Social/Emotional Milestones

• Calms down when spoken to or picked up 
• Looks at your face 
• Seems happy to see you when you walk up to her 
• Smiles when you talk to or smile at her 

Language/Communication Milestones

• Makes sounds other than crying 
• Reacts to loud sounds 

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Watches you as you move 
• Looks at a toy for several seconds 

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Holds head up when on tummy 
• Moves both arms and both legs 
• Opens hands briefly 

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Smiles on his own to get your attention 
• Chuckles (not yet a full laugh) when you try to make him laugh 
• Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention 

Language/Communication Milestones

• Makes sounds like “oooo”, “aahh” (cooing) 
• Makes sounds back when you talk to him 
• Turns head towards the sound of your voice 

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving

• If hungry, opens mouth when he sees breast or bottle
• Looks at her hands with interest 

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Holds head steady without support when you are holding him 
• Holds a toy when you put it in his hand 
• Uses his arm to swing at toys 
• Brings hands to mouth 
• Pushes up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy

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 she 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
• Shifts weight and reaches for a toy while on tummy.
• Reaches for a toy while sitting without support for brief intervals
• Sits unsupported for 60 seconds
• Pulls to sit

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers 
• Shows several facial expressions, like happy, sad, angry, and surprised
• Looks when you call her name 
• Reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries) 
• Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo

Language/Communication Milestones

• Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa” 
• Lifts arms up to be picked up) 

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like his spoon or toy) 
• Bangs two things together 

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Gets to a sitting position by herself 
• Moves things from one hand to her other hand
• Uses fingers to “rake” food towards himself 
• Sits without support while engaging with/manipulating a toy
• Crawls on hands and knees short distances (at least 5 feet)
• Begins to pull to stand at a stable surface 

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake 

Language/Communication Milestones

• Waves “bye-bye” 
• Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name 
• Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it) 

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup 
• Looks for things he sees you hide, like a toy under a blanket 

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Consistently pulls up to stand leading with either leg
• Begins to stand without support for ~3-5 seconds
• Cruising: walks holding on to furniture 
• Walks with 1 hand held
• Begins to walk unsupported 5+ steps
• Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it 
• Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Copies other children while playing, like taking toys out of a container when another child does
• Shows you an object she likes
• Claps when excited 
• Hugs stuffed doll or other toy
• Shows you affection (hugs, cuddles, or kisses you)

Language/Communication Milestones

• Tries to say one or two words besides “mama” or “dada,” like “ba” for ball or “da” for dog 
• Looks at a familiar object when you name it 
• Follows directions given with both a gesture and words. For example, he gives you a toy when you hold out your hand and say, “Give me the toy.” 
• Points to ask for something or to get help 

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Tries to use things the right way, like a phone, cup, or book
• Stacks at least two small objects, like blocks 

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Continues to increase distance walking without support ~10 feet
• Begins to crawl up and down 2-3 steps
• Uses fingers to feed herself some food

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Moves away from you, but looks to make sure you are close by 
• Points to show you something interesting
• Puts hands out for you to wash them
• Looks at a few pages in a book with you
• Helps you dress him by pushing arm through sleeve or lifting up foot 

Language/Communication Milestones

• Tries to say three or more words besides “mama” or “dada” 
• Follows one-step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, “Give it to me.” 

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom 
• Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Walks independently
• Walks up 4 steps with support from the wall or railing, and begins to walk down stairs with handheld support. 
• Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help
• Scribbles
• Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes
• Feeds himself with his fingers
• Tries to use a spoon

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Notices when others are hurt or upset, like pausing or looking sad when someone is crying
• Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation 

Language/Communication Milestones

• Points to things in a book when you ask, like “Where is the bear?” 
• Says at least two words together, like “More milk.” 
• Points to at least two body parts when you ask him to show you 
• Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes 

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Holds something in one hand while using the other hand; for example, holding a container and taking the lid off 
• Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons on a toy
• Plays with more than one toy at the same time, like putting toy food on a toy plate

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Kicks and throws a ball
• Runs 
• Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs consistently
• Eats with a spoon
• Jumps off the ground with both feet
  

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Plays next to other children and sometimes plays with them 
• Shows you what she can do by saying, “Look at me!” 
• Follows simple routines when told, like helping to pick up toys when you say, “It’s clean-up time.” 

Language/Communication Milestones

• Says about 50 words 
• Says two or more words together, with one action word, like “Doggie run” 
• Names things in a book when you point and ask, “What is this?” 
• Says words like “I,” “me,” or “we” 

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Uses things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll as if it were food 
• Shows simple problem-solving skills, like standing on a small stool to reach something 
• Follows two-step instructions like “Put the toy down and close the door.” 
• Shows he knows at least one color, like pointing to a red crayon when you ask, “Which one is red?” 

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Uses hands to twist things, like turning doorknobs or unscrewing lids
• Takes some clothes off by himself, like loose pants or an open jacket
• Turns book pages, one at a time, when you read to her
• Walks up a few stairs with 1 foot per stair with support from the wall or railing 

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Calms down within 10 minutes after you leave her, like at a childcare drop off 
• Notices other children and joins them to play 

Language/Communication Milestones

• Talks with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges 
• Asks “who,” “what,” “where,” or “why” questions, like “Where is mommy/daddy?” 
• Says what action is happening in a picture or book when asked, like “running,” “eating,” or “playing” 
• Says first name, when asked 
• Talks well enough for others to understand, most of the time 

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Draws a circle, when you show him how 
• Avoids touching hot objects, like a stove, when you warn her 

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Strings items together, like large beads or macaroni
• Puts on some clothes by himself, like loose pants or a jacket
• Uses a fork
• Walks up stairs 1 foot per stair without support
• Jumps down using both feet

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Follows rules or takes turns when playing games with other children
• Sings, dances, or acts for you 
• Does simple chores at home, like matching socks or clearing the table after eating

Language/Communication Milestones

• Tells a story she heard or made up with at least two events. For example, a cat was stuck in a tree and a firefighter saved it 
• Answers simple questions about a book or story after you read or tell it to him 
• Keeps a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges 
• Uses or recognizes simple rhymes (bat-cat, ball-tall) 

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Counts to 10 
• Names some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them 
• Uses words about time, like “yesterday,” “tomorrow,” “morning,” or “night” 
• Pays attention for 5 to 10 minutes during activities. For example, during story time or making arts and crafts (screen time does not count) 
• Writes some letters in her name 
• Names some letters when you point to them 

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Buttons some buttons 
• Hops on one foot

Hand and Finger Skills

• Copies triangle and other shapes
• Draws person with body
• Prints some letters
• Dresses and undresses without help
• Uses fork, spoon and (sometimes) a table knife
• Usually cares for own toilet needs
• Stands on 1 foot for 10 seconds. 
• Begins to skip.