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Advice & Facts

Developmental Milestones

Children develop skills and reach milestones at their own pace. These guidelines offer general expectations for progress during these stages.

Infant lying on stomach and propped on elbows with a toy in front of him

First Year

0-3 months

  • Turns head to both sides while on back
  • Bears weight on forearms / hands while on belly
  • Watches a speaker's mouth
  • Quiets to familiar voices
  • Vocalizes to show pleasure

3-6 months

  • Sits with support
  • Rolls from back to belly/ belly to back
  • Turns head toward sound
  • Smiles in response to speech
  • Makes raspberries
  • Reaches / grasps for objects
  • Makes eye contact

6-9 months

  • Sits independently
  • Scoots backwards
  • Imitates gestures
  • Begins to babble
  • Shouts or vocalizes to gain attention
  • Transfers objects between hands
  • Rakes small objects to pick up (like Cheerios™)

9-12 months

  • Pulls up to stand; stands briefly with no support
  • Crawls / creeps forward
  • Says "mama" and "dada;" babbles
  • Waves hi / bye
  • Picks up small objects with fingertips
  • Holds own bottle / sippy cup
  • Pokes / points with index finger
Toddler outside throwing ball overhead

Second Year

12-15 months

  • Stands alone well
  • Walks with 1 hand held / no support
  • Follows 1-step commands
  • Says 8-10 words

15-18 months

  • Pulls toy behind while walking
  • Walks independently; walks up stairs with 1 hand held
  • Requests assistance
  • Can identify 6 body parts
  • Understands words like "no" and "bye"
  • Says 15 words
  • Holds crayon with whole hand, thumb up
  • Drinks from a cup

18-21 months

  • Moves on riding toys without pedals
  • Walks down stairs with 1 hand held
  • Runs fairly well; dances
  • Pretends to play musical instruments
  • Identifies named pictures
  • Imitates short phrases

21-24 months

  • Jumps in place
  • Throws ball overhand
  • Follows 2-step commands
  • Says 50 words
  • Takes off socks and shoes
  • Uses a spoon; drinks from a straw
  • Points to named body parts / clothing
  • Imitates a vertical line on paper
Girl riding plastic tricycle outside

Age 2 - 2 1/2

  • Runs well; jumps forward
  • Rides a tricycle
  • Throws and kicks a ball
  • Understands "big" and "little"
  • Uses 3-word phrases
  • Matches shapes and colors
  • Responds to simple questions
  • Uses pronouns (I, me, my)
  • Completes tasks like stacking or simple puzzles

 

Girl stringing beads at table with teacher and boy in background

Age 2 1/2 - 3 

  • Stands from lying on back using a sit-up
  • Walks up stairs, alternating feet
  • Understands the concept "all"
  • Says first and last name
  • Follows 3-step commands
  • Answers / asks "wh-" questions
  • Speaks in 3-5-word sentences
  • Strings large beads
  • Imitates a horizontal line on paper
  • Helps with dressing / undressing
  • Understands concepts like colors, shapes, and gender differences
Girl kicking soccer ball outside

Age 3 - 4

  • Kicks a stationary ball
  • Jumps from bottom step with both feet
  • Dresses / undresses self (no fasteners)
  • Feeds self with little to no spilling
  • Places small pegs into small holes
  • Strings small beads
  • Holds pencil with tripod grasp (3 fingers)
Boy cutting paper

Age 4 - 5

  • Gallops forward
  • Walks forward while holding a large toy
  • Cuts along a straight /curvy line
  • Manages buttons, snaps, and zippers
  • Copies a cross on paper
  • Feeds self soup with little to no spilling
  • Folds paper neatly in half
  • Puts a key in lock to open
Child sitting on mother's lap with a teddy bear high-fiving a medical professional

Get a Referral: Ask for Easterseals

We strive to empower families and ensure they have the tools needed to build a strong future for their children. If you believe your child needs a little extra help, ask their pediatrician for a referral to Easterseals.