Developmental Milestones

Click an age below to see the milestones to watch for during the selected period of life, and find age-appropriate resources to support your child’s development! Remember that development exists along a continuum, so not every child will achieve every milestone at an exact time. Always reach out to your child’s pediatrician should you have any concerns.

Talk, Read, Play: The Foundation of Development

At the Rollins Center, we believe Talk, Read, and Play are essential tools to building a solid developmental foundation with a focus on language and literacy for children birth to 5. But what exactly does that mean? Check out our articles below to see how you can make a difference in your child’s language development. Learn more about these approaches and how they fit into your child’s development!

Developmental Milestone Tracker

Choose an age or select up to 3 age groups to compare expected milestones between them.

2 Months 4 Months 6 Months 9 Months 12 Months 15 Months 18 Months 2 Years 30 Months 3 Years 4 Years 5 Years
Language / Communication
  • Makes sounds other than crying
  • Reacts to loud sounds
  • Makes sounds like “oooo” and “aahh” (cooing)
  • Makes sounds back when you talk to him
  • Turns head towards the sound of your voice
  • Takes turns making sounds with you
  • Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
  • Makes squealing noises
  • Makes different sounds like “mamama” and “babababa”
  • Lifts arms up to be picked up
  • Waves “bye-bye”
  • Calls parents “mama” and “dada” or another special name
  • Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)
  • 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 hold out a toy when you gold out your hand and say “Give me the toy.”
  • Points to ask for something or to get help
  • Tries to say three or more words besides “mama” and “dada”
  • Follows one step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, “Give it to me.”
  • Points to things in a 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
  • 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 like, “I,” “me,” or “we”
  • Talks with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth-exchanges
  • Asks “who,” “what,” “where,” or “why” questions, “Where is mommy/daddy?”
  • Says what is happening in a picture or a book when asked, like “running,” “eating,” or “playing”
  • Says first name, when asked
  • Talks well enough for others to understand, most of the time
  • 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?”
  • Tells a story she 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 (cat-bat, ball-tall)
Social / Emotional
  • Calms 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 to talk to or smile at her
  • Smiles on his own to get your attention
  • Chuckles (not yet a full laugh) when your try to make her laugh
  • Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention
  • Knows familiar people
  • Likes to look at himself in a mirror
  • Laughs
  • Is 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 for you)
  • Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo
  • Plays games with you, like “pat-a-cake”
  • Copies other children while playing, 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, kisses you)
  • 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 him by pushing arm through sleeves or lifting up foot
  • 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
  • Plays 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.”
  • Calms down within 10 minutes after you leave her, like at a childcare drop off
  • Notices other children and joins them to play
  • Pretends to be something else during play (teacher, superhero, dog)
  • Asks to go play with children if none are around, like “Can I go 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 or worship, library, playground)
  • 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
Cognitive
  • Watches you as you move
  • Looks at a toy for several seconds
  • If hungry, opens mouth when she sees breast or bottle
  • Looks at his hands with interest
  • Puts things in mouth to explore them
  • Reaches to grab a toy he wants
  • Closes lips to show she doesn’t want more food
  • Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like his spoon or toy)
  • Bangs two things together
  • Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup
  • Looks for things he sees you hide, like a toy under a blanket
  • Tries to use things the right way, like a phone, cup, or book
  • Stack at least two small objects, like blocks
  • Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom
  • Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car
  • 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
  • Uses things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll as if it were food
  • Shows simple problem-solving skills, like stepping 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?”
  • Draws a circle, when you show him how
  • Avoids touching hot objects, like a stove, when you warn her
  • Names a few colors of items
  • Tells what comes next in a well-known story
  • Draws a person with three or more body parts
  • 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 five to ten minutes during activities. For example, during story time or making arts and crafts (screen time does not count)
  • Writes some letters in her name
  • Names some letters when you point to them
Movement / Physical
  • Holds head up when on tummy
  • Moves both arms and both legs
  • Opens hands briefly
  • Holds head steady, without support, when you are holding her
  • Holds a toy when you put it in his hand
  • Uses her arm to swing at toys
  • Brings hands to mouth
  • Pushes up on to elbows/forearms when on tummy
  • Rolls from tummy to back
  • Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
  • Leans on hands to support himself when sitting
  • Gets to a sitting position by herself
  • Moves things from one hand to her other
  • Uses finger to “rake” food towards himself
  • Sits without support
  • 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
  • Takes a few steps on his own
  • Uses fingers to feed herself some food
  • Walks without holding on to anyone or anything
  • Scribbles
  • Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes
  • Feeds herself with her fingers
  • Tries to use a spoon
  • Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help
  • Kicks a ball
  • Runs
  • Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help
  • Eats with a spoon
  • Uses hands to twist things, like turning door knobs 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
  • Strings items together, like large beads or macaroni
  • Puts on some clothes by himself, like loose pants or a jacket
  • Uses a fork
  • Catches a large ball most of the time
  • Serves himself food or pours water, with adult supervision
  • Unbuttons some buttons
  • Holds a crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb (not a fist)
  • Buttons some buttons
  • Hops on one foot
When to Talk to a Doctor

