MILESTONE MAP

WHAT MOST BABIES DO BY  2 MONTHS  AGE:

Social and Emotional

  • Begins to smile at people

  • Can briefly calm himself such as bringing hands to mouth to suck on hand

  • Tries to look at parent

Language/Communication

  • Coos and makes gurgling sounds

  • Turns head toward sounds

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Pays attention to faces

  • Begins to follow things with eyes and recognize people at a distance

  • Begins to act bored such as crying if activity does not change

Movement/Physical Development

  • Can hold head up and begins to push up when lying on tummy

  • Makes smoother movements with arms and legs

TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR OR CALL PIC IF YOUR CHILD AT 2 MONTHS OF AGE:

  • Does not respond to loud sounds

  • Does not watch things as they move

  • Does not smile at people

  • Does not bring hands to mouth

  • Cannot hold head up when pushing up when on tummy

WHAT MOST BABIES DO BY  4 MONTHS  OF AGE:

Social and Emotional

  • Smiles spontaneously especially at people

  • Likes to play with people and might cry when playing stops

  • Copies some movements and facial expressions such as smiling or frowning

Language/Communication

  • Begins to babble

  • Babbles with expression and copies sounds he hears

  • Cries in different ways to show hunger, pain, tiredness

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Lets you know if she is happy or sad

  • Responds to affection

  • Reaches for toy with one hand

  • Uses hands and eyes together such as seeing a toy and reaching for it

  • Follows moving things with eyes from side to side

  • Watches faces closely

  • Recognizes familiar people and things at a distance

Movement/Physical Development

  • Holds head steady unsupported

  • Pushes down on legs when feet are on a hard surface

  • May be able to roll over from tummy to back

  • Can hold a toy and shake it and swing at dangling toys

  • Brings hands to mouth

  • When lying on stomach pushes up to elbows

TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR OR CALL PIC IF YOUR CHILD AT 4 MONTHS OF AGE:

  • Does not watch things as they move

  • Does not smile at people

  • Cannot hold head steady

  • Does not coo or make sounds

  • Does not bring things to mouth

  • Does not push down with legs when feet are placed on a hard surface

  • Has trouble moving one or both eyes in all directions

WHAT MOST BABIES DO BY  6 MONTHS  OF AGE:

Social and Emotional

  • Knows familiar faces and begins to know if someone is a stranger

  • Likes to play with others especially parents

  • Responds to other people’s emotions and often seems happy

  • Likes to look at self in a mirror

Language/Communication

  • Responds to sounds by making sounds

  • Strings vowels together when babbling such as “ah,” “eh,” “oh”

  • Likes taking turns with parent while making sounds

  • Responds to own name

  • Makes sounds to show joy and displeasure

  • Begins to say consonant sounds such as jabbering with “m” and “b”

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Looks around at things nearby

  • Brings things to mouth

  • Shows curiosity and tries to get things that are out of reach

  • Begins to pass things from one hand to the other

Movement/Physical Development

  • Rolls over in both directions from front to back and back to front

  • Begins to sit without support

  • When standing, supports weight on legs and might bounce

  • Rocks back and forth sometimes crawling backward before moving forward

TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR OR CALL PIC IF YOUR CHILD AT 6 MONTHS OF AGE:

  • Does not try to get things that are in reach

  • Shows no affection for caregivers

  • Does not respond to sounds around him

  • Has difficulty getting things to mouth

  • Does not make vowel sounds such as “ah”, “eh”, “oh”

  • Does not roll over in either direction

  • Does not laugh or make squealing sounds

  • Seems very stiff with tight muscles

  • Seems very floppy like a rag doll

WHAT MOST BABIES DO BY  9 MONTHS  OF AGE:

Social and Emotional

  • May be afraid of strangers

  • May be clingy with familiar adults

  • Has favorite toys

Language/Communication

  • Understands “no”

  • Makes a lot of different sounds such as “mama”, “dada”

  • Copies sounds and gestures of others

  • Uses fingers to point at things

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Watches the path of something as it falls

  • Looks for things he sees you hide

  • Plays peek-a-boo

  • Puts things in her mouth

  • Moves things smoothly from one hand to the other

  • Picks up things like cereal o’s between thumb and index finger

Movement/Physical Development

  • Stands holding onto something

  • Can get into sitting position

  • Sits without support

  • Pulls to stand

  • Crawls

TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR OR CALL PIC IF YOUR CHILD AT 9 MONTHS OF AGE:

  • Does not bear weight on legs with support

  • Does not sit with help

  • Does not babble such as “mama”, “dada”

