Developmental Milestones
Let’s briefly review some of the options more commonly used to monitor children’s development.
Developmental Milestone Checklists and Charts
There are many factors that can influence a child’s development: genetics, gender, social interactions, personal experiences, temperaments and the environment. It is critical that educators understand what is “typical” before they can consider what is “atypical.” Developmental Milestones provide a clear guideline as to what children should be able to do at set age ranges. However, it is important to note that each child in your classroom develops at their own individualized pace, and they will reach certain milestones at various times within the age range.
Developmental Milestone Charts are essential when setting up your classroom environments. Once you know what skills children should be able to do at specific ages, you can then plan developmentally appropriate learning goals, and you can set up your classroom environment with age appropriate materials. Developmental Milestone Charts are also extremely useful to teachers and parents when guiding behaviors. In order to set realistic expectations for children, it is suggested that teachers and parents review all ages and stages of development to understand how milestones evolve. Not only do skills build upon each other, they lay a foundation for the next milestone that’s to come. Developmental Milestone Charts are usually organized into 4 Domains: Physical, Cognitive, Language, and Social -Emotional.
Table 3.1 – Gross Motor Milestones from 2 Months to 2 Years
| Typical Age | What Most Children Do by This Age |
|---|---|
| 2 months | Can hold head up and begins to push up when lying on tummy
Makes smoother movements with arms and legs |
|
4 months |
Holds head steady, unsupported
Pushes down on legs when feet are on a hard surface May be able to roll over from tummy to back Brings hands to mouth When lying on stomach, pushes up to elbows |
|
6 months |
Rolls over in both directions (front to back, back to front)
Begins to sit without support When standing, supports weight on legs and might bounce Rocks back and forth, sometimes crawling backward before moving forward |
|
9 months |
Stands, holding on
Can get into sitting position Sits without support Pulls to stand Crawls |
|
1 year |
Gets to a sitting position without help
Pulls up to stand, walks holding on to furniture (“cruising”) May take a few steps without holding on May stand alone |
|
18 months |
Walks alone
May walk up steps and run Pulls toys while walking Can help undress self |
|
2 years |
Stands on tiptoe
Kicks a ball Begins to run Climbs onto and down from furniture without help Walks up and down stairs holding on Throws ball overhand |
Table 3.2 – Fine Motor Milestones from 2 Months to 2 Years1
| Typical Age | What Most Children Do by This Age |
|---|---|
|
2 months |
Grasps reflexively
Does not reach for objects Holds hands in fist |
|
4 months |
Brings hands to mouth
Uses hands and eyes together, such as seeing a toy and reaching for it Follows moving things with eyes from side to side Can hold a toy with whole hand (palmar grasp) and shake it and swing at dangling toys |
|
6 months |
Reaches with both arms
Brings things to mouth Begins to pass things from one hand to the other |
|
9 months |
Puts things in mouth
Moves things smoothly from one hand to the other Picks up things between thumb and index finger (pincer grip) |
|
1 year |
Reaches with one hand
Bangs two things together Puts things in a container, takes things out of a container Lets things go without help Pokes with index (pointer) finger |
|
18 months |
Scribbles on own
Can help undress herself Drinks from a cup Eats with a spoon with some accuracy Stacks 2-4 objects |
|
2 years |
Builds towers of 4 or more blocks
Might use one hand more than the other Makes copies of straight lines and circles Enjoys pouring and filling Unbuttons large buttons Unzips large zippers Drinks and feeds self with more accuracy |
Table 3.3 – Cognitive Milestones from 2 Months to 2 Years15
| Typical Age | What Most Children Do by This Age |
|---|---|
|
2 months |
Pays attention to faces
Begins to follow things with eyes and recognize people at a distance Begins to act bored (cries, fussy) if activity doesn’t change |
|
4 months |
