1 month

Moves head from side to side while lying on tummy

Keeps hands in tight fist

Eyes wander and occasionally cross

Startles at loud noises      

Becomes alert when hearing a pleasant sound, like music

2 months

Moves both arms and both legs

Opens hands briefly

Looks at a toy for several seconds

Reacts to loud sounds

Looks at your face

Seems happy to see you when you walk up to her/him

Smiles when you talk or smile at her/him

4 months

Holds a toy when you put it in his/her hand

Uses her/his arm to swing at toys

Brings hands to mouth

Pushes up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy

Looks at his/her hands with interest

Makes sounds back when you talk to him/her

Turns head towards the sound of your voice

Chuckles (not yet a full laugh) when you try to make her/him laugh

Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention

6 months

Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy

Leans on hands to support himself/herself when sitting

Reaches to grab a toy he/she wants

Closes lips to show she/he doesn’t want more food

Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)

Makes squealing noises

Likes to look at him/herself in a mirror

Laughs

9 months

Moves things from one hand to her/his other hand

Uses fingers to “rake” food towards him/herself

Sits without support

Bangs two things together

Lifts arms up to be picked up

Shows several facial expressions, like happy, sad, angry, and surprised

Looks when you call her/his name

Reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries)

Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo

12 months

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

Looks for things he/she sees you hide, like a toy under a blanket

Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name

Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)

15 months

Uses fingers to feed self some food

Stacks at least two small objects, like blocks

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

Shows you an object she likes

Claps when excited

Hugs stuffed doll or other toy

Shows you affection (hugs, cuddles, or kisses you)

18 months

Scribbles

Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes

Feeds self with fingers

Tries to use a spoon

Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help

Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car

Follows one step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, “Give it to me.”

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/her by pushing arm through sleeve or lifting up foot

2 years

Runs

Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help

Eats with a spoon

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

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

Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation

Takes some clothes off by him/herself, like loose pants or an open jacket

Jumps off the ground with both feet

Turns book pages, one at a time, when you read to her/him

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?”

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”

Shows you what she can do by saying, “Look at me!”

Follows simple routine when told, like helping to pick up toys when you say, “It’s clean-up time.”

3 years

Puts on some clothes by him/herself, like loose pants or a jacket

Uses a fork

Avoids touching hot objects, like a stove, when you warn her/him

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

Notices other children and joins them to play

4 years

Serves him/herself food or pours water, with adult supervision

Unbuttons some buttons

Holds crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb (not a fist)

Tells what comes next in a well-known story

Draws a person with three or more body parts

Says some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme

Talks about at least one thing that happened during his day, like “I played soccer.”

Answers simple questions like “What is a coat for?” or “What is a crayon for?”

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 she is (place of worship, library, playground)

5 years

Hops on one foot

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 letter in her/his name

Names some letters when you point to them

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)

Sings, dances, or acts for you

Does simple chores at home, like matching socks or clearing the table after eating