Developmental Milestones
Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “bye bye” are called developmental milestones. Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move (crawling, walking, etc.). Below you can download the full checklist – from 2 months old to 5 years old – or watch video playlists of different Developmental Milestones sorted by language.
0-3 Months
- Smiles and begins cooing sounds
- Kicks legs and waves arms
- Moves head side to side and lifts head when on stomach
- Bats a toy-reflexively
- TUrns head towards a familiar voice and listens
4-6 Months
- Turns head to follow object/watches object
- Reaches for a toy and touches it purposefully
- Moves toy from one hand to another
- Reaches for feet when on back
- Rolls from stomach to back
- Sits with assistance
- Lifts chest with arms when on stomach
- Bears some weight on legs when held
- Begins to hold bottle
- Mouths fingers
- Laughs and squeals
- Begins to know own name
- Rises arms to be held
- Refuses food when full
6-9 Months
- Shows pleasure and many other recognizable emotions
- Crawls, sits independently and pulls to stand
- Initiates social interaction
- Plays simple games such as peek-a-boo, pat-a-cake…
- Tries to reach for bottles, toys, pacifiers, even if hidden
- Bangs toys and objects together and explores them
- Feeds self simple finger foods
- Babbles-consonants/vowel sounds
- Imitates kissing and coughing
9-12 Months
- Begins to walk with support
- Rolls ball, picks up crayon, marks paper
- Takes objects in and out of containers
- Drinks from cup with help
- Shy with strangers/affectionate with family
- Uses a few simple words (mama, dada)
- Responds to simple requests (“come here”)
- Gestures-points, waves bye-bye and shakes head “yes-no”
1-2 Years Old
- Pulls up onto furniture, cruises, and eventually walks independently
- Begins with 1 – 2 words and increases to 15 words
- Feeds self with fingers and drinks from a cup
- Imitates activities and actions
- Explores drawers and cabinets
- Carries or hugs items (dolls, teddy bears)
- Finds hidden toys
2-3 Years Old
- Runs, hops and rides tricycles
- Feeds self using utensils
- Uses 2-5 word sentences
- Names at least one color correctly
- Understands taking turns
- Builds tall block towers and likes to scribble