Lets you know if she is happy or sad
Responds to affection Reaches for toy with one hand Uses hands and eyes together, such as seeing a toy and reaching for it Follows moving things with eyes from side to side Watches faces closely Recognizes familiar people and things at a distance |
|
6 months |
Looks around at things nearby
Brings things to mouth Shows curiosity about things and tries to get things that are out of reach Begins to pass things from one hand to the other |
|
9 months |
Watches the path of something as it falls
Looks for things he sees you hide Plays peek-a-boo Puts things in mouth Moves things smoothly from one hand to the other Picks up things like cereal o’s between thumb and index finger |
|
1 year |
Explores things in different ways, like shaking, banging, throwing
Finds hidden things easily Looks at the right picture or thing when it’s named Copies gestures Starts to use things correctly; for example, drinks from a cup, brushes hair Bangs two things together Puts things in a container, takes things out of a container Lets things go without help Pokes with index (pointer) finger Follows simple directions like “pick up the toy” |
| 18 months | Knows what ordinary things are for; for example, telephone, brush, spoon
Points to get the attention of others Shows interest in a doll or stuffed animal by pretending to feed Points to one body part Scribbles on own Can follow 1-step verbal commands without any gestures; for example, sits when you say “sit down” |
| 2 years | Finds things even when hidden under two or three covers
Begins to sort shapes and colors Completes sentences and rhymes in familiar books Plays simple make-believe games Builds towers of 4 or more blocks Might use one hand more than the other Follows two-step instructions such as “Pick up your shoes and put them in the closet.” Names items in a picture book such as a cat, bird, or dog |
Table 3.4 – Language Milestones from 2 Months to 2 Years 16
| Typical Age | What Most Children Do By This Age |
|---|---|
| 2 months | Coos, makes gurgling sounds
Turns head toward sounds |
|
4 months |
Begins to babble
Babbles with expression and copies sounds he hears Cries in different ways to show hunger, pain, or being tired |
|
6 months |
Responds to sounds by making sounds
Strings vowels together when babbling (“ah,” “eh,” “oh”) and likes taking turns with parent while making sounds Responds to own name Makes sounds to show joy and displeasure Begins to say consonant sounds (jabbering with “m,” “b”) |
|
9 months |
Understands “no”
Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa” Copies sounds and gestures of others Uses fingers to point at things |
|
1 year |
Responds to simple spoken requests
Uses simple gestures, like shaking head “no” or waving “bye-bye” Makes sounds with changes in tone (sounds more like speech) Says “mama” and “dada” and exclamations like “uh-oh!” Tries to say words you say |
|
18 months |
Says several single words
Says and shakes head now Points to show others what is wanted |
|
2 years |
Points to things or pictures when they are named
Knows names of familiar people and body parts Says sentences with 2 to 4 words Follows simple instructions Repeats words overheard in conversation Points to things in a book |
Table 3.5 – Social and Emotional Milestones from 2 Months to 2 Years 17
| Typical Age | What Most Children Do By This Age |
|---|---|
|
2 months |
Begins to smile at people
Can briefly calm self (may bring hands to mouth and suck on hand) Tries to look at parent |
|
4 months |
Smiles spontaneously, especially at people
Likes to play with people and might cry when playing stops Copies some movements and facial expressions, like smiling or frowning |
|
6 months |
Knows familiar faces and begins to know if someone is a stranger
Likes to play with others, especially parents Responds to other people’s emotions and often seems happy Likes to look at self in a mirror |
|
9 months |
May be afraid of strangers
May be clingy with familiar adults Has favorite toys |
|
1 year |
Is shy or nervous with strangers
Cries when mom or dad leaves Has favorite things and people Shows fear in some situations Hands you a book when she wants to hear a story Repeats sounds or actions to get attention Puts out arm or leg to help with dressing Plays games such as “peek-a-boo” and “pat-a-cake” |
