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Developmental Milestones

Family
Supporting My Child's Development

What should my child be doing?

The term “developmental milestones” refers to things most children can do by a certain age, like smiling for the first time, taking their first step, or waving “bye bye.” You see milestones every day when playing, talking, and interacting with your children. Every child is different, and all children develop at their own pace. Some will reach milestones slightly late or early. However, if you track your child’s development, it can provide clues about how your child is developing. This shows areas where they are excelling and areas in which they may need additional support.

Tracking a child’s milestones gives families the chance to catch early signs of possible developmental delays.

Tracking milestones helps you to…

  • Understand your child’s developmental progress
  • Identify moments to delight in your child’s growth
  • Determine if your child needs extra support with a certain skill
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Early Screening

CDC Milestones by Age

Learn more about what to expect at each stage of development using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Act Early resources.

Two Months

Social and Emotional

  • Calms down when spoken to or picked up
  • Looks at your face
  • Seems happy to see you when you walk up to them
  • Smiles when you talk to or smile at them

Language/Communication

  • Makes sounds other than crying
  • Reacts to loud sounds

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Watches you as you move
  • Looks at a toy for several seconds

Movement / Physical Development

  • Holds head up when on tummy
  • Moves both arms and both legs
  • Opens hands briefly

Four Months

Social and Emotional

  • Smiles on their own to get your attention
  • Chuckles (not yet a full laugh) when you try to make her laugh
  • Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention

Language/Communication

  • Makes sounds like “oooo”, “aahh” (cooing)
  • Makes sounds back when you talk to them
  • Turns head towards the sound of your voice

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • If hungry, opens mouth when they see breast or bottle
  • Looks at their hands with interest

Movement / Physical Development

  • Holds head steady without support when you are holding them
  • Holds a toy when you put it in their hand
  • Uses their arm to swing at toys
  • Brings hands to mouth
  • Pushes up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy

Six Months

Social and Emotional

  • Knows familiar people
  • Likes to look at self in a mirror
  • Laughs

Language/Communication

  • Takes turns making sounds with you
  • Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
  • Makes squealing noises

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Puts things in their mouth to explore them
  • Reaches to grab a toy that they want
  • Closes lips to show they don’t want more food

Movement / Physical Development

  • Rolls from tummy to back
  • Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
  • Leans on hands to support themselves when sitting

Nine Months

Social and Emotional

  • Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers
  • Shows several facial expressions, like happy, sad, angry, and surprised
  • Looks when you call their name
  • Reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries)
  • Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo

Language/Communication

  • Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa”
  • Lifts arms up to be picked up

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like their spoon or toy)
  • Bangs two things together

Movement / Physical Development

  • Gets to a sitting position by themselves
  • Moves things from one hand to their other hand
  • Uses fingers to “rake” food towards themselves
  • Sits without support

12 Months

Social and Emotional

  • Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake

Language/Communication

  • Waves “bye-bye”
  • Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name
  • Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup
  • Looks for things they see you hide, like a toy under a blanket

Movement / Physical Development

  • Pulls up to stand
  • Walks, holding on to furniture
  • Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it
  • Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food

15 Months

Social and Emotional

  • Copies other children while playing, like taking toys out of a container when another child does
  • Shows you an object they like
  • Claps when excited
  • Hugs stuffed doll or other toy
  • Shows you affection (hugs, cuddles, or kisses you)

Language/Communication

  • Tries to say one or two words besides “mama” or “dada,” like “ba” for ball or “da” for dog
  • Looks at a familiar object when you name it
  • Follows directions given with both a gesture and words. For example, they give you a toy when you hold out your hand and say, “Give me the toy.”
  • Points to ask for something or to get help

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Tries to use things the right way, like a phone, cup, or book
  • Stacks at least two small objects, like blocks

Movement / Physical Development

  • Takes a few steps on their own
  • Uses fingers to feed themselves some food

18 Months

Social and Emotional

  • Moves away from you, but looks to make sure you are close by
  • Points to show you something interesting
  • Puts hands out for you to wash them
  • Looks at a few pages in a book with you
  • Helps you dress them by pushing arm through sleeve or lifting up foot

Language/Communication

  • Tries to say three or more words besides “mama” or “dada”
  • Follows one-step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, “Give it to me.”

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom
  • Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car

Movement / Physical Development

  • Walks without holding on to anyone or anything
  • Scribbles
  • Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes
  • Feeds themselves with their fingers
  • Tries to use a spoon
  • Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help

Two Years

Social and Emotional

  • Notices when others are hurt or upset, like pausing or looking sad when someone is crying
  • Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation

Language/Communication

  • Points to things in a book when you ask, like “Where is the bear?”
  • Says at least two words together, like “More milk.”
  • Points to at least two body parts when you ask him to show you
  • Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Holds something in one hand while using the other hand; for example, holding a container and taking the lid off
  • Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons on a toy
  • Plays with more than one toy at the same time, like putting toy food on a toy plate

Movement / Physical Development

  • Kicks a ball
  • Runs
  • Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help
  • Eats with a spoon

30 Months

Social and Emotional

  • Plays next to other children and sometimes plays with them
  • Shows you what they can do by saying, “Look at me!”
  • Follows simple routines when told, like helping to pick up toys when you say, “It’s clean-up time.”

Language/Communication

  • Says about 50 words
  • Says two or more words, with one action word, like “Doggie run”
  • Names things in a book when you point and ask, “What is this?”
  • Says words like “I,” “me,” or “we”

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Uses things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll as if it were food
  • Shows simple problem-solving skills, like standing on a small stool to reach something
  • Follows two-step instructions like “Put the toy down and close the door.”
  • Shows they know at least one color, like pointing to a red crayon when you ask, “Which one is red?”

