Developmental Milestones

Childhood is a time of tremendous growth and learning. There's so much to learn! Each child has their own way of doing things, and they all develop at different speeds. There are some general milestones when it comes to development and you can find them here. Always remember, if you are unsure or simply have questions don't hesitate to contact your child's Pediatrician.

Birth to 3 Months
  • Moves head side-to-side while lying on stomach
  • Frequently coos, gurgles, & makes pleasure sounds
  • Keeps hands in tight fists
  • Uses different cries to express different needs
  • Turns toward familiar sounds & voices
  • Startles to loud sounds
  • Quiets or smiles when spoken to
  • Follows a moving object with their eyes
  • Holds objects in hands
3 - 6 Months
  • Raises head/chest when lying on stomach
  • Opens & shuts hands
  • Babbles using short/long groups of sounds
  • Brings hand to mouth
  • Localize sound by turning head
  • Takes swipes at dangling objects with hands
  • Grasps & shakes hand toys
  • Vocalizes excitement & displeasure
  • Smiles at the sound of your voice
  • Pushes down on legs when feet are placed on a firm surface
  • Holds head up momentarily when supported
6 - 9 Months
  • Uses speech or non-crying sounds to get & keep attention
  • Holds two objects, one in each hand at the same time
  • Uses voice to express joy & displeasure; babbles chains of sounds
  • Roll from back to stomach
  • Sit alone briefly
  • Stands with support
  • Responds to name
  • Enjoys games like peek-a-boo & pat-a-cake
9 - 12 Months
  • Understands phrases like "no-no" & "bye-bye"
  • Finds partially hidden objects
  • Grabs crayons in a fist
  • Creeps and crawls
  • Uses both hands & begins to show preference to one
  • Says "mama" & "dada"
  • Pulls to stand
  • Put small blocks into a container
  • Takes small blocks out of a container
  • Start to feed themselves with finger foods
  • Stands alone momentarily
  • Imitates different speech sounds
  • Enjoys social play
  • Responds to other people's expressions of emotion and appears joyful often
1 - 2 Years
  • Able to stand without support
  • Points to at least 5 body parts when asked
  • Follows simple directions
  • Names familiar objects
  • Uses simple gestures, such as shaking head for "no"
  • Bangs two cubes together
  • Use words more frequently than jargon
  • Walks independently
  • Puts two words together ("mommy eat")
  • Walks up one step at a time with hand held or railing
  • Marks with crayon or pencil
  • Turns pages in a book
  • Jumps in place
  • Kicks a stationary ball
2 - 3 Years
  • Begins to demonstrate turn-taking and sharing behaviors
  • Ask simple questions ("More cookie?" or "Go bye-bye?")
  • Turns over container to pour out contents
  • Builds tower of four blocks or more
  • Follows 2 part commands
  • Uses simple phrases to communicate with others, such as "go outside, swing?"
  • Walks up and down stairs step by step using railing
  • Uses pronouns (I, you, me) and some plurals (cars, dogs)
  • Might use one hand more frequently than the other
  • Imitates others
3 - 4 Years
  • Catches a bounced ball most of the time
  • Uses 4-5 word sentences spontaneously
  • Cuts across paper with small scissors
  • Tells 2 events in chronological order
  • Rides a tricycle
  • Able to give sex, name, & age
  • Knows name of familiar animals
  • Knows 3 or more colors
  • Begins to copy some capital letters
  • Speaks clearly enough for strangers to understand
  • Understand object function
  • Balances on one foot for 2-5 seconds
  • Draws or copies a circle or square
  • Kicks ball forward
  • Throws small ball overhand
  • Follows 3 part commands
4 - 5 Years
  • Throws ball overhand
  • Usually talks easily without repeating syllables or words
  • Catches a bounced ball
  • Can count to 10
  • Balances on one foot for 4-8 seconds
  • Copies triangle & other geometric patterns
  • Dresses & undresses without assistance
  • Uses fork, spoon, & (sometimes) a knife
  • Kicks a rolling ball
  • Uses noun & verbs more frequently
  • Knows common opposites
    (big/little, hard/soft, heavy/light)
  • Shows increased independence
  • Identifies all basic colors
  • Prints some letters
  • Draws person with body
5 - 6 Years
  • Usually cares for own toilet needs
  • Recalls part of a story
  • Rides a bike with or without training wheels
  • Speaks sentences of more than five words
  • Asks "How" questions
  • Uses conjunctions
  • Understands future & past tense
  • Hops on one foot; balances on one foot for 10 seconds
  • Better understands concept of time
  • Wants to be like their friends
  • More likely to agree to rules
  • Likes to sing, dance, & act
  • Able to skip
  • Can describe objects by use
  • Has good control in writing
    & drawing
  • Can color while staying
    within the lines