Your Child’s Journey Starts Here
The first few years of a child’s life are a time of endless growth and discovery. Each milestone is a building block in their journey toward becoming confident learners and explorers. As your child progresses through the stages of infancy, toddlerhood, and preschool, it’s important to understand and celebrate these developmental milestones to make sure they are getting the best start in life.
On this page, you’ll find helpful resources that correspond with key CDC milestones from birth to age five, along with information on what to expect at each stage and tools and activities to support your child’s growth.
Explore the developmental milestones for each age group, watch helpful videos, and get resources for your child’s stage below!
Infant
By 2 Months:
- Looks at your face
- Reacts to loud sounds
- Smiles when you talk to him or her
- Calms down when spoken to or picked up
- Holds Head up when on tummy
By 4 Months:
- Turns head towards the sound of your voice
- Looks at their hands with interest
- Holds a toy when you put it in their hand
By 6 Months:
- Knows familiar people
- Takes turns making sounds with you
- Reaches to grab a toy he wants
- Rolls from tummy to back
- Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
By 9 months:
- Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo
- Lifts arms up to be picked up
- Looks for objects when dropped out of sight
12 Months:
- Plays games with you like pat-a-cake
- Calls a parent ‘mama’ or ‘dada’
- Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup
- Pulls up to stand, walks holding on to furniture
Infant Pause & Learn Station
Infant
Toddler
By 15 months:
- Copies other children while playing, like talking toys our of a container when another child does
- Tried to say one or two words besides “mama: or “dada,” like “ba” for ball of “da” for dog.
- Stacks at least two small objects, like blocks or cups
By 18 Months:
- Points to show you something interesting
- Tries to say three or more words besides ‘mama’ or ‘dada’
- Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom
- Tries to use a spoon
- Follows one-step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, “give it to me.”
By 2 Years:
- Looks at your face to see how you react in a new situation
- Says at least two words together, like ‘More Milk’
- Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons on a toy
- Kicks a ball
- Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help
- Holds something in one hand while using the other hand; for example, holding a container and taking the lid off.
30 Months:
- Says about 50 words
- Uses things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll as if it were food
- Shows you what she can do by saying, “Look at me!”
- Jumps off the ground with both feet
- Follows two-step instructions like “put the toy down and close the door.”
Toddler Pause & Learn Station
Toddler
Preschool
By 3 Years:
- Talks with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges
- Draws a circle, when you show him how
- Notices other children and joins them to play
- Puts on some clothes by themselves, like loose pants or a jacket
By 4 Years:
- Answers simple questions like “What is a coat for?”
- Names a few colors of items
- Unbuttons some buttons
- Likes to be a “helper”
- Says sentences with four or more words
- Comforts others who are hurt or sad, like hugging a crying friend
By 5 Years:
- Follows rules or takes turns when playing games with other children
- Uses or recognizes simple rhymes
- Writes some letters in her name
- Does simple chores at home, like matching socks or clearing the table after eating
- Names some letters when you point to them
- Hops on one foot
Preschool Pause & Learn Station
Pre-School
Nurturing Your Child’s Growth Every Step of the Way
Every childhood milestone is an exciting achievement, and with the right tools and support, you can help your child build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.
Concerned about your child’s development
- Make an appointment with your child’s doctor, teacher or another trusted provider
- Ask about developmental screening
You know your child best. Don’t wait. Acting early can make a real difference!