You know your baby best – don’t wait! If your baby is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early.

If you or your doctor are still concerned:

  • Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your baby more; and
  • Call your state or territory’s early intervention program to find out if your baby can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI

For more on how to help your baby, visit cdc.gov/Concerned

You know your baby best – don’t wait! If your baby is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early.

If you or your doctor are still concerned:

  • Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your baby more; and
  • Call your state or territory’s early intervention program to find out if your baby can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI

For more on how to help your baby, visit cdc.gov/Concerned

You know your baby best – don’t wait! If your baby is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early.

If you or your doctor are still concerned:

  • Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your baby more; and
  • Call your state or territory’s early intervention program to find out if your baby can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI

For more on how to help your baby, visit cdc.gov/Concerned

You know your baby best – don’t wait! If your baby is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early.

If you or your doctor are still concerned:

  • Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your baby more; and
  • Call your state or territory’s early intervention program to find out if your baby can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI

For more on how to help your baby, visit cdc.gov/Concerned

You know your baby best – don’t wait! If your baby is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early.

If you or your doctor are still concerned:

  • Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your baby more; and
  • Call your state or territory’s early intervention program to find out if your baby can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI

For more on how to help your baby, visit cdc.gov/Concerned

You know your baby best – don’t wait! If your baby is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early.

If you or your doctor are still concerned:

  • Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your baby more; and
  • Call your state or territory’s early intervention program to find out if your baby can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI

For more on how to help your baby, visit cdc.gov/Concerned

You know your baby best – don’t wait! If your baby is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early.

If you or your doctor are still concerned:

  • Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your baby more; and
  • Call your state or territory’s early intervention program to find out if your baby can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI

For more on how to help your baby, visit cdc.gov/Concerned

You know your baby best – don’t wait! If your baby is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early.

If you or your doctor are still concerned:

  • Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your baby more; and
  • Call your state or territory’s early intervention program to find out if your baby can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI

For more on how to help your baby, visit cdc.gov/Concerned

You know your baby best – don’t wait! If your baby is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early.

If you or your doctor are still concerned:

  • Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your baby more; and
  • Call your state or territory’s early intervention program to find out if your baby can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI

For more on how to help your baby, visit cdc.gov/Concerned

You know your baby best – don’t wait! If your baby is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early.

If you or your doctor are still concerned:

  • Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your baby more; and
  • Call your state or territory’s early intervention program to find out if your baby can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI

For more on how to help your baby, visit cdc.gov/Concerned

You know your baby best – don’t wait! If your baby is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early.

If you or your doctor are still concerned:

  • Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your baby more; and
  • Call your state or territory’s early intervention program to find out if your baby can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI

For more on how to help your baby, visit cdc.gov/Concerned

You know your baby best – don’t wait! If your baby is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early.

If you or your doctor are still concerned:

  • Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your baby more; and
  • Call your state or territory’s early intervention program to find out if your baby can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI

For more on how to help your baby, visit cdc.gov/Concerned

Helpful Resources 2-months-Milestone-Checklist-2021 4-months-Milestone-Checklist-2021 6-months-Milestone-Checklist-2021 9-months-Milestone-Checklist-2021 12-months-Milestone-Checklist-2021 15-mo.-Milestone-Checklist-2021 18-mo-Milestone-Checklist-2021 2-yrs-Milestone-Checklist-2021 30-mo.-Milestone-Checklist-2021 3-yrs-Milestone-Checklist-2021 4-yrs-Milestone-Checklist-2021 5-yrs-Milestone-Checklist-2021
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. Program