RESOURCES Milestone Map Links Miracles story Colins story MILESTONE MAP . . WHAT MOST BABIES DO BY 2 MONTHS AGE: Social and Emotional Begins to smile at people Can briefly calm himself such as bringing hands to mouth to suck on hand Tries to look at parent Language/Communication Coos and makes gurgling sounds Turns head toward sounds Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) Pays attention to faces Begins to follow things with eyes and recognize people at a distance Begins to act bored such as crying if activity does not change Movement/Physical Development Can hold head up and begins to push up when lying on tummy Makes smoother movements with arms and legs TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR OR CALL PIC IF YOUR CHILD AT 2 MONTHS OF AGE: Does not respond to loud sounds Does not watch things as they move Does not smile at people Does not bring hands to mouth Cannot hold head up when pushing up when on tummy BACK TO TOP . WHAT MOST BABIES DO BY 4 MONTHS OF AGE: Social and Emotional Smiles spontaneously especially at people Likes to play with people and might cry when playing stops Copies some movements and facial expressions such as smiling or frowning Language/Communication Begins to babble Babbles with expression and copies sounds he hears Cries in different ways to show hunger, pain, tiredness Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) 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 Movement/Physical Development 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 Can hold a toy and shake it and swing at dangling toys Brings hands to mouth When lying on stomach pushes up to elbows TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR OR CALL PIC IF YOUR CHILD AT 4 MONTHS OF AGE: Does not watch things as they move Does not smile at people Cannot hold head steady Does not coo or make sounds Does not bring things to mouth Does not push down with legs when feet are placed on a hard surface Has trouble moving one or both eyes in all directions BACK TO TOP . WHAT MOST BABIES DO BY 6 MONTHS OF AGE: Social and Emotional 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 Language/Communication Responds to sounds by making sounds Strings vowels together when babbling such as “ah,” “eh,” “oh” Likes taking turns with parent while making sounds Responds to own name Makes sounds to show joy and displeasure Begins to say consonant sounds such as jabbering with “m” and “b” Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) Looks around at things nearby Brings things to mouth Shows curiosity and tries to get things that are out of reach Begins to pass things from one hand to the other Movement/Physical Development Rolls over in both directions from front to back and 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 TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR OR CALL PIC IF YOUR CHILD AT 6 MONTHS OF AGE: Does not try to get things that are in reach Shows no affection for caregivers Does not respond to sounds around him Has difficulty getting things to mouth Does not make vowel sounds such as “ah”, “eh”, “oh” Does not roll over in either direction Does not laugh or make squealing sounds Seems very stiff with tight muscles Seems very floppy like a rag doll BACK TO TOP . WHAT MOST BABIES DO BY 9 MONTHS OF AGE: Social and Emotional May be afraid of strangers May be clingy with familiar adults Has favorite toys Language/Communication Understands “no” Makes a lot of different sounds such as “mama”, “dada” Copies sounds and gestures of others Uses fingers to point at things Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) Watches the path of something as it falls Looks for things he sees you hide Plays peek-a-boo Puts things in her mouth Moves things smoothly from one hand to the other Picks up things like cereal o’s between thumb and index finger Movement/Physical Development Stands holding onto something Can get into sitting position Sits without support Pulls to stand Crawls TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR OR CALL PIC IF YOUR CHILD AT 9 MONTHS OF AGE: Does not bear weight on legs with support Does not sit with help Does not babble such as “mama”, “dada” Does not play any games involving back-and-forth play Does not respond to own name Does not seem to recognize familiar people Does not look where you point Does not transfer toys from one hand to the other BACK TO TOP . WHAT MOST TODDLERS DO BY 12 MONTHS OF AGE: Social and Emotional 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 he 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” Language/Communication Responds to simple spoken requests Uses simple gestures, like shaking head “no” or waving “bye-bye” Makes sounds with changes in tone Says “mama” and “dada” and exclamations like “uh-oh!” Tries to say words you say Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) Explores things in different ways such as shaking, banging, throwing Finds hidden things Looks at the right picture or thing when it is named Copies gestures Starts to use things correctly such as drinks from a cup, brushes hai Bangs two things together Puts things in a container, takes things out of a container Can put and pick up object such as rattle, blanket Pokes with index (pointer) finger Follows simple directions such as “pick up the toy” Movement/Physical Development Gets into 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 TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR OR CALL PIC IF YOUR CHILD AT 12 MONTHS OF AGE: Does not crawl Cannot stand when supported Does not search for things that she sees you hide Does not say single words like “mama” or “dada” Does not learn gestures like waving or shaking head Does not point to things Loses skills he once had BACK TO TOP . WHAT MOST TODDLERS DO BY 18 MONTHS OF AGE: Social and Emotional 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 Language/Communication Says several single words Says and shakes head “no” Points to show someone what he wants Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) Knows what ordinary things are for such as 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 his own Can follow one-step verbal commands without any gestures such as sits when you say “sit down” Movement/Physical Development Walks alone May walk up steps and run Pulls toys while walking Can help undress herself Drinks from a cup Eats with a spoon TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR OR CALL PIC IF