Developmental milestones by age: a calm guide for parents
Every parent compares at some point. The cousin who walked at 10 months, the neighbor's toddler who talks in sentences. Milestone checklists can calm that worry, or feed it, depending on how you read them. Here is how to read them well. For the full picture from birth to 18, see our free child development guide.
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you are worried about your child, talk with your child's doctor.
What changed in 2022
The CDC's "Learn the Signs. Act Early." checklists were revised in 2022 with the American Academy of Pediatrics. The new lists show skills that most children, about 3 in 4, have by each age. The old lists used the age when about half of children had a skill, which encouraged "wait and see" for children who were behind. (Zubler et al., Pediatrics, 2022)
So when a skill on the list has not shown up yet, that does not mean something is wrong. It means it is worth a conversation.
A quick look by age
What most children do by each age, from the CDC checklists (a few items each):
| Age | A few things most children do |
|---|---|
| 6 months | Laughs; rolls from tummy to back; reaches for toys |
| 9 months | Babbles "mamama"; sits without support; looks for hidden things |
| 12 months | Waves bye-bye; pulls up to stand; picks up small food between thumb and finger |
| 18 months | Says three or more words; walks alone; scribbles |
| 2 years | Puts two words together; kicks a ball; runs |
| 30 months | Says about 50 words; jumps with both feet; plays pretend |
| 3 years | Has a conversation with two or more back-and-forth exchanges; asks "why" |
| 4 years | Speaks in sentences of four or more words; names a few colors |
| 5 years | Tells a story with two events; counts to 10; hops on one foot |
Three things to watch more closely
- Several missed milestones, not just one.
- Lost skills. A child who used to say words, walk or make eye contact and no longer does. Mention this to your doctor promptly, at any age.
- Your gut. If you or another caregiver feel something is off, that is reason enough to ask.
What to do next
- Track it. The free CDC Milestone Tracker app lets you check off milestones and share a summary with your doctor.
- Ask for a screening. The AAP recommends general developmental screening at 9, 18 and 30 months, and autism screening at 18 and 24 months, plus any time a parent is concerned. (AAP)
- You can call directly. Under 3: your state's early intervention program, no referral needed (cdc.gov/FindEI). Age 3 and up: your public school district.
The everyday things that help
You do not need special programs. For babies, respond to their sounds and gestures, the back-and-forth researchers call "serve and return." For toddlers and preschoolers, talk, read aloud and play pretend, and wait for their answers. Research links more back-and-forth conversation with stronger language skills. (Romeo et al., 2018)
When your child is close to kindergarten, our free readiness checklist and practice pages and Essentials flashcards (numbers, colors and everyday words, read aloud) make that practice easy.
Read the full guide: Child development, ages 0 to 18. It covers sleep by age, potty training, school-age learning, teens, and when to seek help.
Common questions
What are developmental milestones?
Skills that most children show by a certain age, in four areas: social and emotional, language, thinking and movement. The CDC's checklists cover 2 months to 5 years.
My child missed a milestone. Should I worry?
A missed milestone is not a diagnosis. Children develop at different paces. It is a good reason to talk with your child's doctor and ask about a developmental screening, especially if several milestones are missed or your child has lost a skill.
Do I need a referral for early intervention?
No. For children under 3, you can contact your state's early intervention program yourself; the CDC lists every program at cdc.gov/FindEI. For age 3 and up, contact your local public school district.