Calms down when spoken to or picked up
Looks at your face
Seems happy to see you when you walk up to them
Smiles when you talk to or smile at them
Makes sounds other than crying
Reacts to loud sounds
Watches you as you move
Looks at a toy for several seconds
Holds head up when on tummy
Moves both arms and both legs
Opens hands briefly
Smiles on his own to get your attention
Chuckles (not a full laugh yet) when you try to make them laugh
Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention
Makes sounds like “oooo”, “ahhh” (cooing)
Makes sounds back when you talk to them
Turns head towards the sound of your voice
If hungry, opens mouth when they see breast or bottle
Looks at their hands with interest
Holds head steady without support when you are holding them
Holds a toy when you put it in their hand
Uses their arm to swing at toys
Brings hands to mouth
Pushes up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy
Knows familiar people
Likes to look at themselves in a mirror
Laughs
Takes turns making sounds with you
Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
Makes squealing noises
Puts things in their mouth to explore them
Reaches to grab a toy they want
Closes lips to show they don’t want more food
Rolls from tummy to back
Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
Leans on hands to support themself when sitting
Is shy/clingy/fearful around strangers
Shows several facial expressions like happy, sad, angry or surprised
Looks when you call their name
Reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries)
Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo
Makes different sounds like “mamamamama” and “babababa”
Lifts arms up to be picked up
Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like their spoon or toy)
Bangs two things together
Gets to a sitting position by themself
Moves things from one hand to another hand
Uses fingers to “rake” food towards themself
Sits without support
Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake
Waves “bye-bye”
Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name
Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)
Puts something in a container like a block in a cup
Looks for things they see you hide, like a toy under a blanket
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
Copies other children while playing, like taking toys out of a container when another child does
Shows you an object they like
Claps when excited
Hugs stuffed doll or other toy
Shows you affection (hugs, cuddles, or kisses you)
Tries to say one or two words besides “mama” or “dada” like “ba” or “da” for dog
Looks at a familiar object when you name it
Follows directions given with both a gesture and words. For example, they give you a toy when you hold out your hand and say “Give me the toy.”
Points to ask for something or to get help
Tries to use things the right way, like a phone, cup, or book
Stacks at least two small objects, like blocks
Takes a few steps on their own
Uses fingers to feed them themself some food
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
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.”
Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom
Plays with toys in a simpler way, like pushing a toy car
Walks without holding on to anyone or anything
Scribbles
Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes
Feeds themself with their fingers
Tries to use a spoon
Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help
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
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 them to show you
Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes
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
– Kicks a ball
– Runs
– Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help
– Eats with a spoon
– Plays next to other children and sometimes plays with them
– Shows you what they 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.”
– 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”
– Uses things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll as if it were food
– Shows simple problem-solving skills, like standing on a small stool to reach something
– Follow two-step instructions like “Put the toy down and close the door.”
– Shows they know at least one color, like pointing to a red crayon when you ask, “Which one is red?”
– Uses hands to twist things, like turning door knobs or unscrewing lids
– Takes some clothes off by themself, 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 them
Calms down within 10 minutes after you leave them, like at a childcare drop off
Notices other children and joins them to play
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
Draws a circle when you show them how
Avoids touching hot objects, like a stove, when you warn them
Strings items together, like large beads or macaroni
Puts on some clothes by themself, like loose pants or a jacket
Uses a fork
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 they are (place of worship, library, playground)
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 their day, like “I played soccer.”
Answers simple questions like “What is a coat for?” or “What is a crayon for?”
Names a few colors of items
Tells what comes next in a well-known story
Draws a person with three or more body parts
Catches a large ball most of the time
Serves themself food or pours water, with adult supervision
Unbuttons some buttons
Holds crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb (not a fist)
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
Tells a story they 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 they
Keeps a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges
Uses or recognizes simple rhymes (bat-cat, ball-tall)
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 their name
Names some letters when you point to them
Buttons some buttons
Hops on one foot
Source: CDC.gov
Download the CDC’s free Milestone Tracker app to help you keep track of all these important developmental markers!
Just a heads-up – The info here is for general guidance only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a professional in the corresponding field for personalized recommendations