Developmental Milestones

1 month Gross Motor Skill

Head lag (head hanging back when lifted)

1 month Fine Motor Skill

Clenched fists – strong grasp reflex

1 month Language Milestone

Fixates on objects

1 month Social and Cognitive Development

Feels safe with caregiver

2-3 months Gross Motor Skill

Holds head on shoulders

2-3 months Fine Motor Skill

Opened hand (grasp reflex disappears)

2-3 months Language Development

Makes sounds and interacts

2-3 months Social and Cognitive Development

Interacts with familiar faces

4 months Gross Motor Skill

No head lag, rolling from back to side

4 months Fine Motor Skill

Grasps with two hands

4 months Language Milestone

Laughs and squeals

4 months Social and Cognitive Development

Soothing and imitating

5-6 months Gross Motor Skill

Able to roll over

5 months Fine Motor Skill

Palmar grasp – grasping without the thumb

6 months Fine Motor Skill

Holds bottle

5-6 months Language Development

Babbles and responds to name

5-6 months Concerns

Separation anxiety begins

7-8 months Gross Motor Skill

Can sit forward with hands bearing weight, then unsupported

7-8 months Fine Motor Skill

Transfers objects and starting to use pincer

7-8 months Language Development

Strings babbling

7-8 months Social and Cognitive Development

Continuation of separation anxiety

9 months Gross Motor Skill

Can pull up on something to stand, and can ‘creep’/crawl

9 months Fine Motor Skill

Crude pincer grasp

9 months Language Development

Responds to name

9 months Social and Cognitive Development

Purposeful play

9 months Concerns

Report if not babbling

10 months Gross Motor Skill

Can prone to sit

10 months Fine Motor Skill

Grasp rattle handle

10 months Language Development

Makes sounds and mimics gestures

10 months Social and Cognitive Development

Plays peek-a-boo and understands

11 months Gross Motor Skill

Can walk with hands on object

11 months Fine Motor Skill

Neat pincer grasp

11 months Language Development

Understands yes and no

11 months Social and Cognitive Development

Object permanence

12 months Gross Motor Skill

Can walk holding someone's hand

12 months Fine Motor Skill

Can build a 2-block tower

12 months Concerns

Concern of SIDS until 1 year – unknown cause, pacifier can help

12-15 months Gross Motor Skill

Walks unassisted and can creep up stairs

12-15 months Fine Motor Skill

Points with index finger, uses cup well, can feed themselves finger foods

12-15 months Language Development

Understands words without context, communicates desires

12-15 months Social and Cognitive Development

First words, looks at adults while communicating

18 months Gross Motor Skill

Throws a ball overhand, pulls toys while walking, jumps in place, run clumsily

18 months Fine Motor Skill

Manages a spoon, can stack 3-4 blocks

18 months Language Development

Understands the word ‘no’, can sometimes answer 'what is this' – uses 5-20 words

18 months Concerns

Concerned if not walking, not speaking 15 words

24 months Gross Motor Skill

Can kick a ball, walk up and down stairs (both feet on each stair)

24 months Fine Motor Skill

Builds a tower of 6 or 7 blocks

24 months Language Development

Uses 50-300 words, 2-3 word sentences

24 months Social and Cognitive Development

Separation anxiety may re-emerge

30-36 months Gross Motor Skill

Jump across floor and off chairs, stand on one foot and on tip toes

30-36 months Fine Motor Skill

Good hand-finger coordination, can draw circles

30-36 months Language Development

Understands most sentences, can follow a 3 part command – 1,000 words by 3 years

30-36 months Concerns

Concerned if having difficulty with stairs, falling frequently.

3-4 years Gross Motor Skill

Ride a tricycle, alternate feet going up and down stairs

3-4 years Fine Motor Skill

Dressing independently, drawing circles, squares, tracing letters

3-4 years Language Development

Speaks in complete sentences with grammar, asks a lot of questions

5 years Gross Motor Skill

Stands on one foot 10 seconds or longer.

5 years Fine Motor Skill

Printing some letters, uses fork, spoon, and knife.

5 years Language Development

Speech should be completely intelligible, can count to 10.

6-12 years Gross Motor Skill

Slow progressive physical growth, increase in coordination.

6-12 years Language Development

Possesses ability to read – improves with exposure.

12-18 years Gross Motor Skill

Develop endurance, speed, and accuracy.

12-18 years Social and Cognitive Development

Want to be autonomous and avoid shame from peers.

12-18 years Concerns

Safety risk education is important; physical injuries are leading cause of death.

Concerns for Ages 1-3

Period of intense exploration, need for safety precautions.

Concerns for Ages 3-6

Tend to be reckless – ideal age to teach about safety.

Concerns for Ages 6-12

ADHD may emerge, characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Concerns for Ages 12-18

Self-esteem tied to body image, suicide risk.