DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES BY THE END OF 12 MONTHS:

Social and Emotional:

• Shy or anxious with strangers
• Cries when mother or father leaves
• Enjoys imitating people in his play
• Shows specific preferences for certain people and toys
• Tests parental responses to his actions during feedings (What do you do when he refuses a food?)
• Tests parental responses to his behavior (What do you do if he cries after you leave the room?)
• May be fearful in some situations
• Prefers mother and/or regular caregiver over all others
• Repeats sounds or gestures for attention
• Finger-feeds himself
• Extends arm or leg to help when being dressed

Speech and Language:

• Pays increasing attention to speech
• Responds to simple verbal requests
• Responds to "no"
• Uses simple gestures, such as shaking head for "no"
• Babbles with inflection
• Says "dada" and "mama" and possibly 2-3 more words
• Uses exclamations, such as "Uh-oh!"
• Tries to imitate words

Cognitive:

• Explores objects in many different ways (shaking, banging, throwing, dropping)
• Finds hidden objects easily
• Looks at correct picture when the image is named
• Imitates gestures
• Begins to use objects correctly (drinking from cup, brushing hair, dialing phone, listening to radio)

Movement:

• Reaches sitting position without assistance
• Crawls forward on belly
• Assumes hands-and-knees position
• Creeps on hands and knees
• Gets from sitting to crawling or prone (lying on stomach) position
• Pulls self up to stand
• Walks holding on to furniture
• May walk two or three steps without support

Developmental Watch:

The developmental milestones give you a general idea of the changes you can expect as your child but don't be alarmed if her development takes a slightly different course. Each child develops at her own pace. Do consult us, or your pediatrician, however, if your child displays any of the following signs of possible developmental delay for this age range.

• Does not crawl
• Drags one side of body while crawling (for over one month)
• Cannot stand when supported
• Does not search for objects that are hidden while he watches
• Says no single words ("mama" or "dada")
• Does not learn to use gestures, such as waving or shaking head
• Does not point to objects or pictures

DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES BY THE END OF 2 YEARS:

Social:

• Imitates behavior of others, especially adults and older children
• Increasingly aware of herself as separate from others
• Increasingly enthusiastic about company of other children
• Stays engaged with one activity for 6-7 minutes

Speech and Language:

• Points to object or picture when it is named for him
• Recognizes names of familiar people, objects, and body parts
• Says several single words (by 15-18 months)
• Uses two-to four-word sentences
• Follows simple instructions
• Repeats words overheard in conversation
• Has approximately 200 words in vocabulary
• Asks questions

Cognitive:

• Finds objects even when hidden under two or three covers
• Begins to sort by shapes and colors
• Begins make-believe play

Hand and Finger Skills:

• Scribbles spontaneously
• Turns over container to pour out contents
• Builds tow of four blocks or more
• Might use one hand more frequently than the other

Movement:

• Walks alone
• Pulls toys behind her when walking
• Carries large toy or several toys while walking
• Begins to run
• Stands on tiptoe
• Kicks a ball
• Climbs onto and down furniture unassisted
• Walks up and down stairs holding on to support

Emotional:

• Demonstrates increasing independence
• Begins to show defiant behavior
• Episodes of separation anxiety increase toward midyear then fade

Developmental Watch:

The developmental milestones give you a general idea of the changes you can expect as your child but don't be alarmed if her development takes a slightly different course. Each child develops at her own pace. Do consult us, or your pediatrician, however, if your child displays any of the following signs of possible developmental delay for this age range.

