Child Development Milestones by Age: Birth to 5 Years

What are child development milestones?

Child development milestones are specific physical, cognitive, emotional, and social skills or behaviors that most children achieve by a certain age. These milestones act as benchmarks that can help parents, educators, and caregivers understand whether a child’s development is on track. They encompass a wide range of abilities, such as sitting, walking, speaking, problem-solving, and interacting with others.

The CDC describes developmental milestones as things most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age. While each child may progress differently, tracking these milestones provides valuable insights into their growth and helps identify areas where additional support might be needed.

Why do child development milestones matter?

Understanding child development milestones is essential for creating nurturing environments that support a child’s overall well-being. These milestones help caregivers identify typical developmental progress, enabling early detection of potential delays or challenges.

By addressing developmental concerns early, families and educators can provide targeted support, fostering a child’s ability to thrive.

Additionally, milestones offer a roadmap for encouraging age-appropriate activities, interactions, and learning experiences, ensuring that every child feels supported as they grow and explore the world around them.

Activities Across Developmental Domains

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What are the developmental milestones by age?

The table below shows one example milestone per developmental domain at each CDC checkpoint. Select an age in the first column to jump to the full checklist for that age.

Milestones by age: 2 months to 5 years

Each list below follows the CDC’s checklist for that age and groups milestones by developmental domain. A milestone is something most children (75% or more) can do by that age, so a child may reach some sooner and others a little later.

Milestones by 2 months

• Social and emotional: Calms down when spoken to or picked up; looks at your face; seems happy to see you when you walk up; smiles when you talk to or smile at them.
• Language and communication: Makes sounds other than crying; reacts to loud sounds.
• Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving): Watches you as you move; looks at a toy for several seconds.
• Movement and physical development: Holds head up when on tummy; moves both arms and both legs; opens hands briefly.

See the CDC checklist for 2 months.

Milestones by 4 months

• Social and emotional: Smiles on their own to get your attention; chuckles (not yet a full laugh) when you try to make them laugh; looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention.
• Language and communication: Makes sounds like “oooo” and “aahh” (cooing); makes sounds back when you talk to them; turns head toward the sound of your voice.
• Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving): If hungry, opens mouth when they see a breast or bottle; looks at their hands with interest.
• Movement and physical development: Holds head steady without support when you are holding them; holds a toy when you put it in their hand; uses an arm to swing at toys; brings hands to mouth; pushes up onto elbows or forearms when on tummy.

See the CDC checklist for 4 months.

Milestones by 6 months

• Social and emotional: Knows familiar people; likes to look at themselves in a mirror; laughs.
• Language and communication: Takes turns making sounds with you; blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows); makes squealing noises.
• Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving): Puts things in their mouth to explore them; reaches to grab a toy they want; closes lips to show they do not want more food.
• Movement and physical development: Rolls from tummy to back; pushes up with straight arms when on tummy; leans on hands to support themselves when sitting.

See the CDC checklist for 6 months.

Milestones by 9 months

• Social and emotional: Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers; shows several facial expressions, like happy, sad, angry, and surprised; looks when you call their name; reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries); smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo.
• Language and communication: Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa”; lifts arms up to be picked up.
• Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving): Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like a spoon or toy); bangs two things together.
• Movement and physical development: Gets to a sitting position by themselves; moves things from one hand to the other; uses fingers to “rake” food toward themselves; sits without support.

See the CDC checklist for 9 months.

Milestones by 1 year

• Social and emotional: Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake.
• Language and communication: Waves “bye-bye”; calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name; understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it).
• Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving): Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup; looks for things they see you hide, like a toy under a blanket.
• Movement and physical development: Pulls up to stand; walks, holding on to furniture; drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it; picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food.

See the CDC checklist for 1 year.

Milestones by 15 months

• Social and emotional: Copies other children while playing, like taking toys out of a container when another child does; shows you an object they like; claps when excited; hugs a stuffed doll or other toy; shows you affection (hugs, cuddles, or kisses you).
• Language and communication: 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, like giving 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 (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 and physical development: Takes a few steps on their own; uses fingers to feed themselves some food.

See the CDC checklist for 15 months.

Milestones by 18 months

• Social and emotional: 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 them by pushing an arm through a sleeve or lifting up a foot.
• Language and communication: Tries to say three or more words besides “mama” or “dada”; follows one-step directions without any gestures, like giving you a toy when you say, “Give it to me”.
• Cognitive (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 and physical development: Walks without holding on to anyone or anything; scribbles; drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes; feeds themselves with their fingers; tries to use a spoon; climbs on and off a couch or chair without help.

