Milestones for Growing & Learning
Strong & Healthy Bodies
Watching children grow is one of the many joys of life. As they grow, your children will experience physical, cognitive, and social-emotional milestones, which will help you recognize the different stages they have reached or passed. You’ll be surprised at how much they learn and change in such a short time!
Development Milestones
Strong & Healthy Bodies
Remember – kids develop at their own unique pace, so use these milestones as general guidelines.
Milestones to Look for:
Birth to 3 months
Grips your finger or a toy placed in his or her hands.
Recognizes faces, touch, voices, and smell.
Turns head toward nipple or caregiver’s face while being held.
Lifts head and chest, supported by elbows, while lying on tummy.
Hands will open and shut.
Moves arms and legs equally well.
3 to 6 months
Sits with help and holds head steady.
Pushes up to see people and things around him or her.
Drools; may start teething.
Settles into a more regular sleeping and eating schedule.
Plays with fingers and toes.
Reaches for, grasps, and explores objects with fingers, hands, and mouth.
Rolls over from front to back.
Begins to get some control of their body.
6 to 9 months
Uses thumb and fingers to pick up objects.
Holds their own bottle.
Rolls over in both directions.
Sits independently.
May crawl, scoot, or pull up on furniture to stand.
Uses fingers to rake food towards self.
Moves objects from one hand to the other.
Starts getting teeth.
9 to 12 months
May begin to walk.
Drinks from a cup with help.
Tries to build a tower with two blocks.
Pulls self up to stand by holding on to furniture.
Creep-walks holding onto furniture.
Feeds finger foods to self.
12 to 15 months
May walk independently or by holding a hand.
Crawls up stairs (but can’t come down yet).
Throws a ball.
Turns pages in a book.
Carries objects around.
Likes to stack things.
Uses hands together to hold a toy at the middle of their body.
Scribbles with a crayon.
15 to 18 months
Starts using a spoon and drinks from a cup without help.
Walks, runs, and climbs.
Assists with dressing, undressing, and diapering.
Can independently sit down in a small chair.
Walks without holding on to anyone or anything.
18 to 24 months
Squats to pick up a toy and stands again.
Pushes large objects such as boxes, chairs, wagons, strollers.
Pounds object with intention—like hammering a peg.
Enjoys climbing, swinging, sliding, and walking up inclines.
Uses feet to move on a riding toy.
Kicks a ball forward.
Starts feeding self with a fork and spoon.
Takes steps backward.
Opens cabinets, drawers, and boxes.
24 to 30 months
Walks up stairs one foot at a time and balances on one foot.
Can jump up and down in place.
Throws ball using whole body. Catches a ball by trapping it with arms and hands.
Continues to progress with self-feeding and uses a spoon or fork more independently.
Can walk on tip-toes.
Holds pencil with thumb and forefingers.
Jumps with both feet.
Has the ability to run and then slow quickly to a stop.
30 to 36 months
Speaks clearly enough to be understood half the time.
Walks up and down stairs using alternating feet.
Participates in sleeping routines—like getting a book, arranging pillows or comfort items.
Puts on shoes but cannot tie laces.
Can balance and hop on one foot.
Climbs the ladder of a slide or other playground equipment.
Pedals a tricycle.
3 to 4 years
Builds a tower of six or more blocks.
Manipulates small objects.
Turns pages one at a time.
Bends over without falling.
Climbs well.
4 to 5 years
Uses scissors.
Stands on one foot for at least five seconds.
Dresses and undresses independently.
Throws a ball overhand, kicks a ball, and catches a bounced ball most of the time.
Learns to skip and somersault.
Runs around obstacles.
Jumps forward 10x without falling.
5 to 6 years
Copies a square, triangle, and other geometric shapes.
Stands on one foot for at least 10 seconds.
Can jump down several steps.
Starts to coordinate movements to swim and ride a bike.
Brushes teeth and cares for other personal needs.
Seeks active games and environments.
Has high energy levels during play and rarely shows signs of fatigue.
Explore milestones for each
Domain of Development
