WAVES

Developmental Milestones

Every child is different. This chart gives general milestones in a child’s development. The information lets you know what to expect as your child grows. It will help you record your child’s progress. As you measure the progress, make notes on the chart. These notes will provide a good record of your child’s development.

At 1 month most children…

• Lift head a little while lying on stomach
• Watch objects for a short time
• Make “noise in throat” sounds
• Stay away from annoying sensations such as cloth or blanket on the face

At 2 months, most children…

• Hold their heads up (bobbing when supported in sitting position)
• Sometimes copy or respond to a smiling person
• Roll part way to side
• Make sounds of discomfort

At 3 months, most children…

• Lift head and chest when lying on stomach
• Recognize bottle or breast
• Smile when talked to
• Show active body movement
• Follow moving things with their eyes

At 4 months, most children…

• Hold head up for a long time without bobbing
• Laugh out loud
• Roll from front to back
• Like to play
• Grab an object held near their hand
• Make sounds when talked to

At 6 months, most children…

• Sit with little support
• Respond to a friendly voice with a smile or coo
• Roll from back to stomach
• Turn and look at sounds
• Change object from hand to hand and from hand to mouth

At 9 months, most children…

• Sit alone and change position
• Say “Mama and Dada”
• Crawl
• Respond to people they know
• Respond to their names

At 12 months, most children…

• Pull themselves to stand and may step with support
• Can nod their head to signal “yes”
• Give love
• Pick things up with thumb and one finger
• Say two or three words

At 15 months, most children…

• Walk without support
• Do some self-feeding
• Speak and make their voice go up and down
• Drink from a cup held by someone
• Use four or five words

At 18 months, most children…

• Walk (may run a bit)
• Use 5 – 10 words
• Climb up or down one stair
• Pull toys that have wheels
• Mark on paper with crayons
• Understand easy directions

At 2 years most children…

• Give toys when asked
• Recognize a familiar picture and know if it is upside down
• Kick a large ball
• Turn pages in a book (two or three at a time)
• Use two or three words together such as “more juice”

At 3 years, most children…

• Walk up stairs holding railing
• Unbutton large buttons
• Stand for a moment on one foot
• Talk of toilet needs
• Open doors