YOUR CHILD AT 18 MONTHS OF AGE: Does not point to show things to others Cannot walk Does not know what familiar things are for Does not copy others Does not gain new words Does not have at least six words Does not notice or mind when a caregiver leaves or returns Loses skills he once had BACK TO TOP . WHAT MOST TODDLERS DO BY 2 YEARS OF AGE: Social and Emotional 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 Language/Communication Says several single words Says and shakes head “no” Points to show someone what he wants Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) Knows what ordinary things are for such as 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 his own Can follow one-step verbal commands without any gestures such as sits when you say “sit down” Movement/Physical Development Walks alone May walk up steps and run Pulls toys while walking Can help undress herself Drinks from a cup Eats with a spoon TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR OR CALL PIC IF YOUR CHILD AT 2 YEARS OF AGE: Does not point to show things to others Cannot walk Does not know what familiar things are for Does not copy others Does not gain new words Does not have at least six words Does not notice or mind when a caregiver leaves or returns Loses skills he once had BACK TO TOP . WHAT MOST TODDLERS DO BY 3 YEARS OF AGE: Social and Emotional Copies adults and friends Shows affection for friends without prompting Takes turns in games Shows concern for crying friend Understands the idea of “mine”, “his”, “hers” Shows a wide range of emotions Separates easily from mom and dad May get upset with major changes in routine Dresses and undresses self Language/Communication Follows instructions with two or three steps Can name most familiar things Understands words such as “in”, “on”, “under” Says first name, age, and gender Names a friend Says words such as I, me, we, you, and some plurals such as cars, dogs, cats Talks well enough for strangers to understand most of the time Carries on a conversation using two-to-three word sentences Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) Can work toys with buttons, levers, and moving parts Plays make-believe with dolls, animals, and people Does puzzles with three or four pieces Understands what the word two means Copies a circle with pencil or crayon Turns book pages one at a time Builds towers of more than six blocks Screws and unscrews jar lids or turns door handle Movement/Physical Development Climbs well Runs easily Pedals a tricycle (three-wheel bike) Walks up and down stairs, one foot on each step TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR OR CALL PIC IF YOUR CHILD AT 3 YEARS OF AGE: Falls down a lot or has trouble with stairs Drools or has very unclear speech Cannot work simple toys such as peg boards, simple puzzles, turning handles Does not speak in sentences Does not understand simple instructions Does not play pretend or make-believe Does not want to play with other children or with toys Does not make eye contact Loses skills he once had BACK TO TOP . WHAT MOST TODDLERS DO BY 4 YEARS OF AGE: Social and Emotional Enjoys doing new things Plays “mom” and “dad” Is more and more creative with make-believe play Would rather play with other children than by himself Cooperates with other children Often cannot tell what is real and what is make-believe Talks about what she likes and what she is interested in Language/Communication Knows some basic rules of grammar, such as correctly using “he”, “she” Sings a song or says a poem from memory such as the “Itsy Bitsy Spider”, the “Wheels on the Bus” Tells stories Can say first and last name Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) 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” Draws a person with two-to-four body parts Uses scissors Starts to copy some capital letters Plays board or card games Tells you what he thinks is going to happen next in a book Movement/Physical Development Hops and stands on one foot up to two seconds Catches a bounced ball most of the time Pours, cuts with supervision, and mashes own food TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR OR CALL PIC IF YOUR CHILD AT 4 YEARS OF AGE: Cannot jump in place Has trouble scribbling Shows no interest in interactive games or make-believe Ignores other children or does not respond to people outside the family Resists dressing, sleeping, and using the toilet Cannot retell a favorite story Does not follow three-part commands Does not understand “same” and “different” Does not use “me” and “you” correctly Speaks unclearly Loses skills he once had BACK TO TOP . WHAT MOST TODDLERS DO BY 5 YEARS OF AGE: Social and Emotional Wants to please friends Wants to be like friends More likely to agree with rules Likes to sing, dance, and act Shows concern and sympathy for others Is aware of gender Can tell what is real and what is make-believe Shows more independence such as visiting a neighbor by himself, with adult supervision Language/Communication Speaks very clearly Tells a simple story using full sentences Uses future tense such as “Grandma will be here tomorrow” Says name and address Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) Counts ten or more things Can draw a person with at least six body parts Can print some letters or numbers Copies a triangle and other geometric shapes Knows about things used every day such as money and food Movement/Physical Development Stands on one foot for ten seconds or longer Hops and may be able to skip Can do a somersault Uses a fork and spoon and sometimes a table knife Can use the toilet on her own Swings and climbs TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR OR CALL PIC IF YOUR CHILD AT 5 YEARS OF AGE: Does not show a wide range of emotions Shows extreme behavior such as unusually fearful, aggressive, shy, or sad Unusually withdrawn and not active Is easily distracted and has trouble focusing on one activity for more than five minutes Does not respond to people or responds only superficially Cannot tell what is real and what is make-believe Does not play a variety of games and activities Cannot give first and last name Does not use plurals or past tense properly Does not talk about daily activities or experiences Does not draw pictures Cannot brush teeth, wash and dry hands, or get undressed without help Loses skills he once had BACK TO TOP Copyright 2017 Program for Infants and Children Website Design by C+L Creative, an Anchorage ad agency