Child development milestone checker: 6 months to 5 years

Milestones by 6 months

Knows familiar peopleSocial
LaughsSocial
Takes turns making sounds with youTalking
Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)Talking
Rolls from tummy to backMoving
Leans on hands to support themselves when sittingMoving

Milestones by 9 months

Is shy, clingy or fearful around strangersSocial
Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-booSocial
Makes different sounds like “mamamama” and “babababa”Talking
Lifts arms up to be picked upTalking
Looks when you call their nameThinking
Sits without supportMoving

Milestones by 12 months

Plays games with you, like pat-a-cakeSocial
Waves bye-byeTalking
Calls a parent “mama”, “dada” or another special nameTalking
Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops)Talking
Pulls up to stand and walks holding on to furnitureMoving
Picks things up between thumb and pointer fingerMoving

Milestones by 15 months

Shows you an object they likeSocial
Tries to say one or two words besides “mama” or “dada”Talking
Looks at a familiar object when you name itTalking
Points to ask for something or to get helpTalking
Copies other children while playingThinking
Takes a few steps on their ownMoving

Milestones by 18 months

Moves away from you but looks to make sure you are close bySocial
Points to show you something interestingSocial
Tries to say three or more words besides “mama” or “dada”Talking
Follows one-step directions without gestures, like “Give it to me”Talking
Tries to use things the right way, like a phone, cup or bookThinking
Walks without holding on to anyone or anythingMoving

Milestones by 2 years

Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situationSocial
Points to things in a book when you askTalking
Says at least two words together, like “more milk”Talking
Points to at least two body parts when you askTalking
Uses gestures beyond waving and pointing, like nodding or blowing a kissTalking
Kicks a ball and runsMoving

Milestones by 2½ years

Plays next to other children and sometimes with themSocial
Says about 50 wordsTalking
Says two or more words together with an action word, like “doggie run”Talking
Names things in a book when you point and askTalking
Uses things to pretend, like feeding a dollThinking
Follows two-step instructions, like “Put the toy down and close the door”Thinking

Milestones by 3 years

Notices other children and joins them to playSocial
Has a conversation with at least two back-and-forth exchangesTalking
Asks “who”, “what”, “where” or “why” questionsTalking
Says their first name when askedTalking
Talks well enough for others to understand most of the timeTalking
Draws a circle when you show them howMoving

Milestones by 4 years

Pretends to be something else during play, like a teacher or a dogSocial
Comforts others who are hurt or sadSocial
Says sentences with four or more wordsTalking
Talks about at least one thing that happened during the dayTalking
Answers simple questions, like “What is a coat for?”Talking
Catches a large ball most of the timeMoving

Milestones by 5 years

Follows rules and takes turns when playing gamesSocial
Tells a story with at least two eventsTalking
Answers simple questions about a book or story you readTalking
Keeps a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchangesTalking
Counts to 10 and names some lettersThinking
Hops on one footMoving

Adapted from the CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” milestones (2022). These are skills most children (about 3 in 4) have by each age. At any age, a loss of skills a child once had is a reason to see a professional straight away.

Questions parents ask

What if my child has missed one milestone?

Every child is different, and one missed item is not a diagnosis. These are things most children can do by that age, so a missed milestone is simply a reason to talk to a professional and check.

My child was born early. Which age do I use?

For babies born prematurely, use the corrected age (age from the due date) until about 2 years.

Is this a diagnosis?

No. This checker is a guide to help you decide whether to speak to a professional. Only a qualified clinician can assess your child.

Is my child on track?