent “Dada” or “Mama” or another special name specifically.

Understands “no” (pauses briefly/stops when you say it).

Three to five words with meaning by age

1 year.

12 months cognitive

Looks for hidden objects (e.g., a toy under a blanket).

Drops an object in a container (e.g., a block in a cup).

12 months physical

Pulls up to stand.

Walks holding on to furniture (cruising).

Sits from standing position.

Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it.

Picks up small object/small bits of food with thumb and pointer finger (fine pincer grasp).

15 months social/emotional

Copies other children during play.

Shows you an object they like.

Clap hands when excited.

Hugs stuffed doll or another toy.

Shows you affection (e.g., hugs, cuddles, kisses).

15 months communicative

Tries to say 1 or 2 words besides “Dada” or “Mama”, like “ba” for ball and “da” for dog (own jargon).

Looks at familiar objects when named.

Follows directions given with a gesture and words (e.g., gives you the toy when you hold out your hand and say, “give me the toy”.

Points to ask for something or get help.

15 months cognitive

Tries to use things/objects right away (e.g., phone, cup, book).

Stacks at least 2 small objects (e.g., blocks).

15 months physical

Takes a few steps on their own.

Uses fingers to feed themselves some food (more independently).

18 months social/emotional

Moves away but looks to make sure parent is close by.

Points to show you something interesting.

Looks at a few book pages.

Put hands out for you to wash them.

Help parents dress them by pushing arm through sleeve/lifting foot.

18 months communicative

Tries to say 3 or more words besides “Mama or “Dada”.

Follows one-step directions without any gestures (e.g., gives you the toy when you say, “give it to me”.

18 months cognitive

Copies parents doing chores (e.g., sweeping with a broom).

Plays with toys in a simple way (e.g., pushes a toy car).

18 months physical

Walks alone unsupported.

Climbs on/off a couch or chair without help.

Scribbles. Tries to use a cup.

2 years social emotional

Notices when others are hurt or upset (e.g., pausing/looking sad when someone is crying).

Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation.

2 years communicative

Points to things in a book when asked (e.g., points to bear after asked “where is the bear?”)

Says sentences with at least 2 words together (e.g., “more milk”).

Points to at least 2 body parts when you ask.

Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing (e.g., blowing a kiss, nodding yes/no).

2 years cognitive

Holds something in one hand while using the other hand (e.g., holding a container and taking the lid off).

Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons on a toy.

Plays with more than 1 toy at the same time (e.g., puts toy food on a toy plate).

2 years physical

Scoop well with spoon.

Kick a ball.

Runs with coordination.

Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help.

2.5 year social emotional

Plays alongside other children (i.e. parallel play).

Tries to get parent to watch by saying, “Look at me!”

Follows simple routines when told (e.g., picking up toys when you say, “clean-up time”.

2.5 years communicative

Says about 50 words.

Says 2 or more words together with one action word like “doggie run”.

Names things in a book when you points and ask, “what is this?”

Uses pronouns correctly like “I”, “me”, “we”.

2.5 years cignitive

Uses things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll as if it were food.

Simple problem-solving skills (e.g., standing on a small stool to reach for something on the counter).

Follow two-step instructions like "put the toy down and close the door".

Knows at least 1 color.

2.5 years physical

Takes off some clothing independently (e.g., loose paints/open jacket).

Uses hands to twist things (e.g., turning doorknobs/unscrewing lids).

Jumps off the ground with both feet.

Turns book pages, one at a time.

3 years social-emotional

Calms down within 10 minutes after being dropped off (e.g., childcare).

Shares with other children.

3 years communicative

Uses 3-word sentences. Talks with you in conversation using at least 2 back-and-forth exchanges.

Says first name when asked.

Asks “w” questions (e.g., “where is mommy/daddy?”

Speaks in words that are 75% understandable to strangers.

Says what action is happening in a book/picture/TV (e.g., “running”, “eating”, playing”).

3 years cognitive

Draws a circle when shown how.

Avoids touching hot objects, like a stove, when warned not to do so.

Understands simple prepositions (e.g., on, under).

3 years physical

Strings items together, like large beads or macaroni.

Put on some clothes independently, like loose pants or jacket.

Cuts with child scissors.

Learning to pedal a tricycle.

Bends over without falling.

4 years social-emotional

Engages in well-developed imaginative play (e.g., pretends to be someone/something else like a teacher, superhero, dog, etc.).

Asks to go play with children even if none are around (e.g., “can I play with Alex?”).

Comforts others who are hurt/sad (e.g., hug)

Avoids danger, like not jumping from heights at the playground.

Likes to be a “helper”.

Changes behavior based on location (e.g., place of worship, library, playground, home, etc.).

4 years communicative

Says sentences with 4 or more words.

Uses words that are 100% intelligible to strangers.

Answer simple questions like “What do you do when you are cold?”, “What is a coat for?”.

Says some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme (e.g., “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”).

Talks about at least one thing that happened during the day (e.g., “I played soccer”.

4 years cognitive

Names a few colors of items.

Tells what comes next in a well-known story.

Draws a person with 3 or more body parts.

Draws simple cross and other recognizable pictures.

4 years physical

Catches a large ball most of the time, throws ball overhand.

Serves themselves food or pours water, with adult supervision.

Unbuttons & buttons medium-sized buttons.

Climbs stairs, alternating feet without support.

Grasps pencil with thumb and fingers instead of fist.

Brushes teeth with supervision.

5 years social-emotional

Follow simple directions, rules, and takes turns when playing games with other children.

Sings, dances, or acts.

Does simple chores at home, like matching socks or clearing the table after eating

5 years communicative

Has good articulation/language skills. Keeps a conversation going with more than 3 back-and-forth exchanges.

Tells a story they heard or made up with at least two events (e.g., “a cat was stuck in a tree and a firefighter saved it”.)

Answers simple questions about a book or story is told.

Uses or recognizes simple rhymes (e.g., bat-cat, ball-tall).

5 years cognitive

Can count to 10; name some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them.

Uses words about time, like “yesterday”, “morning”, etc.

Pays attention for 5-10 minutes during activities (e.g., story time and arts/crafts; screen time does not count).

Write some letters of their name. Names some letters when you point to them.

5 years physical

Balances and hops on one foot.

May skip or do somersaults.

May learn to skate or swim.

Dresses and undresses with minimal assistance.