Movement / Physical Development

  • Uses hands to twist things, like turning doorknobs or unscrewing lids
  • Takes some clothes off by himself, like loose pants or an open jacket
  • Jumps off the ground with both feet
  • Turns book pages, one at a time, when you read to them

Three Years

Social and Emotional

  • Calms down within 10 minutes after you leave her, like at a child care drop off
  • Notices other children and joins them to play

Language/Communication

  • Talks with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges
  • Asks “who,” “what,” “where,” or “why” questions, like “Where is mommy/daddy?”
  • Says what action is happening in a picture or book when asked, like “running,” “eating,” or “playing”
  • Says first name, when asked
  • Talks well enough for others to understand, most of the time

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Draws a circle, when you show them how
  • Avoids touching hot objects, like a stove, when you warn them

Movement / Physical Development

  • Strings items together, like large beads or macaroni
  • Puts on some clothes by themselves, like loose pants or a jacket
  • Uses a fork

Four Years

Social and Emotional

  • Pretends to be something else during play (teacher, superhero, dog)
  • Asks to go play with children if none are around, like “Can I play with Alex?”
  • Comforts others who are hurt or sad, like hugging a crying friend
  • Avoids danger, like not jumping from tall heights at the playground
  • Likes to be a “helper”
  • Changes behavior based on where they are (place of worship, library, playground)

Language/Communication

  • Says sentences with four or more words
  • Says some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme
  • Talks about at least one thing that happened during his day, like “I played soccer.”
  • Answers simple questions like “What is a coat for?” or “What is a crayon for?”

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Names a few colors of items
  • Tells what comes next in a well-known story
  • Draws a person with three or more body parts

Movement / Physical Development

  • Catches a large ball most of the time
  • Serves themselves food or pours water, with adult supervision
  • Unbuttons some buttons
  • Holds crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb (not a fist)

Five Years

Social and Emotional

  • Follows rules or takes turns when playing games with other children
  • Sings, dances, or acts for you
  • Does simple chores at home, like matching socks or clearing the table after eating

Language/Communication

  • Tells a story they heard or made up with at least two events; for example, a cat was stuck in a tree and a firefighter saved it
  • Answers simple questions about a book or story after you read or tell it to him
  • Keeps a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges
  • Uses or recognizes simple rhymes (bat-cat, ball-tall)

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Counts to 10
  • Names some numbers between one and five when you point to them
  • Uses words about time, like “yesterday,” “tomorrow,” “morning,” or “night”
  • Pays attention for five to 10 minutes during activities; for example, during story time or making arts and crafts (screen time does not count)
  • Writes some letters in their name
  • Names some letters when you point to them

Movement / Physical Development

  • Buttons some buttons
  • Hops on one foot
Act early!

Concerned about your child’s development?

As a parent, you know your child best. If your child is not meeting the milestones for their age, or if you think there could be a problem with the way your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves, talk to your child’s doctor and share your concerns. Don’t wait. Acting early can make a real difference!

  • Complete a milestone checklist for your child’s age via the CDC website or the milestones tracker app.

  • Read the tip sheet How to Get Help for Your Child for steps you can take to help you act on developmental concerns.

  • Ask your child’s doctor about developmental screening. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be screened for general development using standardized, validated tools at nine, 18, or 30 months and for autism at 18 and 24 months or whenever a parent or provider has a concern.

  • Ask the doctor for a referral to a specialist who can do a more in-depth evaluation of your child, if you or the doctor think there might be a delay,

  • Call to request a free evaluation to find out if your child qualifies for intervention services at the same time as you ask the doctor for a referral to a specialist. If your child is younger than three years old, contact First Steps, Indiana’s early intervention program. If your child is age three or older, call any local public elementary school (even if your child does not go to school there) and say: “I have concerns about my child’s development and I would like to have my child evaluated through the school system for preschool special education services.”

Play and Learning

Families can learn more!

Families can learn more about early learning and get ideas for fun activities to promote development. Visit our play and learning pages to discover more.

 

blocks
Play and Learning Activities

Infant and Toddler

Explore hands-on play ideas to support your developing baby!

Read More

bicycle icon
Play and Learning Activities

Preschool and School-Age

From STEM to outdoor play, explore our hands-on resources to supporting play at home.

Read More

Act Early!

From birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how he plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves. Track your child’s development and act early if you have a concern.
Learn More
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Featured Video

What Should My Child Be Doing? A Parent's Guide to Developmental Milestones

Learn more about what milestones you should be expecting for your child and discover free tools available for tracking your child's development.

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All children accomplish milestones in their own way, in their own time.
Magda Gerber

Developmental Milestones Video Series

Supporting infant-toddler development

There’s a lot happening during playtime. Little ones are lifting, dropping, looking, pouring, bouncing, hiding, building, knocking down, and more. Through play experiences, infants and toddlers practice new skills, explore their imagination and creativity, and learn about other people.

baby milestones video
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Supporting Your Baby’s Development (0-6 months)

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Supporting Your Baby’s Development (6-12 months)

toddler development
play button

Supporting Your Toddler's Development

Supporting preschool and school-age development

Play is not only critical to healthy brain development, but it’s also how children learn to engage with and respond to others. It allows them to use their creativity, develop their imagination, and strengthen their critical thinking.

preschool development
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Understanding your Preschooler’s Development

social emotional school age
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Social Emotional Development for your School Ager

desarrollo cognitivo piaget
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Explicado: El Desarrollo Cognitivo de su Hijo/a

Related News & Stories

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February 4, 2022
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January 11, 2022
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Count on our newsletters to get you the most important early care and education news, when you need it. We send a different newsletter each month to either families, child care professionals, or communities/employers. Sign up for one or all today!

“Learn the Signs. Act Early.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, February 23, 2022.

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