Developmental Milestones

smiles when you talk to or smile at them

2 months

(social/emotional)

smiles on their own to get your attention

4 months

(social/emotional)

looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention

4 months

(social/emotional)

knows familiar people

6 months

(social/emotional)

laughs

6 months

(social/emotional)

shows several facial expressions

9 months

(social/emotional)

looks when you call their name

9 months

(social/emotional)

plays games with you (i.e. pat-a-cake)

12 months

(social/emotional)

shows you affection (i.e. hugs, cuddles, kisses)

15 months

(social/emotional)

points to show you something interesting

18 months

(social/emotional)

helps you dress them by pushing arm through sleeve or lifting up foot

18 months

(social/emotional)

looks at your face to see how you react in a new situations

24 months

(social/emotional)

shows you what they can do by saying "Look at me!"

30 months

(social/emotional)

follows simple routines when told (i.e. helps to pick up toys when you say "It's clean up time!")

30 months

(social/emotional)

notices other children and joins them to play

3 years

(social/emotional)

pretends to be something else during play

4 years

(social/emotional)

avoids danger

4 years

(social/emotional)

follows rules or takes turns when playing games with other children

5 years

(social/emotional)

reacts to loud sounds

2 months

(language/communication)

makes cooing sounds (i.e. "ooo", "ahh")

4 months

(language/communication)

makes sounds back when you talk to them

4 months

(language/communication)

turns head toward the sound of your voice

4 months

(language/communication)

blows raspberries

6 months

(language/communication)

makes squealing noises

6 months

(language/communication)

makes different sounds (i.e. "mamama", "bababa")

9 months

(language/communication)

calls parent "mama" or "dada" or other special name

12 months

(language/communication)

understands "no" and pauses briefly or stops when you say it

12 months

(language/communication)

tries to say one or two words besides "mama" or "dada"

15 months

(language/communication)

follows one-step directions without any gestures

18 months

(language/communication)

says at least two words together

24 months

(language/communication)

says about 50 words

30 months

(language/communication)

says "I", "me", "we"

30 months

(language/communication)

talks with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges

3 years

(language/communication)

talks well enough for others to understand most of the time

3 years

(language/communication)

says some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme

4 years

(language/communication)

talks about at least one thing that happened during their day

4 years

(language/communication)

keeps a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges

5 years

(language/communication)

watches you as you move

2 months

(cognitive)

looks at toy for several seconds

2 months

(cognitive)

looks at hands w/ interest

4 months

(cognitive)

puts things in their mouth to explore them

6 months

(cognitive)

bangs two things together

9 months

(cognitive)

puts something in a container

12 months

(cognitive)

looks for things they see you hide

12 months

(cognitive)

stacks at least two small objects

15 months

(cognitive)

copies you doing chores

18 months

(cognitive)

plays with toys in a simple way

18 months

(cognitive)

plays with more than one toy at the same time

24 months

(cognitive)

uses things to pretend

30 months

(cognitive)

shows simple problem-solving skills

30 months

(cognitive)

follows two-step instructions

30 months

(cognitive)

avoids touching hot objects when you warn them

3 years

(cognitive)

tells what comes next in a well-known story

4 years

(cognitive)

writes some letters in their name

5 years

(cognitive)

names some letters when you point to them

5 years

(cognitive)

holds head up when on tummy

2 months

(movement/physical development)

moves both arms and legs

2 months

(movement/physical development)

holds toy when you put it in their hand

4 months

(movement/physical development)

uses their arm to swing at toys

4 months

(movement/physical development)

brings hands to mouth

4 months

(movement/physical development)

rolls over from tummy to back

6 months

(movement/physical development)

pushes up with straight arms when on tummy

6 months

(movement/physical development)

uses fingers to "rake" food towards themself

9 months

(movement/physical development)

sits up without support

9 months

(movement/physical development)

pulls up to stand and walks while holding onto furniture

12 months

(movement/physical development)

picks things up between thumb and pointer finger

12 months

(movement/physical development)

uses fingers to feed themself some food

15 months

(movement/physical development)

walks without holding onto anyone or anything

18 months

(movement/physical development)

drinks from cup without a lid and may spill sometimes

18 months

(movement/physical development)

climbs on and off couch or chair without help

18 months

(movement/physical development)

eats with a spoon

24 months

(movement/physical development)

jumps off the ground with both feet

30 months

(movement/physical development)

strings items together

3 years

(movement/physical development)

uses a fork

3 years

(movement/physical development)

holds crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb (not a fist)

4 years

(movement/physical development)

hops on one foot

5 years

(movement/physical development)