Developmental Milestones (Updated 2022) Flashcards
Looks for things he sees you hide, like a toy under a blanket
12 months
Names some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them
5 years
Points to things in a book when you ask, for example, “Where is the bear?”
24 months
Stacks at least 2 small objects, like blocks
15 months
Holds a toy when you put it in his hand
4 months
Looks at a toy for several seconds
2 months
Tells what comes next in a well-known story
4 years
If hungry, opens mouth when she sees breast or bottle
4 months
Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
6 months
Hops on 1 foot
5 years
Writes some letters in her name
5 years
Talks with you in conversation using at least 2 back-and-forth exchanges
3 years
Looks at his hands with interest
4 months
Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes
18 months
Uses hands to twist things, like turning doorknobs or unscrewing lids
30 months
Says words like I, me, or we
30 months
Plays next to other children and sometimes plays with them
30 months
Buttons some buttons
5 years
Copies other children while playing, like taking toys out of a container when another child does
15 months
Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo
9 months
Moves away from you, but looks to make sure you are close by
18 months
Likes to look at himself in the mirror
6 months
Rolls from tummy to back
6 months
Unbuttons some buttons
4 years
Opens hands briefly
2 months
Helps you dress him by pushing arm through sleeve or lifting up foot
18 months
Uses things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll as if it were food
30 months
Points to ask for something or to get help
15 months
Shows simple problem-solving skills, like standing on a small stool to reach something
30 months
Brings hands to mouth
4 months
Turns book pages, 1 at a time, when you read to her
30 months
Chuckles (not yet a full laugh) when you try to make her laugh
4 months
Leans on hands to support himself when sitting
6 months
Hugs stuffed doll or other toy
15 months
Answers simple questions, like “What is a coat for,” or “What is a crayon for?”
4 years
Follows directions given with both a gesture and words. For example, he gives you a toy when you hold out your hand and say, “Give me the toy.”
15 months
Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup
12 months
Follows 2-step instructions, for example, “Put the toy down and close the door.”
30 months
Comforts others who are hurt or sad, like hugging a crying friend
4 years
Uses fingers to feed herself some food
15 months
Scribbles
18 months
Closes lips to show she does not want more food
6 months
Knows familiar people
6 months
Lifts arms up to be picked up
9 months
Follows rules or takes turns when playing games with other children
5 years
Says ∼50 words
30 months
Plays with >1 toy at the same time, like putting toy food on a toy plate
24 months
Shows you affection (hugs, cuddles, or kisses you)
15 months
Smiles on his own to get your attention
4 months
Catches a large ball most of the time
4 years
Reaches to grab a toy he wants
6 months
Says sentences with ≥4 words
4 years
Avoids danger, like not jumping from tall heights at the playground
4 years
Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
6 months
Uses words about time, like yesterday, tomorrow, morning, or night
5 years
Serves himself food or pours water, with adult supervision
4 years
Tells a story she heard or made up with at least 2 events, like a cat stuck in a tree and a firefighter saving it
5 years
Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help
24 months
Answers simple questions about a book or story after you read or tell it to him
5 years
Tries to use a spoon
18 months
Sings, dances, or acts for you
5 years
Says some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme
4 years
Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food
12 months
Avoids touching hot objects, like a stove, when you warn her
3 years
Kicks a ball
24 months
Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention
4 months
Notices other children and joins them to play
3 years
Claps when excited
15 months
Says first name when asked
3 years
Reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries)
9 months
Puts things in her mouth to explore them
6 months
Walks without holding onto anyone or anything
18 months
Uses a fork
3 years
Pushes up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy
4 months
Takes some clothes off by himself, like loose pants or an open jacket
30 months
Notices when others are hurt or upset, like pausing or looking sad when someone is crying
24 months
Pulls up to stand
12 months
Gets to a sitting position by herself
9 months
Tries to say ≥3 words besides mama or dada
18 months
Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)
12 months
Puts hands out for you to wash them
18 months
Draws a person with ≥3 body parts
4 years
Likes to be a “helper”
4 years
Calms down within 10 min after you leave her, like at child care drop off
3 years
Uses her arm to swing at toys
4 months
Uses fingers to “rake” food toward himself
9 months
Makes sounds other than crying
2 months
Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation
24 months
Waves “bye-bye”
12 months
Names a few colors of items
4 years
Looks when you call his name
9 months
Looks at a familiar object when you name it
15 months
Asks who, what, where, or why questions, like “Where is mommy/daddy?”
