Below is a list of milestones typically achieved by most children throughout the first three years of life. Please remember that every child is unique and all children develop and grow at their own pace. The milestones listed below are meant to be used as a guideline for your child’s development.
Developmental concerns that need immediate attention include weakness or non-usage of one side of the body, loss of skills previously mastered, eating/mouthing non-edible objects after age 2, excessive drooling after age 2 and self-injurious behavior.
If you have any concerns about your child’s development you should contact your pediatrician and call 1-800-755-4769 (GROW) or visit http://ohioearlyintervention.org/referral to make a referral for a developmental screening or evaluation.
| Age |
Milestones |
| One Month |
- Briefly watches and follows objects with eyes, usually not focused
- Recognizes caregiver’s voice
- Cries and fusses to gets needs met
- Hands are fisted, legs bent
- Blinks at bright light
- Startles at loud noises
|
| Two Months |
- Imitates or responds to smiling person
- Coos and vocalizes
- Lifts head slightly when lying on stomach
- Better head/neck control begins
|
| Three Months |
- Smiles socially
- Raise head and chest when lying on stomach
- Opens and shuts hands
- Follows moving objects
- Begins to babble
- Turns head toward direction of sounds
- Recognizes bottle or breast
|
| Four Months |
- Chuckles softly
- Squeals
- Stops crying when sees you
- Holds head steady when in a sitting position
- Holds a toy placed in his hand
- Helps to hold the bottle or breast when feeding
- Rolls from side to side
|
| Six Months |
- Sits with minimal support
- Rolls from back to stomach
- Passes objects from hand to hand
- Brings objects to mouth
- Babbles many sounds
- Responds to own name
- Enjoys social play
- Grabs at/reaches for toys offered
- When on back, plays with feet
- Pats at self in the mirror
|
| Nine Months |
- Responds to tone of voice
- Briefly stops activity when you say “no-no”
- Makes sounds such as “ga”, “da”, “ba”. May string sounds together “ba-ba”.
- Gets into the crawling position by getting on hands and knees
- If held, will support weight while “standing”.
- Picks up small toys holding it in the center of hand
- Puts toys in mouth
- Bangs toys on table
- Tries to get a toy out of reach
- Drinks from a cup with a lid
- Feeds self cracker or cookie
|
| One Year |
- Pulls self to stand maybe taking some steps
- Gives toy on request
- Follows at least one simple command (i.e., come here, give it to me)
- Says 2 or 3 words
- Plays Peek-A-Boo or similar game
- Picks up small items with thumb and first finger
- Throws items overhand
- Uses both hands equally well
- Helps turn pages of a book
- Claps
- Puts items in a container
- Helps with dressing by pushing arms and legs through clothing
- Shows affection
- Uses simple gestures (wave bye-bye)
|
| Fifteen Months |
- Take steps without support
- Climbs onto furniture
- Says 4 to 5 words in addition to Mama and Dada
- Some self feeding
- Points to objects they want
- Points to or pats pictures in a book
- Stacks at least two blocks
- Scribbles on paper
- Rolls a ball back to you
- Hugs a doll or stuffed animal
- Uses a spoon with some spilling
- Can get an item and bring it to you on request
|
| Eighteen Months |
- Do simple pretend play
- Use several words spontaneously
- Look at an object when you point at it and tell them to “look”
- Walks well alone, begins to run
|
| Two Years |
- Uses 2-3 words together (more juice)
- Follow simple instructions
- Point to object or picture when named
- Show interest in other children
- Temper tantrums peak
- Shows independence “I do it”
- Can run and avoid obstacles
|
| Three Years |
- Use 4 -5 word sentences
- Play make believe
- Shows affection for friends
- Imitate adults and playmates
- Has favorite toys, foods, etc.
- Can run, jump, kick, throw
|
