Over the course of the first few years of their lives, the social interaction with their parents and caregivers, playing with other children, and exploration of their worlds are crucial to the stages in cognitive development. The results of this development show up as the ability to retain memory, acquire language, and approach the world with more advanced problem-solving skills. A look at the primary cognitive milestones can help you identify any gaps in development and help keep your baby on track.

Timeline of Cognitive Skill Milestones

Cognitive Skills Development at 2 Months Old

• Shows interest in others’ faces
• Starts to follow objects with eyes
• Begins to identify familiar faces at a greater distance
• May fuss when activities do not change in order to increase external stimulation

Cognitive Skills Development at 4 Months Old

• Alerts parents or caregivers as to whether they are happy or sad
• Responds to affection
• Reaching for a desired object with one hand
• Uses hands and eyes together to try to reach for a desired object
• Starts to follow objects from side to side using eyes
• Watches others’ faces closely
• Identifies familiar faces and favorite objects at a greater distance

Cognitive Skills Development at 6 Months Old

• Brings toys or objects to mouth
• Looks around for toy or desired object
• Demonstrates curiosity about objects
• Reaching for desired objects that are out-of-reach
• Starts to pass toys from one hand to the other

Cognitive Skills Development at 9 Months Old

• Use eyes to follow the direction of an object as it falls
• Starts playing peek-a-boo
• Looks for items parents or caregivers hide
• Puts things in mouth
• Transfers objects smoothly from one hand to the other
• Pinches small objects (like finger foods) between thumb and pointer finger

Cognitive Skills Development at 12 Months Old

• Discovers function of objects by banging, shaking, or throwing them
• Imitates gestures of parents or caregivers
• Finds hidden objects with ease
• Looks at the correct picture or object when named aloud (example: looking at the correct item in a large picture book)
• Begins to use items correctly (example: a cup for independent drinking)
• Can bang two items together using both hands
• Places objects into a container and then removes them
• Releases toys from hands intentionally
• Pokes using index finger
• Responds to simple commands (example: “Pick up the toy,” “Give me the book.”)

Cognitive Skills Development at 18 Months Old

• Can identify the function of every day, “occupational” objects (example: spoon, toothbrush, phone)
• Points to capture the attention of others
• Begins basic pretend-play (example: pretends to feed doll or teddy bear)
• Scribbles on his or her own (without prompting or assistance)
• Points to a specific body part
• Can follow single-steps commands without the need for parents to add gestures (example: Sits down when a parent says “Sit down” without needing parents to point or demonstrate)

Cognitive Skills Development at 2 Years Old

• Finds items hidden under two or three sheets or covers
• Can follow two-step directions (example: “Pick up the toy and put it in the cubby.”)
• Names items in picture books (such as “cat,” “dog,” or “piggy”)
• Finishes sentences or nursery rhymes in familiar picture books
• Can build towers made of four or more toy blocks
• Begins to sort out shapes and colors
• Begins using the dominant hand more
• Starts playing basic make-believe games

Cognitive Skills Development at 3 Years Old

• Can turn a door handle
• Able to screw or unscrew a jar or container
• Can operate toys with buttons, levers, and other moveable parts
• Can play with puzzles with three or four large pieces
• Turns book pages one page at a time
• Can build a tower made of six or more toy blocks
• Copies or traces a circle using a crayon
• Understands what “two” means (grasps the concept of “more than one”)
• Engages in make-believe or pretend play with dolls, stuffed animals, parents, or other children

Cognitive Skills Development at 4 Years Old

• Can name a handful of colors and numbers
• Able to follow three-part commands
• Understands the concept of counting
• Demonstrates memory development by recognizing parts of a story
• Begins to understand the concept of “time” and “waiting”
• Understands opposites (same vs. different)
• Uses more imagination, begins to predict what comes next in a story or book
• Plays board games or large card games
• May engage in extensive make-believe or have an “imaginary friend”

Cognitive Skills Development at 5 Years Old

• Knows name and address
• Can count to 10 or higher
• Knows about every day or self-help items (such as food or money)
• Has the ability to distinguish between real and make-believe worlds

These checkpoints can help ensure that your child is making satisfactory progress in cognitive development. Since every child is different, it is advisable to consult with a professional if you have worries or concerns. Contact The Warren Center for more information on programs, early childhood intervention, and therapy for cognitive development.