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Although no 2 children develop at the same rate, they should be able to do certain things at certain ages. Learning to sit up, walk, and talk are some of the major developmental milestones your child will achieve.
Here is information about how babies and young children typically develop. Examples of developmental milestones for ages 1 month to 6 years are listed.
NOTE: If you see large differences between your child’s age and the milestones listed, talk with your child’s doctor.
At 1 Month
Social
Looks at parent; follows parent with eyes
Has self-comforting behaviors, such as bringing hands to mouth
Starts to become fussy when bored; calms when picked up or spoken to
Looks briefly at objects
Language
Makes brief, short vowel sounds
Alerts to unexpected sound; quiets or turns to parent’s voice
Shows signs of sensitivity to environment (such as excessive crying, tremors, or excessive startles) or need for extra support to handle activities of daily living
Has different types of cries for hunger and tiredness
Motor
Moves both arms and both legs together
Holds chin up when on tummy
Opens fingers slightly when at rest
At 2 Months
Social
Smiles responsively
Makes sounds that show happiness or upset
Language
Makes short cooing sounds
Motor
Opens and shuts hands
Briefly brings hands together
Lifts head and chest when lying on tummy
Keeps head steady when held in a sitting position
At 4 Months
Social
Laughs aloud
Looks for parent or another caregiver when upset
Language
Turns to voices
Makes long cooing sounds
Motor
Supports self on elbows and wrists when on tummy
Rolls over from tummy to back
Keeps hands unfisted
Plays with fingers near middle of body
Grasps objects
At 6 Months
Social
Pats or smiles at own reflection
Looks when name is called
Language
Babbles with sounds such as “da,” “ga,” “ba,” or “ka”
Motor
Sits briefly without support
Rolls over from back to tummy
Passes a toy from one hand to another
Rakes small objects with 4 fingers to pick them up
Bangs small objects on surface
At 9 Months
Social
Uses basic gestures (such as holding out arms to be picked up or waving bye-bye)
Looks for dropped objects
Turns consistently when name is called
Language
Says “Dada” or “Mama” nonspecifically
Looks around when hearing things such as “Where’s your bottle?” or “Where’s your blanket?”
Copies sounds that parent or another caregiver makes
Motor
Sits well without support
Pulls to stand
Moves easily between sitting and lying
Crawls on hands and knees
Picks up food to eat
Picks up small objects with 3 fingers and thumb
Lets go of objects on purpose
Bangs objects together
At 12 Months (1 Year)
Social
Looks for hidden objects
Imitates new gestures
Language
Uses “Dada” or “Mama” specifically
Uses 1 word other than Mama, Dada, or a personal name
Follows directions with gestures, such as motioning and saying, “Give me (object)”
Motor
Takes first steps
Stands without support
Drops an object into a cup
Picks up small object with 1 finger and thumb
Picks up food to eat
At 15 Months
Social
Imitates scribbling
Drinks from cup with little spilling
Points to ask something or get help
Looks around after hearing things such as “Where’s your ball?” or “Where’s your blanket?”
Language
Uses 3 words other than names
Speaks in what sounds like an unknown language
Follows directions that do not include a gesture
Motor
Squats to pick up object
Crawls up a few steps
Runs
Makes marks with crayon
Drops object into and takes it out of a cup
At 18 Months
Social
Engages with others for play
Helps dress and undress self
Points to pictures in book or to object of interest to draw parent’s attention to it
Turns to look at adult if something new happens
Begins to scoop with a spoon
Uses words to ask for help
Language
Identifies at least 2 body parts
Names at least 5 familiar objects
Motor
Walks up steps with 2 feet per step when hand is held
Sits in a small chair
Carries toy when walking
Scribbles spontaneously
Throws a small ball a few feet while standing
At 2 Years
Social
Plays alongside other children
Takes off some clothing
Scoops well with a spoon
Language
Uses at least 50 words
Combines 2 words into short phrase or sentence
Follows 2-part instructions
Names at least 5 body parts
Speaks in words that are about 50% understandable by strangers
Motor
Kicks a ball
Jumps off the ground with 2 feet
Runs with coordination
Climbs up a ladder at a playground
Stacks objects
Turns book pages
Uses hands to turn objects such as knobs, toys, or lids
Draws lines
At 2½ Years
Social
Urinates in a potty or toilet
Spears food with fork
Washes and dries hands
Increasingly engages in imaginary play
Tries to get parents to watch by saying, “Look at me!”
Language
Uses pronouns correctly
Motor
Walks up steps while alternating feet
Runs well without falling
Copies a vertical line
Grasps crayon with thumb and fingers instead of fist
Catches large balls
At 3 Years
Social
Enters bathroom and urinates by himself
Puts on coat, jacket, or shirt without help
Eats without help
Engages in imaginative play
Plays well with others and shares
Language
Uses 3-word sentences
Speaks in words that are understandable to strangers 75% of the time
Tells you a story from a book or TV
Compares things by using words such as bigger or shorter
Understands prepositions such as on or under
Motor
Pedals a tricycle
Climbs on and off couch or chair
Jumps forward
Draws a single circle
Draws a person with head and 1 other body part
Cuts with child scissors
At 4 Years
Social
Enters bathroom and has bowel movement by himself
Brushes teeth
Dresses and undresses without much help
Engages in well-developed imaginative play
Language
Answers questions such as “What do you do when you are cold?” or “What do you do when you are you sleepy?”
Uses 4-word sentences
Speaks in words that are 100% understandable to strangers
Draws recognizable pictures
Follows simple rules when playing a board or card game
Tells parent a story from a book
Motor
Hops on 1 foot
Climbs stairs while alternating feet without help
Draws a person with at least 3 body parts
Draws a simple cross
Unbuttons and buttons medium-sized buttons
Grasps pencil with thumb and fingers instead of fist
At 5 and 6 Years
Social
Follows simple directions
Dresses with little assistance
Language
Has good language skills
Can count to 10
Names 4 or more colors
Motor
Balances on 1 foot
Hops and skips
Is able to tie a knot
Draws a person with at least 6 body parts
Prints some letters and numbers
Can copy a square and a triangle
Well-Child Visits
Remember to take your child to his recommended well-child (health supervision) visits. At each visit, your child’s doctor will check his progress and ask you about the ways you see your child growing.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends regular well-child visits at the following times:
Before your baby is born (for first-time parents)
Before your newborn leaves the hospital
Within 3 to 5 days after birth and within 48 to 72 hours after leaving the hospital
During the first year after birth: visit by 1 month of age and also at 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months of age
In early childhood: visit at 15 months, 18 months, 2 years, and 2½ years of age as well as yearly visits from 3 to 4 years of age
In middle childhood: yearly visits from 5 to 10 years of age
In adolescence and early adulthood: yearly visits from 11 to 21 years of age until care of your child changes to an adult-oriented physician
Your pediatrician may recommend additional visits. If you have any questions or concerns about your child, talk with your child’s doctor. If there is a concern, early treatment is important.
© 2020 American Academy of Pediatrics. All rights reserved.