Child development
Early Childhood Developmental Milestones: Ages 0 to 6
Developmental milestones are skills most children show by a certain age — like smiling, walking, talking and playing with others. Children develop at their own pace, so milestones are a guide rather than a deadline. The milestones below are approximate and are based on widely used US public health guidance, in which most children (about three in four) show a skill by the listed age.
Last reviewed · Educational information only
Birth to 12 months
| Age | Movement | Hands & play | Communication & social |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 months | Holds head up during tummy time | Opens hands briefly | Smiles when you talk; looks at faces |
| 4 months | Pushes up on forearms; holds head steady | Brings hands to mouth; holds a toy | Coos; smiles to get attention |
| 6 months | Rolls front to back; leans on hands to sit | Reaches for toys; passes between hands | Laughs; takes turns making sounds |
| 9 months | Sits without support | Bangs objects together | Responds to name; babbles "mamama" |
| 12 months | Pulls to stand; walks holding furniture | Picks up small items with thumb and finger | Waves bye-bye; says a word like "mama"; plays games like pat-a-cake |
1 to 3 years
| Age | Movement | Hands & play | Communication & social |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months | Takes a few steps alone | Stacks two small objects | Tries one or two words besides names; points to ask |
| 18 months | Walks alone; climbs on furniture | Scribbles; drinks from a cup | Tries three or more words; follows one-step directions |
| 2 years | Kicks a ball; runs | Uses a spoon; turns pages | Says two-word phrases; points to things in a book |
| 30 months | Jumps off the ground with both feet | Twists doorknobs or lids | Says about 50 words; names things in a book |
| 3 years | Climbs playground equipment | Strings items; puts on some clothes | Talks in conversation with back-and-forth; asks who/what/where |
4 to 6 years
| Age | Movement | Hands & play | Communication & social |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 years | Catches a large ball most of the time | Draws a person with three or more parts; unbuttons | Says sentences of four or more words; tells what happens in a story |
| 5 years | Hops on one foot | Writes some letters; buttons some buttons | Tells a story with at least two events; follows rules in games |
| 6 years | Skips; balances on one foot | Uses scissors along a line; prints name | Holds conversations; understands simple jokes; cooperates in play |
Sensory development to watch
Sensory responses are less often listed in milestone charts, but parents frequently notice them. Consider discussing it with a professional if your child shows intense, persistent reactions to everyday sensations that limit eating, dressing, sleep or play. Read our sensory processing guide.
When to act
- If your child has lost skills they once had, talk with your doctor promptly
- If your child is not meeting several milestones for their age
- If you have a gut feeling that something isn't right
- Ask about developmental screening at well-child visits — the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends routine screening at specific ages
Try our interactive developmental checklist to organize observations, and see guides on fine motor, gross motor and speech and language development.
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