This document outlines typical developmental milestones for children from 1 month to 5 years of age. It provides examples of skills and abilities children may demonstrate at various ages including holding their head up, sitting, crawling, walking, talking, and developing fine motor skills. The milestones are broken into 3 month or 6 month intervals to track progress in areas like physical, cognitive, communication, and social/emotional development.

1. Developmental Stages
At this age most children will be able to... www.1800EarlyOn.org
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one • Raise head slightly off floor or bed, when lying fifteen • Walk without support
month months
on stomach • Stack 3 blocks
• Hold head up momentarily when supported • Use 5 or 6 words
• Briefly watch and follow objects with eyes • Vocalize – voice up and down like
• Avoid mildly annoying sensations (placement conversation (jargon)
of cloth on face) • Partially feed self with a spoon or fingers
• Make some “noise in throat” sounds • Find a hidden toy under a cover
two • Hold head erect, bobbing when supported in eighteen • Walk well
months months
sitting position • Climb up or down one stair
• Imitate or respond with occasional smile to • Walk backwards pulling a toy
smiling person • Make marks with crayon on paper
• Follow moving person with eyes • Partially feed self with a spoon
• Vocalize • Use 5 to 10 words
two
• Move both legs and arms equally well
three • Lift head and chest when lying on stomach
years
• Kick large ball
• Turn pages of a book
months
• Show vigorous body movement • Imitate housework
• Show improved head control • Ask for items by name
• Recognize breast or bottle • Recognize familiar pictures – know if it is
• Coo – chuckle upside down
four
• Use 2 or 3 words together, such as “more
juice”
three
• Have good head control
months
• Roll from side to side
• Begin reaching • Walk up stairs
years
• Laugh aloud • Stand momentarily on one foot
• Take object, such as a rattle, when held • Jump up with both feet
near hand
• Follow moving object when held in • Feed self
sitting position • Put on a coat with help
• Enjoy play • Verbalize toilet needs
four
• Use comforting when distressed
six • Sit with a little help
years
• Hop in place
• Throw ball over hand
months
• Roll from back to stomach • Catch ball when bounced to him or her
• Support weight; bounce activity • Copy circles
• Babble – more than two sounds • Know own sex, age, last name
• Hold one toy and reach for another • Point to 5 basic colors
nine
• Play with other children
• Use sentences with correct grammar,
• Sit alone – change position without falling
such as “Can I go to the store?”“I want a
months
• Creep or crawl on all fours
big cookie.”
• Express affection
• Wash and dry hands unassisted
five
• Hold 2 objects at the same time
• Say Mama – Dada
• Show fear of strangers • Walk backward toe to heel
twelve years
• Walk on tiptoe
• Print a few capital letters
• Pull self to standing – may step with support
• Recognize own printed name
months
• Pick things up with thumb and one finger
• Play with others
• Put one toy in another
• Identify a penny, nickel, and/or dime
• Give toy on request
• Answer verbally to “Hi” and “How are you?”
• Give affection
• Lace shoes
• Follow simple directions accompanied
by gestures
• Say 2 or 3 words