Developmental Milestones

Parents play a critical role in their child's development. Use this guide to track how they play, learn, speak, and act.

0-2 Months
  • Begins to smile at people
  • Coos, makes gurgling sounds
  • Pays attention to faces
  • Can hold head up and begins to push up when lying on tummy
2-4 Months
  • Smiles spontaneously, especially at people
  • Begins to babble
  • Lets you know if she is happy or sad
  • Holds head steady, unsupported
4-6 Months
  • Knows familiar faces and begins to know if someone is a stranger
  • Responds to sounds by making sounds
  • Responds to own name
  • Looks around at things nearby
  • Brings things to mouth
  • Rolls over in both directions (front to back, back to front)
  • Begins to sit without support
6-9 Months
  • May be afraid of strangers
  • Understands "no"
  • Watches the path of something as it falls
  • Looks for things he sees you hide
  • Stands, holding on
  • Can get into sitting position
  • Sits without support
9-12 Months
  • Is shy or nervous with strangers
  • Cries when mom or dad leaves
  • Responds to simple spoken requests
  • Uses simple gestures, like shaking head "no" or waving "bye-bye"
  • Explores things in different ways, like shaking, banging, throwing
  • Finds hidden things easily
  • May take a few steps without holding on
12-18 Months
  • Likes to hand things to others as play
  • Shows affection to familiar people
  • Says several single words
  • Says and shakes head "no"
  • Knows what ordinary things are for (telephone, brush, spoon)
  • Points to get the attention of others
  • Walks alone
  • May walk up steps and run
18-24 Months
  • Copies others, especially adults and older children
  • Gets excited when with other children
  • Points to things or pictures when they are named
  • Says sentences with 2 to 4 words
  • Begins to sort shapes and colors
  • Completes sentences and rhymes in familiar books
  • Stands on tiptoe; Kicks a ball; Begins to run
24-36 Months
  • Copies adults and friends
  • Shows affection for friends without prompting
  • Follows instructions with 2 or 3 steps
  • Can name most familiar things
  • Says first name, age, and sex
  • Can work toys with buttons, levers, and moving parts
  • Climbs well; Runs easily; Pedals a tricycle (3-wheel bike)

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