TABLE 9.1: Developmental Milestones

Developmental Milestones

AgeSocial/Emotional MilestonesLanguage/Communication MilestonesCognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)Movement/Physical Development Milestones
2 monthsCalms down when spoken to or picked up; looks at your face; seems happy to see you when you walk up to her; smiles when you talk to or smile at herMakes sounds other than crying; reacts to loud soundsWatches you as you move; looks at a toy for several secondsHolds head up while on tummy; Moves both arms and both legs; Opens hands briefly
4 monthsSmiles on his own to get your attention; chuckles (not yet a full laugh) when you try to make him laugh; looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attentionMakes cooing sounds (“ooo”, “aahh”); makes sounds back when you talk to him; turns head toward the sound of your voiceIf hungry, opens mouth when he sees breast or bottle; looks at her hands with interestHolds head steady without support when you are holding him; holds a toy when you put it in his hand; uses his arm to swing at toys; brings hands to mouth; pushes up onto elbows-forearms when on tummy
6 monthsKnows familiar people; likes to look at self in a mirror; laughsTakes turns making sounds with you; blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows); makes squealing noisesPuts things in her mouth to explore them; reaches to grab a toy she wants; closes lips to show she doesn't want more foodRolls from tummy to back; ushes up with straight arms when on tummy; leans on hands to support herself when sitting
9 monthsIs shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers; shows several facial expressions, like happy, sad, angry, and surprised; looks when you call her name; reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries); smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-booMakes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa”; lifts arms up to be picked upLooks for objects when dropped out of sight (like his spoon or toy); bangs two things togetherGets to a sitting position by herself; moves things from one hand to her other hand; uses fingers to “rake” food towards himself; sits without support
12 monthsPlays games with you, like pat-a-cakeWaves “bye-bye”; calls a parent“mama” or “dada” or another special name; understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup; looks for things he sees you hide, like a toy under a blanketPulls 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 monthsCopies other children while playing, like taking toys out of a container when another child does; shows you an object she likes; claps when excited; hugs stuffed doll or other toy; shows you affection (hugs, cuddles, or kisses you)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, he gives you a toy when you hold out your hand and say,“Give me the toy.”); points to ask for something or to get helpTries to use things the right way, like a phone, cup, or book; stacks at least two small objects, like blocksTakes a few steps on his own; uses fingers to feed herself some food
18 monthsMoves 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 him by pushing arm through sleeve or lifting up footTries 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.”Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom; plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy careWalks without holding on to anyone or anything; scribbles; drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes; feeds himself with his fingers; tries to use a spoon; climbs on and off a cough or chair without help
24 monthsNotices when others are hurt or upset, like paushing or looking sad when someone is crying; looks at your face to see how to react in a new situationPoints 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 yesHolds 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 plateKicks a ball; runs; walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help; eats with a spoon
30 monthsPlays next to other children and sometimes plays with them; shows you what she 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.”Says about 50 words; says two or more words together, with one action word, like “Doggie run”; names things in a book when you point and ask, “What is this?”; says words liek “I,” “me,” or “we”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 he knows at least one color, like pointing to a red crayon when you ask, “Which one is red?”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 her
3 yearsCalms down whithin 10 minutes after you leave her, like at a childcare drop off; notices other children and joins them to playTalks 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 timeDraws a circle, when you show him how; avoids touching hot objects, like a stove, when you warn herStrings items together, like large beads or macaroni; puts on some clothes by himself, like loose pants or a jacket; uses a fork
4 yearsPretends 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 she is (place of worship, library, playground)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 her day, like “I played soccer.”; answers simple questions like “what is a coat for?” or “What is a crayon for?”Names a few colors of items; tells what comes next in a well-known story; draws a person with three or more body partsCatches a large ball most of the time; serves herself food or pours water, with adult supervision; unbuttons some buttons; holds crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb (not a fist)
5 yearsFollows 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 eatingTells a story she heard or made up with at least two events (for example, a call 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)Counts to 10; names some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them; uses words about time, like “yesterday,” “tomorrow,” “morning,” or “night”; pays attention for 5 to 10 minutes during activities (for example, during story time or making arts and crafts -- but screen time does not count); writes some letters in her name; names some letters when you point to themButtons some buttons; hops on one foot


CDC Developmental Milestones. National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last Reviewed: Dec 29, 2022. Available at cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html. Jennifer M. Zubler, Lisa D. Wiggins, Michelle M. Macias, Toni M. Whitaker, Judith S. Shaw, Jane K. Squires, Julie A. Pajek, Rebecca B. Wolf, Karnesha S. Slaughter, Amber S. Broughton, Krysta L. Gerndt, Bethany J. Mlodoch, Paul H. Lipkin; Evidence-Informed Milestones for Developmental Surveillance Tools. Pediatrics March 2022; 149 (3): e2021052138. 10.1542/peds.2021-052138.