  • Does not play any games involving back-and-forth play

  • Does not respond to own name

  • Does not seem to recognize familiar people

  • Does not look where you point

  • Does not transfer toys from one hand to the other

WHAT MOST TODDLERS DO BY  12 MONTHS  OF AGE:

Social and Emotional

  • Is shy or nervous with strangers

  • Cries when mom or dad leaves

  • Has favorite things and people

  • Shows fear in some situations

  • Hands you a book when he wants to hear a story

  • Repeats sounds or actions to get attention

  • Puts out arm or leg to help with dressing

  • Plays games such as “peek-a-boo” and “pat-a-cake”

Language/Communication

  • Responds to simple spoken requests

  • Uses simple gestures, like shaking head “no” or waving “bye-bye”

  • Makes sounds with changes in tone

  • Says “mama” and “dada” and exclamations like “uh-oh!”

  • Tries to say words you say

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Explores things in different ways such as shaking, banging, throwing

  • Finds hidden things

  • Looks at the right picture or thing when it is named

  • Copies gestures

  • Starts to use things correctly such as drinks from a cup, brushes hai

Bangs two things together

  • Puts things in a container, takes things out of a container

  • Can put and pick up object such as rattle, blanket

  • Pokes with index (pointer) finger

  • Follows simple directions such as “pick up the toy”

Movement/Physical Development

  • Gets into a sitting position without help

  • Pulls up to stand, walks holding on to furniture (“cruising”)

  • May take a few steps without holding on

  • May stand alone

TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR OR CALL PIC IF YOUR CHILD AT 12 MONTHS OF AGE:

  • Does not crawl

  • Cannot stand when supported

  • Does not search for things that she sees you hide

  • Does not say single words like “mama” or “dada”

  • Does not learn gestures like waving or shaking head

  • Does not point to things

  • Loses skills he once had

WHAT MOST TODDLERS DO BY  18 MONTHS  OF AGE:

Social and Emotional

  • Likes to hand things to others as play

  • May have temper tantrums

  • May be afraid of strangers

  • Shows affection to familiar people

  • Plays simple pretend such as feeding a doll

  • May cling to caregivers in new situations

  • Points to show others something interesting

  • Explores alone but with parent close by

Language/Communication

  • Says several single words

  • Says and shakes head “no”

  • Points to show someone what he wants

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Knows what ordinary things are for such as telephone, brush, spoon

  • Points to get the attention of others

  • Shows interest in a doll or stuffed animal by pretending to feed

  • Points to one body part

  • Scribbles on his own

  • Can follow one-step verbal commands without any gestures such as sits when you say “sit down”

Movement/Physical Development

  • Walks alone

  • May walk up steps and run

  • Pulls toys while walking

  • Can help undress herself

  • Drinks from a cup

  • Eats with a spoon

TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR OR CALL PIC IF YOUR CHILD AT 18 MONTHS OF AGE:

  • Does not point to show things to others

  • Cannot walk

  • Does not know what familiar things are for

  • Does not copy others

  • Does not gain new words

  • Does not have at least six words

  • Does not notice or mind when a caregiver leaves or returns

  • Loses skills he once had

WHAT MOST TODDLERS DO BY  2 YEARS  OF AGE:

Social and Emotional

  • Likes to hand things to others as play

  • May have temper tantrums

  • May be afraid of strangers

  • Shows affection to familiar people

  • Plays simple pretend such as feeding a doll

  • May cling to caregivers in new situations

  • Points to show others something interesting

  • Explores alone but with parent close by

Language/Communication

  • Says several single words

  • Says and shakes head “no”

  • Points to show someone what he wants

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Knows what ordinary things are for such as telephone, brush, spoon

  • Points to get the attention of others

  • Shows interest in a doll or stuffed animal by pretending to feed

  • Points to one body part

  • Scribbles on his own

  • Can follow one-step verbal commands without any gestures such as sits when you say “sit down”

Movement/Physical Development

  • Walks alone

  • May walk up steps and run

  • Pulls toys while walking

  • Can help undress herself

  • Drinks from a cup

  • Eats with a spoon

TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR OR CALL PIC IF YOUR CHILD AT 2 YEARS OF AGE:

  • Does not point to show things to others

  • Cannot walk

  • Does not know what familiar things are for

  • Does not copy others

  • Does not gain new words

  • Does not have at least six words

  • Does not notice or mind when a caregiver leaves or returns

  • Loses skills he once had

WHAT MOST TODDLERS DO BY  3 YEARS  OF AGE:

Social and Emotional

  • Copies adults and friends

  • Shows affection for friends without prompting

  • Takes turns in games

  • Shows concern for crying friend

  • Understands the idea of “mine”, “his”, “hers”

