Ah, childhood—the magical time when every day seems to bring a new discovery, a new skill, and another reason for parents to say, “Wow, look at that!” From the first smile to the first steps, tracking your child’s development is like watching a tiny superhero unlock new powers. But what are these milestones? When should your little one be doing what? And how can you tell if it's time to seek some expert advice? Let’s embark on this fun and informative journey through the stages of childhood development.
0-3 months: Raises head and chest when lying on the stomach, stretches and kicks legs.
4-6 months: Rolls over, begins to sit without support, reaches and grasps objects.
7-9 months: Crawls, pulls to stand, starts to cruise along furniture.
10-12 months: Stands alone, takes first steps, begins to use pincer grasp.
0-3 months: Follows moving objects with eyes, recognizes familiar faces and objects.
4-6 months: Responds to affection, uses hands and mouth to explore the world.
7-9 months: Looks for hidden objects, transfers objects from one hand to the other.
10-12 months: Explores objects in many ways (shaking, banging, throwing), finds hidden objects easily.
0-3 months: Begins to smile at people, can briefly calm themselves.
4-6 months: Likes to play with people and might cry when the playing stops.
7-9 months: Enjoys social play, shows interest in mirror images.
10-12 months: Has favorite objects and people, shows fear in some situations.
12-18 months: Walks alone, begins to run, drinks from a cup.
18-24 months: Kicks a ball, starts to climb furniture, builds tower of 4 blocks.
2-3 years: Runs well, pedals a tricycle, walks up and down stairs with support.
12-18 months: Knows what ordinary things are for, points to get the attention of others.
18-24 months: Begins to sort shapes and colors, follows simple instructions.
2-3 years: Completes sentences and rhymes in familiar books, plays simple make-believe games.
12-18 months: Hands you a book when they want to hear a story, has temper tantrums.
18-24 months: Shows more independence, plays mainly beside other children (parallel play).
2-3 years: Shows defiant behavior, shows affection for friends without prompting.
3-4 years: Hops and stands on one foot up to five seconds, catches a bounced ball most of the time.
4-5 years: Stands on one foot for ten seconds or longer, hops, skips, and somersaults.
3-4 years: Can work toys with buttons, levers, and moving parts, understands counting and might know numbers.
4-5 years: Knows basic grammar rules, tells stories, can draw a person with 2 to 4 body parts.
3-4 years: Cooperates with other children, often cannot tell what’s real and what’s make-believe.
4-5 years: Wants to be like friends, more likely to agree with rules, likes to sing, dance, and act.
While children develop at their own pace, significant delays in milestones can be a sign of developmental concerns. Here are some red flags to watch for:
By 3 months: Doesn’t respond to loud sounds, doesn’t follow moving objects with eyes.
By 6 months: Doesn’t roll over in either direction, seems very stiff or very floppy.
By 12 months: Doesn’t crawl, can’t stand when supported, doesn’t search for things they see you hide.
By 2 years: Doesn’t use two-word phrases, doesn’t walk steadily, loses skills they once had.
By 3 years: Falls down often, has trouble with stairs, drools or has very unclear speech, doesn’t play pretend or make-believe.
Tracking your child's development is like following a treasure map of growth and discovery. Celebrate each milestone and be proactive if something seems amiss. Remember, every child is unique, and early intervention can make a big difference. Keep those baby books handy and those cameras ready—you’re in for an incredible journey!
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Developmental Milestones." CDC.gov
Mayo Clinic Staff. "Infant and Toddler Health: Developmental Milestones." MayoClinic.org
American Academy of Pediatrics. "Developmental Milestones." HealthyChildren.org
Feel free to share this post with fellow parents and caregivers—knowledge is power, and understanding these milestones can help ensure your child’s healthy development. Happy parenting!
