Developmental Milestones

Developmental Milestones

CDC’s milestones and parent tips have been updated and new checklist ages have been added (15 and 30 months). Due to COVID-19, updated photos and videos have been delayed but will be added back to this page in the future. For more information about the recent updates to CDC’s developmental milestones, please view the Pediatrics journal article describing the updates.

Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “bye bye” are called developmental milestones. Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move (crawling, walking, etc.).

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Click on the boxes below to review milestones by age

How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves offers important clues about your child’s development. Developmental milestones are things most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age.

What most babies do by this age:

Social/Emotional Milestones
 . Knows familiar people
 . Likes to look at self in a mirror
 . Laughs

Language/Communication Milestones
 . Takes turns making sounds with you
 . Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
 . Makes squealing noises

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving
 . Puts things in her mouth to explore them
 . Reaches to grab a toy he wants
 . Closes lips to show she doesn’t want more food

Movement/Physical Development Milestones
.  Rolls from tummy to back
 . Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
 . Leans on hands to support himself when sitting

Other important things to share with the doctor…
 . What are some things you and your baby do together?
 . What are some things your baby likes to do?
 . Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
 . Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
 . Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

What most babies do by this age:

Social/Emotional Milestones
 . Knows familiar people
 . Likes to look at self in a mirror
 . Laughs

Language/Communication Milestones
 . Takes turns making sounds with you
 . Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
 . Makes squealing noises

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving
 . Puts things in her mouth to explore them
 . Reaches to grab a toy he wants
 . Closes lips to show she doesn’t want more food

Movement/Physical Development Milestones
.  Rolls from tummy to back
 . Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
 . Leans on hands to support himself when sitting

Other important things to share with the doctor…
 . What are some things you and your baby do together?
 . What are some things your baby likes to do?
 . Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
 . Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
 . Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

What most babies do by this age:

Social/Emotional Milestones
 . Knows familiar people
 . Likes to look at self in a mirror
 . Laughs

Language/Communication Milestones
 . Takes turns making sounds with you
 . Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
 . Makes squealing noises

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving
 . Puts things in her mouth to explore them
 . Reaches to grab a toy he wants
 . Closes lips to show she doesn’t want more food

Movement/Physical Development Milestones
.  Rolls from tummy to back
 . Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
 . Leans on hands to support himself when sitting

Other important things to share with the doctor…
 . What are some things you and your baby do together?
 . What are some things your baby likes to do?
 . Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
 . Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
 . Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

What most babies do by this age:

Social/Emotional Milestones
 . Knows familiar people
 . Likes to look at self in a mirror
 . Laughs

Language/Communication Milestones
 . Takes turns making sounds with you
 . Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
 . Makes squealing noises

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving
 . Puts things in her mouth to explore them
 . Reaches to grab a toy he wants
 . Closes lips to show she doesn’t want more food

Movement/Physical Development Milestones
.  Rolls from tummy to back
 . Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
 . Leans on hands to support himself when sitting

Other important things to share with the doctor…
 . What are some things you and your baby do together?
 . What are some things your baby likes to do?
 . Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
 . Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
 . Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

What most babies do by this age:

Social/Emotional Milestones
 . Knows familiar people
 . Likes to look at self in a mirror
 . Laughs

Language/Communication Milestones
 . Takes turns making sounds with you
 . Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
 . Makes squealing noises

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving
 . Puts things in her mouth to explore them
 . Reaches to grab a toy he wants
 . Closes lips to show she doesn’t want more food

Movement/Physical Development Milestones
.  Rolls from tummy to back
 . Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
 . Leans on hands to support himself when sitting

Other important things to share with the doctor…
 . What are some things you and your baby do together?
 . What are some things your baby likes to do?
 . Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
 . Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
 . Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

What most babies do by this age:

Social/Emotional Milestones
 . Knows familiar people
 . Likes to look at self in a mirror
 . Laughs

Language/Communication Milestones
 . Takes turns making sounds with you
 . Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
 . Makes squealing noises

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving
 . Puts things in her mouth to explore them
 . Reaches to grab a toy he wants
 . Closes lips to show she doesn’t want more food

