Developmental Milestones (Updated 2022) Flashcards
(159 cards)
1
Q
Looks for things he sees you hide, like a toy under a blanket
A
12 months
2
Q
Names some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them
A
5 years
3
Q
Points to things in a book when you ask, for example, “Where is the bear?”
A
24 months
4
Q
Stacks at least 2 small objects, like blocks
A
15 months
5
Q
Holds a toy when you put it in his hand
A
4 months
6
Q
Looks at a toy for several seconds
A
2 months
7
Q
Tells what comes next in a well-known story
A
4 years
8
Q
If hungry, opens mouth when she sees breast or bottle
A
4 months
9
Q
Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
A
6 months
10
Q
Hops on 1 foot
A
5 years
11
Q
Writes some letters in her name
A
5 years
12
Q
Talks with you in conversation using at least 2 back-and-forth exchanges
A
3 years
13
Q
Looks at his hands with interest
A
4 months
14
Q
Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes
A
18 months
15
Q
Uses hands to twist things, like turning doorknobs or unscrewing lids
A
30 months
16
Q
Says words like I, me, or we
A
30 months
17
Q
Plays next to other children and sometimes plays with them
A
30 months
18
Q
Buttons some buttons
A
5 years
19
Q
Copies other children while playing, like taking toys out of a container when another child does
A
15 months
20
Q
Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo
A
9 months
21
Q
Moves away from you, but looks to make sure you are close by
A
18 months
22
Q
Likes to look at himself in the mirror
A
6 months
23
Q
Rolls from tummy to back
A
6 months
24
Q
Unbuttons some buttons
A
4 years
25
Opens hands briefly
2 months
26
Helps you dress him by pushing arm through sleeve or lifting up foot
18 months
27
Uses things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll as if it were food
30 months
28
Points to ask for something or to get help
15 months
29
Shows simple problem-solving skills, like standing on a small stool to reach something
30 months
30
Brings hands to mouth
4 months
31
Turns book pages, 1 at a time, when you read to her
30 months
32
Chuckles (not yet a full laugh) when you try to make her laugh
4 months
33
Leans on hands to support himself when sitting
6 months
34
Hugs stuffed doll or other toy
15 months
35
Answers simple questions, like “What is a coat for,” or “What is a crayon for?”
4 years
36
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.”
15 months
37
Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup
12 months
38
Follows 2-step instructions, for example, “Put the toy down and close the door.”
30 months
39
Comforts others who are hurt or sad, like hugging a crying friend
4 years
40
Uses fingers to feed herself some food
15 months
41
Scribbles
18 months
42
Closes lips to show she does not want more food
6 months
43
Knows familiar people
6 months
44
Lifts arms up to be picked up
9 months
45
Follows rules or takes turns when playing games with other children
5 years
46
Says ∼50 words
30 months
47
Plays with >1 toy at the same time, like putting toy food on a toy plate
24 months
48
Shows you affection (hugs, cuddles, or kisses you)
15 months
49
Smiles on his own to get your attention
4 months
50
Catches a large ball most of the time
4 years
51
Reaches to grab a toy he wants
6 months
52
Says sentences with ≥4 words
4 years
53
Avoids danger, like not jumping from tall heights at the playground
4 years
54
Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
6 months
55
Uses words about time, like yesterday, tomorrow, morning, or night
5 years
56
Serves himself food or pours water, with adult supervision
4 years
57
Tells a story she heard or made up with at least 2 events, like a cat stuck in a tree and a firefighter saving it
5 years
58
Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help
24 months
59
Answers simple questions about a book or story after you read or tell it to him
5 years
60
Tries to use a spoon
18 months
61
Sings, dances, or acts for you
5 years
62
Says some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme
4 years
63
Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food
12 months
64
Avoids touching hot objects, like a stove, when you warn her
3 years
65
Kicks a ball
24 months
66
Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention
4 months
67
Notices other children and joins them to play
3 years
68
Claps when excited
15 months
69
Says first name when asked
3 years
70
Reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries)
9 months
71
Puts things in her mouth to explore them
6 months
72
Walks without holding onto anyone or anything
18 months
73
Uses a fork
3 years
74
Pushes up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy
4 months
75
Takes some clothes off by himself, like loose pants or an open jacket
30 months
76
Notices when others are hurt or upset, like pausing or looking sad when someone is crying
24 months
77
Pulls up to stand
12 months
78
Gets to a sitting position by herself
9 months
79
Tries to say ≥3 words besides mama or dada
18 months
80
Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)
12 months
81
Puts hands out for you to wash them
18 months
82
Draws a person with ≥3 body parts
4 years
83
Likes to be a “helper”
4 years
84
Calms down within 10 min after you leave her, like at child care drop off
3 years
85
Uses her arm to swing at toys
4 months
86
Uses fingers to “rake” food toward himself
9 months
87
Makes sounds other than crying
2 months
88
Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation
24 months
89
Waves “bye-bye”
12 months
90
Names a few colors of items
4 years
91
Looks when you call his name
9 months
92
Looks at a familiar object when you name it
15 months
93
Asks who, what, where, or why questions, like “Where is mommy/daddy?”