  • Shows a wide range of emotions

  • Separates easily from mom and dad

  • May get upset with major changes in routine

  • Dresses and undresses self

Language/Communication

  • Follows instructions with two or three steps

  • Can name most familiar things

  • Understands words such as “in”, “on”, “under”

  • Says first name, age, and gender

  • Names a friend

  • Says words such as I, me, we, you, and some plurals such as cars, dogs, cats

  • Talks well enough for strangers to understand most of the time

  • Carries on a conversation using two-to-three word sentences

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Can work toys with buttons, levers, and moving parts

  • Plays make-believe with dolls, animals, and people

  • Does puzzles with three or four pieces

  • Understands what the word two means

  • Copies a circle with pencil or crayon

  • Turns book pages one at a time

  • Builds towers of more than six blocks

  • Screws and unscrews jar lids or turns door handle

Movement/Physical Development

  • Climbs well

  • Runs easily

  • Pedals a tricycle (three-wheel bike)

  • Walks up and down stairs, one foot on each step

TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR OR CALL PIC IF YOUR CHILD AT 3 YEARS OF AGE:

  • Falls down a lot or has trouble with stairs

  • Drools or has very unclear speech

  • Cannot work simple toys such as peg boards, simple puzzles, turning handles

  • Does not speak in sentences

  • Does not understand simple instructions

  • Does not play pretend or make-believe

  • Does not want to play with other children or with toys

  • Does not make eye contact

  • Loses skills he once had

WHAT MOST TODDLERS DO BY  4 YEARS  OF AGE:

Social and Emotional

  • Enjoys doing new things

  • Plays “mom” and “dad”

  • Is more and more creative with make-believe play

  • Would rather play with other children than by himself

  • Cooperates with other children

  • Often cannot tell what is real and what is make-believe

  • Talks about what she likes and what she is interested in

Language/Communication

  • Knows some basic rules of grammar, such as correctly using “he”, “she”

  • Sings a song or says a poem from memory such as the “Itsy Bitsy Spider”, the “Wheels on the Bus”

  • Tells stories

  • Can say first and last name

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Names some colors and some numbers

  • Understands the idea of counting

  • Starts to understand time

  • Remembers parts of a story

  • Understands the idea of “same” and “different”

  • Draws a person with two-to-four body parts

  • Uses scissors

  • Starts to copy some capital letters

  • Plays board or card games

  • Tells you what he thinks is going to happen next in a book

Movement/Physical Development

  • Hops and stands on one foot up to two seconds

  • Catches a bounced ball most of the time

  • Pours, cuts with supervision, and mashes own food

TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR OR CALL PIC IF YOUR CHILD AT 4 YEARS OF AGE:

  • Cannot jump in place

  • Has trouble scribbling

  • Shows no interest in interactive games or make-believe

  • Ignores other children or does not respond to people outside the family

  • Resists dressing, sleeping, and using the toilet

  • Cannot retell a favorite story

  • Does not follow three-part commands

  • Does not understand “same” and “different”

  • Does not use “me” and “you” correctly

  • Speaks unclearly

  • Loses skills he once had

WHAT MOST TODDLERS DO BY  5 YEARS  OF AGE:

Social and Emotional

  • Wants to please friends

  • Wants to be like friends

  • More likely to agree with rules

  • Likes to sing, dance, and act

  • Shows concern and sympathy for others

  • Is aware of gender

  • Can tell what is real and what is make-believe

  • Shows more independence such as visiting a neighbor by himself,
    with adult supervision

Language/Communication

  • Speaks very clearly

  • Tells a simple story using full sentences

  • Uses future tense such as “Grandma will be here tomorrow”

  • Says name and address

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Counts ten or more things

  • Can draw a person with at least six body parts

  • Can print some letters or numbers

  • Copies a triangle and other geometric shapes

  • Knows about things used every day such as money and food

Movement/Physical Development

  • Stands on one foot for ten seconds or longer

  • Hops and may be able to skip

  • Can do a somersault

  • Uses a fork and spoon and sometimes a table knife

  • Can use the toilet on her own

  • Swings and climbs

TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR OR CALL PIC IF YOUR CHILD AT 5 YEARS OF AGE:

  • Does not show a wide range of emotions

  • Shows extreme behavior such as unusually fearful, aggressive, shy, or sad

  • Unusually withdrawn and not active

  • Is easily distracted and has trouble focusing on one activity for more than five minutes

  • Does not respond to people or responds only superficially

  • Cannot tell what is real and what is make-believe

  • Does not play a variety of games and activities

  • Cannot give first and last name

  • Does not use plurals or past tense properly

  • Does not talk about daily activities or experiences

  • Does not draw pictures

  • Cannot brush teeth, wash and dry hands, or get undressed without help

  • Loses skills he once had