Milestones

Able to bring hands to mouth

By 4 Months

Able to move fists from closed to open

By 2 Months

Able to string large beads onto a string

By 36 Months

Able to turn pages in a book one at a time

By 30 Months

Able to twist things with their hands like doorknobs

By 30 Months

Catches large balls

By 36 Months

Claps hands

By 15 Months

Climbs on low furniture

By 18 Months

Enjoys being active and playing games like tag, hide and seek, etc.

By 36 Months

Goes up and down stairs with support

By 24 Months

In simple play imitates others

By 9 Months

Keeps head upright when in supported positions, e.g. sitting, standing, being held

By 6 Months

Kicks large ball

By 24 Months

Moves from tummy or back into sitting

By 9 Months

Moves in and out of various positions to explore environment and get desired toys

By 12 Months

Moves legs and arms off of surface when excited

By 2 Months

Picks up small objects with thumbs and fingers

By 9 Months

Pulls to stand and cruises along furniture

By 12 Months

Reaches for toys while on tummy

By 6 Months

Regularly moves with alternate leg and arm movement, e.g. creeping, crawling

By 12 Months

Releases objects into a container with a large opening

By 12 Months

Rolls from back to tummy and tummy to back

By 6 Months

Runs

By 24 Months

Sits and reaches for toys without falling

By 9 Months

Sits without support

By 9 Months

Squats to pick up a toy

By 18 Months

Stands alone and takes several independent steps

By 15 Months

Stands on tiptoes

By 24 Months

Starts to jump with both feet leaving the ground

By 30 Months

Starts to move with alternate leg and arm movement, e.g. creeping, crawling

By 9 Months

Uses hands to support self while sitting

By 6 Months

Uses thumb and pointer finger to pick up tiny objects

By 12 Months

Walks independently and seldom falls

By 18 Months

When walking, able to pull toys behind them

By 24 Months

While lying on back, reaches both hands to play with feet

By 6 Months

While lying on back, transfers toy from one hand to the other

By 9 Months

While lying on tummy, lifts and holds head up

By 2 Months

While lying on tummy, pushes up on straight arms

By 6 Months

While lying on tummy, supports self on arms

By 4 Months

While standing with support, accepts entire weight with legs

By 4 Months

Able to calm with rocking, touching, and gentle sounds

By 2 Months

Able to scribble and draw simple shapes

By 36 Months

Able to take off articles of clothing

By 30 Months

Brings hands and objects to mouth

By 6 Months

Develops depth perception

By 12 Months

Enjoys a variety of movements

By 2 Months

Enjoys new toys or objects

By 4 Months

Experiments with the amount of force needed to pick up different objects

By 9 Months

Explores and examines an object using both hands and mouth

By 9 Months

Explores toys with hands, fingers and mouth

By 12 Months

Eyes track together by 3 months

By 4 Months

Focuses on objects near and far

By 9 Months

Helps wash hands

By 18 Months

Helps with getting dressed/undressed

By 18 Months

Investigates shapes, sizes, and textures of toys and surroundings

By 9 Months

Knows at least one color

By 30 Months

Looks at people and objects

By 6 Months

Observes environment from a variety of positions – while lying on back or tummy, sitting, crawling, and standing with assistance

By 9 Months

Pours liquid from large pitcher to cup

By 36 Months

Sorts shapes and colors

By 24 Months

Stacks 5 or more small blocks or toys on top of each other

By 24 Months

Stacks two objects or blocks

By 15 Months

Takes toys apart and puts them back together

By 24 Months

Turns several pages of a chunky board book

By 9 Months

Uses both hands to explore toys

By 6 Months

Uses crayons, pens, or markers to make marks on paper

By 24 Months

While lying on back, attempts to reach for a toy held above their chest

By 4 Months

While lying on back, keeps head centered to watch faces or toys

By 4 Months

While lying on back, visually tracks a moving toy from side to side

By 2 Months

Able to eat soft finger/table foods, e.g. yogurt, bananas, ground beef

By 9 Months

Begins to eat baby safe foods, other than milk - such as pureed or soft solid foods