3 years
Uses or recognizes simple rhymes (bat-cat, ball-tall)
5 years
Tries to say 1 or 2 words besides mama or dada, like “ba” for ball or “da” for dog
15 months
Does simple chores at home, like matching socks or clearing the table after eating
5 years
Seems happy to see you when you walk up to her
2 months
Names things in a book when you point and ask, “What is this?”
30 months
Jumps off the ground with both feet
30 months
Feeds herself with her fingers
18 months
Shows several facial expressions, like happy, sad, angry, and surprised
9 months
Smiles when you talk to or smile at her
2 months
Follows simple routines when told, like helping to pick up toys when you say, “It’s clean-up time.”
30 months
Holds head steady without support when you are holding her
4 months
Shows you an object that he likes
15 months
Points to show you something interesting
18 months
Takes a few steps on his own
15 months
Asks to go play with children if none are around, like “Can I play with Alex?”
4 years
Calms down when spoken to or picked up
2 months
Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons on a toy
24 months
Bangs 2 things together
9 months
Follows 1-step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, “Give it to me.”
18 months
Pays attention for 5–10 min during activities, for example, during story time or making arts and crafts (screen time does not count)
5 years
Laughs
6 months
Turns head toward the sound of your voice
4 months
Names some letters when you point to them
5 years
Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help
18 months
Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers
9 months
Looks at your face
2 months
Looks at a few pages in a book with you
18 months
Says what action is happening in a picture when asked, like running, eating, or playing
3 years
Draws a circle when you show him how
3 years
Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake
12 months
Talks well enough for others to understand, most of the time
3 years
Makes different sounds like “mamamama” and “babababa”
9 months
Makes sounds back when you talk to him
4 months
Puts on some clothes by himself, like loose pants or a jacket
3 years
Strings items together, like large beads or macaroni
3 years
Watches you as you move
2 months
Runs
24 months
Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like his spoon or toy)
9 months
Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom
18 months
Says at least 2 words together, like “More milk.”
24 months
Moves both arms and both legs
2 months
Holds crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb (not in a fist)
4 years
Shows you what she can do by saying, “Look at me!”
30 months
Changes behavior on the basis of where she is (place of worship, library, playground)
4 years
Pretends to be something else during play (teacher, superhero, dog)
4 years
Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes
24 months
Eats with a spoon
24 months
Makes sounds like “oooo” and “aahh” (cooing)
4 months
Points to at least 2 body parts when you ask him to show you
24 months
Shows that he knows at least 1 color, like pointing to a red crayon when you ask, “Which one is red?”
30 months
Makes squealing noises
6 months
Says ≥2 words, with 1 action word, like “Doggie run.”
30 months
Reacts to loud sounds
2 months
Holds head up when on tummy
2 months
Takes turns making sounds with you
6 months
Tries to use things the right way, like a phone, cup, or book
15 months
Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name
12 months
Talks about at least 1 thing that happened during his day, like “I played soccer.”
4 years
Holds something in 1 hand while using the other hand, for example, holding a container and taking the lid off
24 months
Counts to 10
5 years
Keeps a conversation going with >3 back-and-forth exchange
5 years
Moves things from 1 hand to her other hand
9 months
Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it
12 months
Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car
18 months
Sits without support
9 months
Walks, holding onto furniture
12 months