3 years
94
Uses or recognizes simple rhymes (bat-cat, ball-tall)
5 years
95
Tries to say 1 or 2 words besides mama or dada, like “ba” for ball or “da” for dog
15 months
96
Does simple chores at home, like matching socks or clearing the table after eating
5 years
97
Seems happy to see you when you walk up to her
2 months
98
Names things in a book when you point and ask, “What is this?”
30 months
99
Jumps off the ground with both feet
30 months
100
Feeds herself with her fingers
18 months
101
Shows several facial expressions, like happy, sad, angry, and surprised
9 months
102
Smiles when you talk to or smile at her
2 months
103
Follows simple routines when told, like helping to pick up toys when you say, “It’s clean-up time.”
30 months
104
Holds head steady without support when you are holding her
4 months
105
Shows you an object that he likes
15 months
106
Points to show you something interesting
18 months
107
Takes a few steps on his own
15 months
108
Asks to go play with children if none are around, like “Can I play with Alex?"
4 years
109
Calms down when spoken to or picked up
2 months
110
Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons on a toy
24 months
111
Bangs 2 things together
9 months
112
Follows 1-step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, “Give it to me.”
18 months
113
Pays attention for 5–10 min during activities, for example, during story time or making arts and crafts (screen time does not count)
5 years
114
Laughs
6 months
115
Turns head toward the sound of your voice
4 months
116
Names some letters when you point to them
5 years
117
Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help
18 months
118
Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers
9 months
119
Looks at your face
2 months
120
Looks at a few pages in a book with you
18 months
121
Says what action is happening in a picture when asked, like running, eating, or playing
3 years
122
Draws a circle when you show him how
3 years
123
Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake
12 months
124
Talks well enough for others to understand, most of the time
3 years
125
Makes different sounds like “mamamama” and “babababa”
9 months
126
Makes sounds back when you talk to him
4 months
127
Puts on some clothes by himself, like loose pants or a jacket
3 years
128
Strings items together, like large beads or macaroni
3 years
129
Watches you as you move
2 months
130
Runs
24 months
131
Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like his spoon or toy)
9 months
132
Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom
18 months
133
Says at least 2 words together, like “More milk.”
24 months
134
Moves both arms and both legs
2 months
135
Holds crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb (not in a fist)
4 years
136
Shows you what she can do by saying, “Look at me!"
30 months
137
Changes behavior on the basis of where she is (place of worship, library, playground)
4 years
138
Pretends to be something else during play (teacher, superhero, dog)
4 years
139
Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes
24 months
140
Eats with a spoon
24 months
141
Makes sounds like “oooo” and “aahh” (cooing)
4 months
142
Points to at least 2 body parts when you ask him to show you
24 months
143
Shows that he knows at least 1 color, like pointing to a red crayon when you ask, “Which one is red?”
30 months
144
Makes squealing noises
6 months
145
Says ≥2 words, with 1 action word, like “Doggie run.”
30 months
146
Reacts to loud sounds
2 months
147
Holds head up when on tummy
2 months
148
Takes turns making sounds with you
6 months
149
Tries to use things the right way, like a phone, cup, or book
15 months
150
Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name
12 months
151
Talks about at least 1 thing that happened during his day, like “I played soccer.”
4 years
152
Holds something in 1 hand while using the other hand, for example, holding a container and taking the lid off
24 months
153
Counts to 10
5 years
154
Keeps a conversation going with >3 back-and-forth exchange
5 years
155
Moves things from 1 hand to her other hand
9 months
156
Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it
12 months
157
Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car
18 months
158
Sits without support
9 months
159
Walks, holding onto furniture
12 months
