Milestones by age
Every child climbs at their own pace
These are examples of things most children, about 75% or more, can do by each age. They are conversation starters, not a test. If something here gives you pause, that's worth a conversation, not a wait.
Milestones by age band
The social baby
2–6 months — Looking, smiling, and starting to answer back.
- Smiles on their own to get your attention
- Makes sounds back when you talk to them
- Holds head steady without support when held
- Brings hands to mouth
- Pushes up on elbows during tummy time
- Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to keep your notice
Names and games
9–12 months — Responding to you, and getting hands into everything.
- Looks when you call their name
- Plays games with you, like peek-a-boo
- Sits without support
- Picks up small things between thumb and finger
- Waves bye-bye
- Calls a parent “mama” or “dada”
First words, first steps
15–18 months — Pointing at the world and naming a bit of it.
- Takes a few steps on their own
- Uses several single words
- Points to show you something interesting
- Copies you doing chores, like sweeping
- Drinks from a cup without a lid, with some spilling
- Moves away from you but checks back to be sure you're near
Words snap together
2 years — Two words at a time, and noticing other people.
- Says at least two words together, like “more milk”
- Points to things in a book when you ask
- Notices when others are hurt or upset
- Kicks a ball
- Runs
- Eats with a spoon
Conversations
3 years — Being understood, and joining other children.
- Talks with you in at least two back-and-forth exchanges
- Asks who, what, where, or why questions
- Says their first name when asked
- Talks well enough for others to understand most of the time
- Notices other children and joins them to play
- Draws a circle when you show them how
Stories and pretending
4 years — Imagination, longer sentences, and helping.
- Pretends to be something else during play
- Says sentences with four or more words
- Talks about at least one thing that happened during their day
- Names a few colours of things
- Draws a person with three or more body parts
- Comforts others who are hurt or sad
Ready for what's next
5 years — Rules, rhymes, counting, and keeping a conversation going.
- Follows rules or takes turns when playing games with other children
- Tells a story they heard or made up with at least two events
- Keeps a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges
- Counts to 10
- Writes some letters in their name
- Hops on one foot
Please read this part. These milestones are adapted from the CDC's Learn the Signs. Act Early. (opens in a new tab) program. They are not developmental guidelines or standards, and this page is not a screening or diagnostic tool. It cannot tell you whether your child has a delay.
Children develop at different rates, and a missed milestone on its own doesn't mean something is wrong. What it means is: bring it up. Talk to your child's doctor and ask about developmental screening. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening at 9, 18, and 30 months, and for autism at 18 and 24 months, or any time you or a provider has a concern.
If your child has lost a skill they used to have, don't wait on that one. Call your doctor.
Growing little minds one step at a time.
Something give you pause?
Then it's worth a conversation.
A referral costs nothing and commits you to nothing. We would rather tell you your child is on track than have you spend six months wondering.
Refer a child