|
18 months |
Likes to hand things to others as play
May have temper tantrums May be afraid of strangers Shows affection to familiar people Plays simple pretend, such as feeding a doll May cling to caregivers in new situations Points to show others something interesting Explores alone but with parent close by |
|
2 years |
Copies others, especially adults and older children
Gets excited when with other children Shows more and more independence Shows defiant behavior (doing what he has been told not to) Plays mainly beside other children, but is beginning to include other children, such as in chase games |
Table 15.6 – Gross Motor Milestones from 3 Years to 5 Years18
| Typical Age | What Most Children Do by This Age |
|---|---|
|
3 years |
Climbs well
Runs easily Pedals a tricycle (3-wheel bike) Walks up and down stairs, one foot on each step |
| 4 years | Hops and stands on one foot up to 2 seconds
Catches a bounced ball most of the time |
|
5 years |
Stands on one foot for 10 seconds or longer
Hops; may be able to skip Can do a somersault Can use the toilet on own Swings and climbs |
Table 15.7 – Fine Motor Milestones from 3 Years to 5 Years 19
| Typical Age | What Most Children Do by This Age |
|---|---|
|
3 years |
Copies a circle with pencil or crayon
Turns book pages one at a time Builds towers of more than 6 blocks Screws and unscrews jar lids or turns door handle |
| 4 years | Pours, cuts with supervision, and mashes own food
Draws a person with 2 to 4 body parts Uses scissors Starts to copy some capital letters |
| 5 years | Can draw a person with at least 6 body parts
Can print some letters or numbers Copies a triangle and other geometric shapes Uses a fork and spoon and sometimes a table knife |
Table 15.8 – Cognitive Milestones from 3 Years to 5 Years 20
| Typical Age | What Most Children Do by This Age |
|---|---|
|
3 years |
Can work toys with buttons, levers, and moving parts
Plays make-believe with dolls, animals, and people Does puzzles with 3 or 4 pieces Understands what “two” means |
|
4 years |
Names some colors and some numbers
Understands the idea of counting Starts to understand time Remembers parts of a story Understands the idea of “same” and “different” Plays board or card games Tells you what he thinks is going to happen next in a book |
| 5 years | Counts 10 or more things
Knows about things used every day, like money and food |
Table 15.9 – Language Milestones from 3 Years to 5 Years 21
| Typical Age | What Most Children Do By This Age |
|---|---|
|
3 years |
Follows instructions with 2 or 3 steps
Can name most familiar things Understands words like “in,” “on,” and “under” Says first name, age, and sex Names a friend Says words like “I,” “me,” “we,” and “you” and some plurals (cars, dogs, cats) Talks well enough for strangers to understand most of the time Carries on a conversation using 2 to 3 sentences |
| 4 years | Knows some basic rules of grammar, such as correctly using “he” and “she”
Sings a song or says a poem from memory such as the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” or the “Wheels on the Bus” Tells stories Can say first and last name |
| 5 years | Speaks very clearly
Tells a simple story using full sentences Uses future tense; for example, “Grandma will be here.” Says name and address |
Table 15.10 – Social and Emotional Milestones from 3 Years to 5 Years 22
| Typical Age | What Most Children Do by This Age |
|---|---|
|
3 years |
Copies adults and friends
Shows affection for friends without prompting Takes turns in games Shows concern for a crying friend Dresses and undresses self Understands the idea of “mine” and “his” or “hers” Shows a wide range of emotions Separates easily from mom and dad May get upset with major changes in routine |
|
4 years |
Enjoys doing new things
Is more and more creative with make-believe play Would rather play with other children than by self Cooperates with other children Plays “mom” or “dad” Often can’t tell what’s real and what’s make-believe Talks about what she likes and what she is interested in |
|
5 years |
Wants to please friends
Wants to be like friends More likely to agree with rules Likes to sing, dance, and act Is aware of gender Can tell what’s real and what’s make-believe Shows more independence Is sometimes demanding and sometimes very cooperative |
