Milestones Chart
If your child has not accomplished 3 or more of the following skills by the age listed, contact us for a screening.
Speech Milestones
Birth to 3 Months
- Makes sounds like cooing, gurgling, sighing, and grunting
- Cries differently for different needs
- Exhibits startle response to loud noises
- Recognizes primary caregiver’s voice and will quiet when they hear it
- Increases or decreases sucking behavior in response to sound
3 to 6 Months
- Babbles, squeals, and makes speck like sounds such as “b” and “m”
- Blows raspberries
- Chuckles and laughs
- Squeals and partakes in “vocal play”
6 to 9 Months
- Copies sounds or gestures
- Responds to name
- Vocalizes pleasure and displeasure
- May begin to use gestures and vocalizations to communicate (reaching out, waving, putting hands up to indicate “up”)
9 to 12 Months
- Recognizes common words (cup, juice, shoe)
- Can say one or two-syllable words (bye-bye, mama, dada)
- Responds to simple requests (come here)
- Begins to use more adult-like intonation like a question or exclamation
- Searches for common objects or family members when named
12 to 24 Months
- Uses some 2-word questions (Where kitty? Go bye-bye? What’s that?)
- Can point to some body parts when asked
- Points to pictures in a book when named
- Follows simple commands (roll the ball, kiss the baby, where’s your shoe?)
- Says “no” often
2 to 3 Years Old
- Uses 2-3 word sentences to talk about or ask for things
- Speech is understood by familiar listeners most of the time
- Understands and answers simple questions (who, what, where, why)
- Repeats simple rhymes and songs
3 to 5 Years Old
- Hears you when you call from another room
- Uses sentences that have 4 or more words
- 80% understandable to both familiar and unfamiliar listeners by age 3
5 Years and Older
- Can pay attention to short story and answer questions about it
- Hears and understands most of what is said at home and at school
- Uses sentences that give more detail (I like to read my books)
- Communicates easily with other children and adults
Physical / Motor Milestones
Birth to 3 Months
- Able to lift or raise head from surface when lying on tummy
- Reaches for or grasps toys, rattles, or hair
- Brings hand to mouth
3 to 6 Months
- Turns head and moves eyes to voices or sounds
- Rolls over front-to-back and back-to-front
- Holds toys, puts toys in mouth, and can help hold the bottle during feeding.
- Looks from one object to another
6 to 9 Months
- Moves toys from one hand to the other hand
- Can sit unassisted for five minutes
- Starts to crawl by pulling self up and kicking legs
- Tries to get an object out of reach
- Holds a small toy in each hand
- Bangs toys together at the center of the body
9 to 12 Months
- Grabs small objects with thumb and index finger
- Able to crawl, pull up on furniture, and take some steps without assistance
- Can drink from a cup with help
- Pushes/rolls a ball
- Tears paper
- Holds arms and legs out for dressing
- Removes socks
12 to 24 Months
- Walks alone without assistance and can keep balance when stepping off objects
- Can throw a small ball, scribble on paper, and use a spoon with some success
- Completes 1-3 piece puzzle or form board
- Uses one hand more than the other
- Turns hand to screw lids on/off
- Zips and unzips zippers
- Stacks small block towers
2 to 3 Years Old
- Can walk, jump with both feet, and show improvement at running
- Able to kick and throw a ball
- Able to walk up and down steps with alternate feet while holding someone’s hand (independently by age 3)
- Grasps pencil with thumb and index
- Washes hands
- Imitates drawing vertical and horizontal lines
- Undresses with help for fasteners
- Kicks a ball with either foot
- Simple sorting of objects (color, shape, size)
- Puts on shoes (may have the wrong foot)
3 to 5 Years Old
- Able to cut paper into 2 pieces, trace lines, and unbutton buttons
- Can pedal and steer tricycle
- Completes a 4-5 piece puzzle
- Buttons and unbuttons medium sized buttons
- Dresses and undresses without much help
- Brushes own teeth
5 Years and Older
- Learning to ride a two-wheeled bicycle
- Able to skip, run, gallop, and stop
- Able to engage in tumbling, swimming, singing, and ball games
Social Milestones
Birth to 3 Months
- Follows moving toys or faces with their eyes
- Responds to loud noises
- Looks at caregiver with interest
- Responds to a smile with a smile
3 to 6 Months
- Pays attention to music
- Notices toys that make sounds
6 to 9 Months
- Likes to play peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake
- Waves bye
- Lets go of objects intentionally
- Plays peek-a-boo
- Engages with reflection in the mirror
9 to 12 Months
- Cooperates with dressing activities
- Follows a ball while it is rolling slowly
- Finds a toy after watching you hide it under a cloth
12 to 24 Months
- Likes to pretend play
- Recognizes self in mirror
2 to 3 Years Old
- Can follow 2-step directions (Get the book and put it on the table)
- Puts their clothes on by themselves (3 years old)
- Can take turns in games
3 to 5 Years Old
- Talks about activities at school or at friends homes
- Bathes self (4-5 years old)
5 Years and Older
- Tells stories and sticks to the topic
- Has friends and a social group at school, neighborhood, and outside activities
- Chooses own clothing
- Can make a sandwich and can assist with house chores