CDC’s Developmental Milestones

What most babies do by this age:
– Social/Emotional Milestones
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)
– Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo

Language/Communication Milestones:
– Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa”
– Lifts arms up to be picked up
– Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
– Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like his spoon or toy)
– Bangs two things together

Movement/Physical Development Milestones:
– Gets 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

What most children do by this age:
– Social/Emotional Milestones
– Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake

Language/Communication Milestones:
– Waves “bye-bye”
– Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name
– Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)
– Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
– Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup
– Looks for things he sees you hide, like a toy under a blanket

Movement/Physical Development Milestones:
– 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

What most babies do by this age:
Social/Emotional Milestones:
– 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 sleeve or lifting up foot

Language/Communication Milestones:
– Tries 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.”
– Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
– Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom
– Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car

Movement/Physical Development Milestones:
– 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

What most children do by this age:
Social/Emotional Milestones:
– 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

Language/Communication Milestones:
– Points 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 yes
– Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
– 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

Movement/Physical Development Milestones:
– Kicks a ball
– Runs
– Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help
– Eats with a spoon

What most children do by this age:
Social/Emotional Milestones:
– Calms down within 10 minutes after you leave her, like at a childcare drop off
– Notices other children and joins them to play

Language/Communication Milestones:
– Talks 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 time

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving):
– Draws a circle, when you show him how
– Avoids touching hot objects, like a stove, when you warn her

Movement/Physical Development Milestones:
– Strings items together, like large beads or macaroni
– Puts on some clothes by himself, like loose pants or a jacket
– Uses a fork

What most children do by this age:
Social/Emotional Milestones:
– Pretends 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)

Language/Communication Milestones:
– 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?”
– Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
– Names a few colors of items
– Tells what comes next in a well-known story
– Draws a person with three or more body parts

Movement/Physical Development Milestones:
– Catches a large ball most of the time
– Serves himself food or pours water, with adult supervision
– Unbuttons some buttons
– Holds crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb (not a fist)

What most children do by this age:
Social/Emotional Milestones:
– 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

Language/Communication Milestones:
– 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 (bat-cat, ball-tall)

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving):
– 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 (screen time does not count)
– Writes some letters in her name
– Names some letters when you point to them

Movement/Physical Development Milestones:
– Buttons some buttons
– Hops on one foot