Developmental Milestones
Tracking milestones will help you understand your child’s growth and development and identify areas where they may need extra support. This information can also guide you in the selection of developmentally appropriate activities to carry out with your child that promote overall development, and foster a strong foundation for learning, communication, and overall well-being.
Developmental Milestones Chart
Newborn
- Head sags and must be supported
- Can see lights, shapes, and faces, but blurry
- Eyes may “cross” randomly
- Hands are held fisted
- Closes fingers around toy place in hand
- Brings hands to mouth
- Watches adult’s face when feeding
- Turns head from side to side when supine
- Movements are jerky and erratic
- Sucking and rooting reflexes are present
- Startles at loud noises
One to Two Months
- Can see 8 to 12-inches away
- Hand kept primarily fisted
- Shows awareness of hands
- Watches parent as they move
- Focuses on toy for several seconds
- Recognizes familiar person
- Smiles or gurgles to a familiar person
- Holds head up during tummy time
- Moves both arms and legs
- Opens hands briefly
Three to Four Months
- Smiles to get attention
- Coos when spoken to
- Holds head steady when held
- Manipulates hands at midline
- Reaches out for toy
- Grasps toy crudely
- Holds a toy in one hand
- Puts hand in mouth
- Stretches legs out and kicks
- Raises head and chest during tummy time
Five to Six Months
- Knows familiar people
- Laughs out loud when stimulated
- Looks at self in mirror
- Makes squealing noises
- Explores items by mouthing them
- Rolls from tummy to back
- Reaches and attains toy
- Bangs in play
- Grasps tiny toy with palm and fingers
- Pushes up with straight arms during tummy time
Seven to Eight Months
- Enjoys playing peek-a-boo
- May hold bottle
- Constantly mouthing objects
- Shakes rattle in imitation
- Grasps toy with thumb and fingers
- Pokes at tiny toy with index finger
- Picks up food to place in mouth
- Responds to name
- Shows shyness around strangers
- Rolls from back to stomach and stomach to back
Nine to Ten Months
- Looks for dropped object
- Clingy or fearful around strangers
- Look when name is called
- “Rakes” food with fingers
- Moves item from one hand to another
- Bangs two toys together
- Good release of objects is present
- Responds to familiar words
- Smiles selectively
- Sits without support
Eleven to Twelve Months
- Waves “bye-by”
- Says “da-da” or “ma-ma”
- Understands “no”
- Places one cube/block in a cup
- Looks for hidden toy
- Repeats a performance to draw laughs
- Drops a toy deliberately
- Pulls up to stand
- Temporarily responds to “no” or “stop”
- Walks holding furniture
Thirteen to Eighteen Months
- Shows affections (hugs and kisses)
- Follows one-step directions
- Points with index finger
- Stacks 2 to 4 blocks
- Pushes arms through sleeves
- Walks with or without support
- Eats with fingers
- Turns pages of a board book
- Drinks from a cup
- Tries to hold spoon
Nineteen to Twenty-Four Months
- Squats down and picks up a toy
- Runs with stiff legs
- Eats with spoon (some spillage)
- Kicks a ball forward with one foot
- Scribbles in circles
- Jumps in place two times
- Points to specifics in a book
- Assists with some dressing
- Stacks 6 blocks
Additional Resources
CDC’s Developmental Milestones
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html
Milestones Matter: Your Child’s Growth & Development By Age 5
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/health-management/Pages/Milestones-Matter.aspx