• Cannot walk by 18 months
• Fails to develop a mature heel-to-toe walking pattern after several months of walking, or walks on his toes
• Does not speak at least 15 words by 18 months
• Does not use two-word sentences by age 2
• By 15 months, does not seem to know the function of common household objects (brush, telephone, fork, spoon)
• Does not imitate actions or word by the end of this period
• Does not follow simple instructions by age 2
• Cannot push a wheeled toy by age 2

DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES BY THE END OF 3 YEARS:

Social:

• Imitates adults and playmates
• Spontaneously shows affection for familiar playmates
• Can take turns in a game
• Understands concepts of "mine" and "his/hers"

Speech and Language:

• Follows a two-and three-component command
• Recognizes and identifies almost all common objects and pictures
• Understands most sentences
• Understands physical relationships ("on", "in", "under")
• Uses four-and five-word sentences
• Can say name, age, sex
• Uses pronouns (I, you, me, we, they) and some plurals (cars, dogs, cats)
• Stranger can understand nearly all of her words

Cognitive:

• Makes mechanical toys work
• Matches an object in her hand or room to a picture in a book
• Plays make-believe with dolls, animals, people
• Sorts objects by shape and color
• Completes puzzles with three or four pieces
• Understands concept of "two"

Hand and Finger Skills:

• Makes vertical, horizontal, and circular strokes with pencil or crayon
• Turns book pages one at a time
• Builds a tower of more than six blocks
• Holds a pencil in writing position
• Screws and unscrews jar lids, nuts, and bolts
• Turns rotating handles

Movement:

• Climbs well
• Walks up and down stairs, alternating feet
• Kicks ball
• Runs easily
• Pedals tricycle
• Bends over easily without falling

Emotional:

• Expresses affection openly
• Expresses a wide range of emotions
• By 3, separates easily from parents
• Objects to major changes in routine

Developmental Watch:

The developmental milestones give you a general idea of the changes you can expect as your child but don't be alarmed if her development takes a slightly different course. Each child develops at her own pace. Do consult us, or your pediatrician, however, if your child displays any of the following signs of possible developmental delay for this age range.

• Frequent falling and difficulty with stairs
• Persistent drooling or unclear speech
• Inability to build a tower of more than 4 blocks
• Difficulty manipulating small objects
• Inability to copy a circle by age 3
• Inability to communicate in short phrases/sentences
• No involvement in "pretend" pay
• Failure to understand simple instruction
• Little interest in other children
• Extreme difficulty separating from mother

DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES BY THE END OF 4 YEARS:

Social:

• Interested in new experiences
• Cooperates with other children
• Plays "Mom" or "Dad"
• Increasingly inventive in fantasy play
• Dresses and undresses
• Negotiates solutions to conflicts
• More independent
• Stays with one activity for 11 to 12 minute

Speech and Language:

• Understands the concept of "same" and "different"
• Has mastered some basic rules of grammar
• Speaks in sentences of 5-6 words
• Speaks clearly enough for strangers to understand
• Tells stories
• Identifies primary colors
• Begins to combine sentences with "and"
• Uses past tense correctly
• Uses the following sounds correctly: m, n, ng, p, f, h, w, y (as in yes), k, b, d, g, t

Cognitive:

• Correctly names some colors
• Understands the concept of counting and may know a few numbers
• Approaches problems from a single point of view
• Begins to have a clearer sense of time
• Follows three-part commands
• Recalls parts of a story
• Engages in fantasy play
• Hand and Finger Skills
• Copies square shapes
• Draws a person with two to four body parts
• Uses scissors
• Draws circles and squares
• Begins to copy some capital letters

Movement:

• Hops and stands on one foot up to five seconds
• Goes upstairs and downstairs without support
• Kicks ball forward
• Throws ball overhand
• Catches bounced ball most of the time
• Moves forward and backward with agility

Emotional:

• Imagines that many unfamiliar images may be "monsters"
• Views self as a whole person involving body, mind, and feelings
• Often cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality

Developmental Watch:

The developmental milestones give you a general idea of the changes you can expect as your child but don't be alarmed if her development takes a slightly different course. Each child develops at her own pace. Do consult us, or your pediatrician, however, if your child displays any of the following signs of possible developmental delay for this age range.

