Kidy
Developmental Milestones Checklist by Age
Pick your child's age and tick what they already do. You'll get a gentle, no-pressure read across the four areas of development, plus a peek at what usually comes next. It's a reference, not a test.
How to use this checklist
Choose your child's age at the top, then tick each thing you have seen them do. As you check boxes, a gentle summary builds below, with a breakdown by area and a peek at what tends to come next. Milestones sit in four areas: social and emotional, language and communication, thinking and learning, and movement and physical. There is no score to pass. It is simply a way to notice where your child is right now.
This is an informational checklist based on CDC milestones. It is not a screening or a diagnosis. You know your child best, so trust that, and talk to your pediatrician about anything on your mind.
What developmental milestones are
Developmental milestones are the things most children can do by a certain age, like smiling back at you, waving bye-bye, or stacking blocks. This list follows the CDC milestones, which were chosen so that about 75% of children reach each one by the age shown. They are set at a point where most children are already there, so ticking most boxes is the expected, reassuring result.
Because they mark what most children do, and not the earliest a child could, milestones are a calm reference rather than a finish line. Children move through them in their own order and their own time. A few boxes left unticked usually just mean 'not this week'.
Every child at their own pace
Two children the same age can be doing very different things and both be perfectly on track. Skills often arrive in bursts, and a push in one area, like walking, can quietly pause another, like new words, for a while. What matters more than any single box is the overall direction over time. If your child is losing skills they had, or your gut says something is off, that feeling is worth a chat with your doctor. Early support is just support, and asking about it costs nothing.
Milestones by age, the full checklist
A quick reference you can read or print. These are the CDC milestones most children reach by each age.
2 months
favoriteSocial & emotional
- Calms down when spoken to or picked up
- Looks at your face
- Seems happy to see you when you walk up
- Smiles when you talk to or smile at them
chat_bubbleLanguage & communication
- Makes sounds other than crying
- Reacts to loud sounds
lightbulbThinking & learning
- Watches you as you move
- Looks at a toy for several seconds
directions_runMovement & physical
- Holds head up when on tummy
- Moves both arms and both legs
- Opens hands briefly
4 months
favoriteSocial & emotional
- Smiles on their own to get your attention
- Chuckles when you try to make them laugh
- Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention
chat_bubbleLanguage & communication
- Makes cooing sounds like "oooo" and "aahh"
- Makes sounds back when you talk to them
- Turns head towards the sound of your voice
lightbulbThinking & learning
- If hungry, opens mouth when they see breast or bottle
- Looks at their hands with interest
directions_runMovement & physical
- Holds head steady without support when you're holding them
- Holds a toy when you put it in their hand
- Uses their arm to swing at toys
- Brings hands to mouth
- Pushes up onto elbows or forearms when on tummy
6 months
favoriteSocial & emotional
- Knows familiar people
- Likes to look at themselves in a mirror
- Laughs
chat_bubbleLanguage & communication
- Takes turns making sounds with you
- Blows "raspberries" (sticks tongue out and blows)
- Makes squealing noises
lightbulbThinking & learning
- Puts things in their mouth to explore them
- Reaches to grab a toy they want
- Closes lips to show they don't want more food
directions_runMovement & physical
- Rolls from tummy to back
- Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
- Leans on hands to support themselves when sitting
9 months
favoriteSocial & emotional
- Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers
- Shows several facial expressions, like happy, sad, angry, and surprised
- Looks when you call their name
- Reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries)
- Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo
chat_bubbleLanguage & communication
- Makes a lot of different sounds like "mamamama" and "bababababa"
- Lifts arms up to be picked up
lightbulbThinking & learning
- Looks for objects when dropped out of sight
- Bangs two things together
directions_runMovement & physical
- Gets to a sitting position by themselves
- Moves things from one hand to their other hand
- Uses fingers to "rake" food towards themselves
- Sits without support
12 months
favoriteSocial & emotional
- Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake
chat_bubbleLanguage & communication
- Waves "bye-bye"
- Calls a parent "mama" or "dada" or another special name
- Understands "no" (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)
lightbulbThinking & learning
- Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup
- Looks for things they see you hide, like a toy under a blanket
directions_runMovement & physical
- Pulls up to stand
- Walks, holding on to furniture
- Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it
- Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food
15 months
favoriteSocial & emotional
- Copies other children while playing
- Shows you an object they like
- Claps when excited
- Hugs a stuffed doll or other toy
- Shows you affection (hugs, cuddles, or kisses you)
chat_bubbleLanguage & communication
- Tries to say one or two words besides "mama" or "dada", like "ba" for ball
- Looks at a familiar object when you name it
- Follows directions given with both a gesture and words
- Points to ask for something or to get help
lightbulbThinking & learning
- Tries to use things the right way, like a phone, cup, or book
- Stacks at least two small objects, like blocks
directions_runMovement & physical
- Takes a few steps on their own
- Uses fingers to feed themselves some food
18 months
favoriteSocial & emotional
- Moves away from you, but looks to make sure you are close by
- Points to show you something interesting
- Puts hands out for you to wash them
- Looks at a few pages in a book with you
- Helps you dress them by pushing arm through a sleeve or lifting a foot
chat_bubbleLanguage & communication
- Tries to say three or more words besides "mama" or "dada"
- Follows one-step directions without any gestures
lightbulbThinking & learning
- Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom
- Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car
directions_runMovement & physical
- Walks without holding on to anyone or anything
- Scribbles
- Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes
- Feeds themselves with their fingers
- Tries to use a spoon
- Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help
2 years
favoriteSocial & emotional
- Notices when others are hurt or upset
- Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation
chat_bubbleLanguage & communication
- Points to things in a book when you ask, like "Where is the bear?"