By 6 Months

Begins to use an open cup

By 12 Months

Consistently gets a utensil to their mouth

By 15 Months

Consumes about 1,000 calories a day

By 12 Months

Drinks 2 oz. to 4 oz. of breast milk/formula per feeding

By 2 Months

Drinks 4 oz. to 6 oz. of breast milk/formula per feeding

By 4 Months

Drinks from a cup with one hand

By 24 Months

Eating an increasing variety of food

By 12 Months

Eats between 750-900 calories per day, including 24 oz. of breast milk/formula

By 9 Months

Experiments with food using utensils and hands

By 6 Months

Explores food and attempts to finger feed self

By 9 Months

Finger feeds self

By 15 Months

Holds and drinks from a cup

By 18 Months

Latches on to nipple or bottle

By 2 Months

Moves food from front of mouth to back

By 6 Months

Moves tongue forward and back to suck

By 2 Months

Stays full longer after eating

By 9 Months

Sucks and swallows well during feeding

By 2 Months

Uses a fork

By 36 Months

Uses a spoon

By 24 Months

When hungry will open mouth for breast or bottle

By 4 Months

Ask “what” and “where” questions

By 36 Months

At least 50% of speech is understood by caregiver

By 36 Months

Babbling has sounds and rhythms of speech

By 12 Months

Begins to giggle or laugh

By 6 Months

Begins to use 2 word phrases

By 24 Months

Begins using hand movements to communicate wants and needs, e.g. reaches out hand to give/take objects

By 12 Months

Can identify 1-2 body parts when named

By 24 Months

Can say their own name

By 18 Months

Combines consonants and vowels in different ways e.g. ahhh-b, mmm-uuuh, eee-p

By 9 Months

Consistently imitates new words

By 24 Months

Coos and smiles

By 2 Months

Copies others

By 15 Months

Cries differently for different needs, e.g. hungry vs. tired

By 2 Months

Follows 2-step related directions, e.g. “Pick up your coat and bring it to me.”

By 30 Months

Follows simple directions, e.g. "Come here"

By 18 Months

Follows some directions when paired with a gesture

By 15 Months

Imitates simple words and actions

By 18 Months

Imitates speech sounds

By 12 Months

Listens and responds when spoken to

By 6 Months

Looks at familiar objects and people when named

By 9 Months

Makes different kinds of sounds to express feelings

By 6 Months

Makes different vowel sounds, e.g. eee, ooo, ahh, uh

By 4 Months

Makes eye contact

By 2 Months

Meaningfully uses “mama” or “dada”

By 12 Months

Names objects and pictures

By 24 Months

Notices toys that make sounds

By 4 Months

Participates in two-way communication

By 9 Months

Pays attention to where you are looking and pointing

By 12 Months

Points at familiar objects and people in pictures when named

By 15 Months

Points to objects they want

By 15 Months

Quiets or smiles in response to sound or voice

By 2 Months

Reacts to sudden noises or sounds

By 6 Months

Recognizes sound of their name

By 9 Months

Repeats words overheard in conversation

By 18 Months

Responds to “no”

By 12 Months

Says 3 or more words

By 18 Months

Shows interest in faces

By 2 Months

Shows interest in pictures

By 15 Months

Shows recognition of commonly used words

By 9 Months

Turns head towards sound or voice

By 4 Months

Understands action words

By 30 Months

Understands “in” and “out”

By 18 Months

Understands most simple sentences

By 36 Months

Understands new words quickly

By 24 Months

Understands “why” questions

By 36 Months

Uses 1 or 2 words other than "mama" or "dada"

By 15 Months

Uses at least 50 words

By 30 Months

Uses babbling to get attention

By 6 Months

Uses gestures and words during pretend play

By 18 Months

Uses simple gestures, e.g. raises hands to be picked up

By 9 Months

Uses simple pronouns (me, you, my)

By 24 Months

Uses smiles, sounds, or movement to get attention

By 4 Months

Uses some plurals, e.g. “dogs”

By 36 Months