• Cannot throw a ball overhand
• Cannot jump in place
• Cannot ride a tricycle
• Cannot grasp a crayon between thumb and fingers
• Has difficulty scribbling
• Cannot stack four blocks
• Still clings or cries whenever his parents leave him
• Shows no interest in interactive games
• Ignores other children
• Doesn't respond to people outside the family
• Doesn't engage in fantasy play
• Resists dressing, toileting, sleeping'
• Lashes out without any self-control when angry or upset
• Cannot copy a circle
• Doesn't use sentences of more than 3 words
• Doesn't use "me" and "you" appropriately

DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES BY THE END OF 5 YEARS:

Social:

• Wants to please friends
• Wants to be like her friends
• More likely to agree to rules
• Likes to sing, dance, and act
• Shows more independence and may even visit a next-door neighbor by herself

Speech and Language:

• Recalls part of a story
• Speaks sentences of more than five words
• Uses future tense
• Tells longer stories with simple plot (problem, action to solve problem, and outcome)
• Says name and address
• Uses all types of sentences, some of which will be complex (for example, "I can go to Billy's house after I help mom clean the dirty kitchen.")
• Uses all speech sounds correctly with the possible exception of th, zh (as in measure), and r

Cognitive:

• Can count 10 or more objects
• Correctly names at least 4 colors
• Better understands the concept of time
• Knows about things used every day in the home (money, food, appliances)

Hand and Finger Skills:

• Copies triangles and other geometric patterns
• Draws a person with body
• Prints some letters
• Dresses and undresses without assistance
• Uses fork, spoon, and (sometimes) a table knife
• Usually cares for own toilet needs

Movement:

• Stands on one foot for 10 seconds or longer
• Hops, somersaults
• Swings, climbs
• May be able to skip

Emotional:

• Aware of sexuality
• Able to distinguish fantasy from reality
• Sometimes demanding, sometimes eagerly cooperative

Developmental Watch:

The developmental milestones give you a general idea of the changes you can expect as your child but don't be alarmed if her development takes a slightly different course. Each child develops at her own pace. Do consult us, or your pediatrician, however, if your child displays any of the following signs of possible developmental delay for this age range.

• Cannot understand two-part commands using prepositions ("Put the cup on the table" ; "Get the remote under the couch."
• Can't correctly pronounce the majority of sounds with the exception or th, zh (as in measure), and r
• Doesn't use plurals or past tense properly hen speaking
• Doesn't talk about daily activities and experiences
• Exhibits extremely fearful or timid behavior
• Exhibits extremely aggressive behavior
• Is unable to separate from parents without major protest
• Is easily distracted and unable to concentrate on any single activity for more than five minures
• Shows little interest in playing with other children
• Refuses to respond to people in general, or responds only superficially
• Rarely uses fantasy or imitation in play
• Seems unhappy or sad much of the time
• Doesn't engage in a variety of activities
• Avoids or seems aloof with other children and adults
• Doesn't express a wide range of emotions
• Has trouble eating, sleeping, or using the toilet
• Can't differentiate between fantasy and reality
• Seems unusually passive

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DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES BY THE END OF 6 MONTHS:

DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES FOR 6-9 MONTHS:

Social:

• Mimics facial expressions
• Exhibits moods with varied sounds and body movements
• May be shy or afraid of strangers
• Responds to her name
• Raises arms to signal her wanting to be picked up
• Likes her reflection

Speech and Language:

• Longer and more varied sounds
• Experiments with different volumes and pitches of sounds
• Makes 2-syllabled sounds
• Turns head to sounds that originate outside of her immediate area

Cognitive:

• Studies objects
• Concentrates on one toy at a time
• Analyzes what to do with her toy
• Understands the nesting of objects
• Understands an object might be behind something

Movement:

• Can sit
• Rolls over both ways
• Can stand if leaning on other object
• Points at objects
• Picks up small objects with thumb and finger
• Reaches accurately
• Can feed herself
• Can drink from a cup
• Gets up on all fours and rocks