- Says at least two words together, like "More milk"
- Points to at least two body parts when you ask
- Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes
lightbulbThinking & learning
- Holds something in one hand while using the other hand
- Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons on a toy
- Plays with more than one toy at the same time
directions_runMovement & physical
- Kicks a ball
- Runs
- Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help
- Eats with a spoon
30 months
favoriteSocial & emotional
- Plays next to other children and sometimes plays with them
- Shows you what they can do by saying, "Look at me!"
- Follows simple routines when told
chat_bubbleLanguage & communication
- Says about 50 words
- Says two or more words together, with one action word, like "Doggie run"
- Names things in a book when you point and ask
- Says words like "I", "me", or "we"
lightbulbThinking & learning
- Uses things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll
- Shows simple problem-solving skills, like standing on a stool to reach something
- Follows two-step instructions
- Shows they know at least one color
directions_runMovement & physical
- Uses hands to twist things, like turning doorknobs or unscrewing lids
- Takes some clothes off by themselves
- Jumps off the ground with both feet
- Turns book pages, one at a time
3 years
favoriteSocial & emotional
- Calms down within 10 minutes after you leave, like at a childcare drop-off
- Notices other children and joins them to play
chat_bubbleLanguage & communication
- Talks with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges
- Asks "who", "what", "where", or "why" questions
- Says what action is happening in a picture or book when asked
- Says their first name when asked
- Talks well enough for others to understand, most of the time
lightbulbThinking & learning
- Draws a circle when you show them how
- Avoids touching hot objects when you warn them
directions_runMovement & physical
- Strings items together, like large beads or macaroni
- Puts on some clothes by themselves
- Uses a fork
4 years
favoriteSocial & emotional
- Pretends to be something else during play (teacher, superhero, dog)
- Asks to go play with children if none are around
- Comforts others who are hurt or sad
- Avoids danger, like not jumping from tall heights
- Likes to be a "helper"
- Changes behavior based on where they are
chat_bubbleLanguage & communication
- Says sentences with four or more words
- Says some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme
- Talks about at least one thing that happened during their day
- Answers simple questions like "What is a coat for?"
lightbulbThinking & learning
- Names a few colors of items
- Tells what comes next in a well-known story
- Draws a person with three or more body parts
directions_runMovement & physical
- Catches a large ball most of the time
- Serves themselves food or pours water, with adult supervision
- Unbuttons some buttons
- Holds a crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb (not a fist)
5 years
favoriteSocial & emotional
- Follows rules or takes turns when playing games with other children
- Sings, dances, or acts for you
- Does simple chores at home, like matching socks or clearing the table
chat_bubbleLanguage & communication
- Tells a story they heard or made up with at least two events
- Answers simple questions about a book or story after you read it
- Keeps a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges
- Uses or recognizes simple rhymes (bat-cat, ball-tall)
lightbulbThinking & learning
- Counts to 10
- Names some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them
- Uses words about time, like "yesterday", "tomorrow", "morning", or "night"
- Pays attention for 5 to 10 minutes during activities
- Writes some letters in their name
- Names some letters when you point to them
directions_runMovement & physical
- Buttons some buttons
- Hops on one foot
help_outlineFAQ
What are developmental milestones?
They are things most children can do by a certain age, across play, learning, speaking, acting and moving. This checklist follows the CDC milestones, set at the age by which about 75% of children reach each one. They are a guide to notice how your child is doing, not a test to pass.
My child hasn't reached some of these. Should I worry?
Usually not. Children develop on their own timelines, and most "not yet" milestones simply arrive a little later. Look at the overall picture over time rather than any single box. If several are still not there for your child's age, or your child loses a skill they had, mention it at your next check-up for peace of mind.
How accurate is this checklist?
It mirrors the CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." milestones, a widely used, pediatrician-reviewed reference. Still, it is a general guide and not a formal developmental screen. Tools like the ASQ, and your own pediatrician, are the right next step if you want a proper assessment.
What ages does it cover?
From 2 months through 5 years, at the CDC checkpoints: 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 months, then 2 years, 30 months, 3, 4 and 5 years.
When should I talk to a doctor?
Any time you are unsure, that is what check-ups are for. The CDC suggests acting early if your child loses skills they once had, or if several milestones are not happening for their age. Early support is just support, and asking is always reasonable.
Sources
- CDC, Learn the Signs. Act Early. Developmental Milestones
- Zubler J. et al. (2022). Evidence-Informed Milestones for Developmental Surveillance Tools. Pediatrics, 149(3).
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org, developmental milestones
This content is informational and does not replace pediatric care. Talk to your child's doctor for individual guidance.