See the CDC checklist for 18 months.

Milestones by 2 years

• Social and emotional: 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 and communication: 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 them to show you; uses more gestures than just waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes.
• Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving): Holds something in one hand while using the other hand, like 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 and physical development: Kicks a ball; runs; walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help; eats with a spoon.

See the CDC checklist for 2 years.

Milestones by 30 months

• Social and emotional: Plays next to other children and sometimes plays with them; shows you what they 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 and communication: 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 (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 they know at least one color, like pointing to a red crayon when you ask, “Which one is red?”.
• Movement and physical development: Uses hands to twist things, like turning doorknobs or unscrewing lids; takes some clothes off by themselves, like loose pants or an open jacket; jumps off the ground with both feet; turns book pages, one at a time, when you read together.

See the CDC checklist for 30 months.

Milestones by 3 years

• Social and emotional: Calms down within 10 minutes after you leave, like at a childcare drop-off; notices other children and joins them to play.
• Language and communication: 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 (learning, thinking, problem-solving): Draws a circle, when you show them how; avoids touching hot objects, like a stove, when you warn them.
• Movement and physical development: Strings items together, like large beads or macaroni; puts on some clothes by themselves, like loose pants or a jacket; uses a fork.

See the CDC checklist for 3 years.

Milestones by 4 years

• Social and emotional: Pretends to be something else during play (teacher, superhero, dog); asks to go play with children if none are around, like “Can I play with Alex?”; comforts others who are hurt or sad, like hugging a crying friend; avoids danger, like not jumping from tall heights at the playground; likes to be a “helper”; changes behavior based on where they are (place of worship, library, playground).
• Language and communication: Says sentences with four or more words; says some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme; talks about at least one thing that happened during their day, like “I played soccer”; answers simple questions like “What is a coat for?” or “What is a crayon for?”.
• Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving): Names a few colors of items; tells what comes next in a well-known story; draws a person with three or more body parts.
• Movement and physical development: Catches a large ball most of the time; serves themselves food or pours water, with adult supervision; unbuttons some buttons; holds a crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb (not a fist).

See the CDC checklist for 4 years.

Milestones by 5 years

• Social and emotional: 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 and communication: Tells a story they heard or made up with at least two events, like a cat stuck in a tree and a firefighter who saved it; answers simple questions about a book or story after you read or tell it to them; keeps a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges; uses or recognizes simple rhymes (bat-cat, ball-tall).
• Cognitive (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, like story time or making arts and crafts (screen time does not count); writes some letters in their name; names some letters when you point to them.
• Movement and physical development: Buttons some buttons; hops on one foot.

See the CDC checklist for 5 years.

How do milestones differ by developmental domain?

CDC checklists group milestones into four domains. The descriptions below explain each one and point to the ages where you can see it in action.

Cognitive development

Cognitive development involves how children think, explore, and figure things out. It includes the development of knowledge, skills, and problem-solving abilities that help children understand the world around them. Examples range from looking at a toy for several seconds at 2 months, to looking for hidden objects at 1 year, to counting to 10 at 5 years.

Language development

Language development is the process by which children come to understand and communicate during early childhood. This includes cooing, babbling, speaking, and understanding what others say. Examples range from cooing at 4 months, to saying about 50 words at 30 months, to keeping a conversation going at 5 years.

Motor skills development

Motor skills are the movements and actions of the muscles. They are categorized into two groups: gross motor skills, which involve larger muscles for activities like rolling, sitting, and walking, and fine motor skills, which involve smaller muscles for actions like grasping and writing. Examples range from holding the head steady at 4 months, to picking up small bits of food between thumb and pointer finger at 1 year, to hopping on one foot at 5 years.

Social and emotional development

Social and emotional development is a child’s ability to understand the feelings of others, control their own feelings and behaviors, and get along with their peers. Examples range from smiling when spoken to at 2 months, to being shy around strangers at 9 months, to comforting a crying friend at 4 years.

How can you support child development milestones?

Childcare programs are uniquely positioned to support development through structured activities and social interaction. By offering age-appropriate learning centers, encouraging peer collaboration, and providing a variety of sensory experiences, educators can help children build crucial skills.