Movement/Physical Development Milestones
.  Rolls from tummy to back
 . Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
 . Leans on hands to support himself when sitting

Other important things to share with the doctor…
 . What are some things you and your baby do together?
 . What are some things your baby likes to do?
 . Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
 . Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
 . Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

What most babies do by this age:

Social/Emotional Milestones
 . Knows familiar people
 . Likes to look at self in a mirror
 . Laughs

Language/Communication Milestones
 . Takes turns making sounds with you
 . Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
 . Makes squealing noises

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving
 . Puts things in her mouth to explore them
 . Reaches to grab a toy he wants
 . Closes lips to show she doesn’t want more food

Movement/Physical Development Milestones
.  Rolls from tummy to back
 . Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
 . Leans on hands to support himself when sitting

Other important things to share with the doctor…
 . What are some things you and your baby do together?
 . What are some things your baby likes to do?
 . Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
 . Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
 . Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

What most babies do by this age:

Social/Emotional Milestones
 . Knows familiar people
 . Likes to look at self in a mirror
 . Laughs

Language/Communication Milestones
 . Takes turns making sounds with you
 . Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
 . Makes squealing noises

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving
 . Puts things in her mouth to explore them
 . Reaches to grab a toy he wants
 . Closes lips to show she doesn’t want more food

Movement/Physical Development Milestones
.  Rolls from tummy to back
 . Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
 . Leans on hands to support himself when sitting

Other important things to share with the doctor…
 . What are some things you and your baby do together?
 . What are some things your baby likes to do?
 . Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
 . Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
 . Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

What most babies do by this age:

Social/Emotional Milestones
 . Knows familiar people
 . Likes to look at self in a mirror
 . Laughs

Language/Communication Milestones
 . Takes turns making sounds with you
 . Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
 . Makes squealing noises

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving
 . Puts things in her mouth to explore them
 . Reaches to grab a toy he wants
 . Closes lips to show she doesn’t want more food

Movement/Physical Development Milestones
.  Rolls from tummy to back
 . Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
 . Leans on hands to support himself when sitting

Other important things to share with the doctor…
 . What are some things you and your baby do together?
 . What are some things your baby likes to do?
 . Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
 . Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
 . Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

What most babies do by this age:

Social/Emotional Milestones
 . Knows familiar people
 . Likes to look at self in a mirror
 . Laughs

Language/Communication Milestones
 . Takes turns making sounds with you
 . Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
 . Makes squealing noises

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving
 . Puts things in her mouth to explore them
 . Reaches to grab a toy he wants
 . Closes lips to show she doesn’t want more food

Movement/Physical Development Milestones
.  Rolls from tummy to back
 . Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
 . Leans on hands to support himself when sitting

Other important things to share with the doctor…
 . What are some things you and your baby do together?
 . What are some things your baby likes to do?
 . Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
 . Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
 . Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

What most babies do by this age:

Social/Emotional Milestones
 . Knows familiar people
 . Likes to look at self in a mirror
 . Laughs

Language/Communication Milestones
 . Takes turns making sounds with you
 . Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
 . Makes squealing noises

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving
 . Puts things in her mouth to explore them
 . Reaches to grab a toy he wants
 . Closes lips to show she doesn’t want more food

Movement/Physical Development Milestones
.  Rolls from tummy to back
 . Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
 . Leans on hands to support himself when sitting

Other important things to share with the doctor…
 . What are some things you and your baby do together?
 . What are some things your baby likes to do?
 . Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
 . Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
 . Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

What most babies do by this age:

Social/Emotional Milestones
 . Knows familiar people
 . Likes to look at self in a mirror
 . Laughs

Language/Communication Milestones
 . Takes turns making sounds with you
 . Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
 . Makes squealing noises

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving
 . Puts things in her mouth to explore them
 . Reaches to grab a toy he wants
 . Closes lips to show she doesn’t want more food

Movement/Physical Development Milestones
.  Rolls from tummy to back
 . Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
 . Leans on hands to support himself when sitting

Other important things to share with the doctor…
 . What are some things you and your baby do together?
 . What are some things your baby likes to do?
 . Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
 . Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
 . Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?