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Developmental 
Milestones 

It is important to recognize children develop at their own pace, and the age at which they meet developmental milestones may vary.

Developmental checklists can be helpful to track your child's development and to identify when further evaluation may be beneficial.  

 

0-6 months

  • Begins to gain head control ​

  • Bears weight through both hands during tummy time 

  • Recognizes familiar voices, smiles/laughs, coos 

  • Brings hands together, bring toys to mouth

  • Plays with their feet and toes

  • Reaches for and grasps toy successfully 

  • Transfers toy from one hand to another 

  • Rolls both directions 

  • Sits with support

6-12 months

  • Sits independently 

  • Moves from tummy to sitting 

  • Bangs two objects together 

  • Crawls on all fours

  • Pulls to stand at furniture, Stands with or without support

  • Picks up small objects/food (pincer grasp) 

  • Uses index finger to poke

  • Drops objects into containers 

  • Finds objects after watching them disappear 

  • Enjoys interactive songs, peekaboo, pat-a-cake 

  • Enjoys cause and effect toys

  • May take a few steps 

1-2 years

  • Walks independently, squats down to pick up toys

  • Points with index finger 

  • Feeds self with fingers or utensils 

  • Scribbles on paper, holds a crayon with whole fist 

  • Stacks a 2-6 block tower​

  • Attempts to throw a ball in forward direction 

  • Takes off socks & shoes, pushes arms through sleeves 

2-3 years 

  • Self-feeds with utensils, drinks from an open cup 

  • Opens/Closes containers with assistance 

  • Stings large beads 

  • Draws lines and circles; Grasps crayon with thumb and fingers 

  • Stacks 6-8 block tower 

  • Snips paper with scissors 

  • Assists with pushing down pants, pulling on socks, pushing arms/legs through clothing

  • Unbuttons large buttons 

3-4 years

  • Self-feeds with utensils, minimal spilage

  • Strings small beads

  • Stacks a 9-10 block tower 

  • Copies a cross (+), begins to draw a person with 2 body parts 

  • Grasps pencil with thumb and fingers 

  • Cuts along a straight line with scissors 

  • Puts on socks and shoes (may be on wrong feet)

  • Puts on shirt with correct orientation, Takes off shirt and pants 

  • Snaps/Zips clothing with assistance, begins to practice buttons

4-5 years

  • Imitates diagonal lines, square, triangle, and X

  • Draws a person with 3 body parts 

  • Cuts simple shapes with scissors 

  • Manages buttons, opens all fasteners 

5-6 years

  • Builds complex designs (Legos, blocks)

  • Draws a rectangle, connects two dots with a straight line

  • Prints their name from memory 

  • Copies letters and numbers

  • Draws a person with 6+ body parts

  • Cuts complex shapes with scissors

  • Ties shoes 

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