A supportive and stimulating environment can make a significant difference. Here are a few ways your program can foster development:

• Engage in play: Play is a child’s primary way of learning. Get on the floor with children, follow their lead, and have fun together.
• Read daily: Reading together builds language skills, introduces new concepts, and strengthens bonds between educators and children.
• Talk and listen: Narrate the day, ask open-ended questions, and listen patiently to their responses to encourage communication.
• Create routines: Predictable routines for meals, play, and sleep help children feel secure and understand expectations.

Childcare management software like brightwheel supports your efforts in the classroom. The built-in features allow you to easily track developmental milestones, share progress with families through daily reports and photos, and plan curriculum that targets specific developmental domains. This seamless communication ensures that everyone in a child’s life is working together to support their growth.

For curriculum planning, brightwheel’s Experience Curriculum offers expert-designed lesson plans aligned with all 50 states’ early learning standards, with digital lessons in brightwheel, hands-on materials mailed monthly, and daily embedded assessments. Flexible plans are available for baby, toddler, and preschool. You can also explore brightwheel learning to track observations and record learning milestones, and see how a preschool progress report helps you share each child’s growth with families. Across programs, 95% of admins and staff report that brightwheel improves communication with families.

When should you talk to a doctor about milestones?

The CDC advises acting early if a child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills they once had, or if you have other concerns. Talk with the child’s doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening. If you or the doctor are still concerned, ask for a referral to a specialist and contact your state or territory’s early intervention program to find out whether the child can get services. You can learn more about early childhood intervention and common signs of developmental delays on the brightwheel blog.

Milestone checklists are a form of developmental monitoring, which anyone who cares for a child can do. Developmental screening is a more formal step, done with validated questionnaires by trained professionals. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the following screening schedule, as described by the CDC.

CDC checklists are not a substitute for standardized, validated developmental screening tools. Families can also use the CDC’s free Milestone Tracker app for iOS and Android to check milestones and bring questions to a doctor’s visit.

FAQ: Common questions about child development milestones

What are child development milestones?

Child development milestones are behavioral or physical checkpoints in a child’s growth. They include skills like walking, talking, and problem-solving, and are often categorized by age ranges. The CDC describes them as things most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age.

These milestones provide a general guideline for typical child development across physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains.

Why are milestones important for childcare providers?

Milestones help providers understand each child’s developmental progress and identify areas where additional support may be needed. Monitoring milestones also enables early detection of potential delays, allowing timely intervention to better support a child’s growth and learning.

What should I do if a child is not meeting a milestone?

It’s important to approach this with sensitivity and communicate with the child’s family. Encourage open conversations and provide examples of observations. Suggest talking with the child’s doctor about developmental screening, and share your state or territory’s early intervention program if families want to ask about services. Remember, every child develops at their own pace, and small variations are normal.

How can I support children in reaching milestones?

Offer age-appropriate activities and provide a safe and stimulating environment tailored to their needs. For example, encourage fine motor skills through hands-on crafts or support language development with storytime and songs. Consistent encouragement and positive reinforcement can make a big difference.

Are milestones the same for every child?

No, milestones are general guidelines, not strict rules. Each child’s development is influenced by factors like genetics, environment, and experiences. Some children may reach milestones earlier or later than others, and that’s okay.

How can I talk to parents about developmental concerns?

Choose a private, calm setting to discuss concerns with compassion and clarity. Share specific observations and examples while highlighting the child’s strengths. Provide resources and be supportive in helping families take the next steps if assessments or interventions are needed.

At what age do most children start walking?

According to the CDC’s milestone checklists, most children (75% or more) walk while holding on to furniture by 1 year, take a few steps on their own by 15 months, and walk without holding on to anyone or anything by 18 months.

What is the difference between developmental monitoring and developmental screening?

Developmental monitoring is observing how a child grows and changes over time to see whether they are reaching milestones, and anyone who cares for the child can do it. Developmental screening is a more formal step that uses validated questionnaires or checklists and is done by trained professionals, such as a child’s health care provider.

When should a child be screened for developmental delays?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends developmental screening for all children at the 9-month, 18-month, and 30-month well-child visits, and autism-specific screening at 18 and 24 months. A child should also be screened at other times if a family or doctor has a concern about development.

By staying informed and building strong communication with families, childcare providers can play an integral role in supporting each child’s unique developmental path.

Partnering in a child’s journey

Understanding and observing child development milestones is an essential part of supporting young children. These markers help families and educators provide the right environment and activities to nurture growth in all domains. Remember that development is a journey, not a race. Each child will progress at their own speed.

By fostering a partnership between home and your childcare program, you can create a consistent and supportive network for every child.