Is my child’s development appropriate for their age? Milestones for ages 2 to 5

Developmental milestones are skills — like using a spoon, following two-step instructions and hopping on one foot —that most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age. Curious whether your child’s development is appropriate for their age? Below is an abbreviated list of developmental milestones from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for children 2 to 5 years old.2 years:

• Notices when others are hurt or upset, like pausing or looking sad when someone is crying
• Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation
• Points to things in a book when you ask something like “Where is the bear?”
• Says at least two words together, like “More milk”
• Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes
• Tries to use switches, knobs or buttons on a toy
• Kicks a ball
• Runs
• Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help
• Eats with a spoon

30 months:

• Shows you what they can do by saying, “Look at me!”
• Follows simple routines when told, like helping to pick up toys when you say, “It’s cleanup time”
• Says about 50 words
• Says two or more words together, with one action word, like “Doggie run”
• Says words like “I,” “me” or “we”
• Uses things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll as if it were food
• Follows two-step instructions like “Put the toy down and close the door”
• Shows they know at least one color, like pointing to a red crayon when you ask, “Which one is red?”
• Uses hands to twist things, like turning doorknobs or unscrewing lids
• Jumps off the ground with both feet

3 years:

• Calms down within 10 minutes after you leave them, like at a child care drop-off
• Talks with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges
• Asks “who,” “what,” “where” or “why” questions, like “Where is Mommy/Daddy?”
• Says first name when asked
• Talks well enough for others to understand, most of the time
• Draws a circle, when you show them how
• Avoids touching hot objects, like a stove, when you warn them
• Strings items together, like large beads or macaroni
• Puts on some clothes without help, like loose pants or a jacket
• Uses a fork

4 years:

• Pretends to be something else during play (teacher, superhero, dog)
• Comforts others who are hurt or sad, like hugging a crying friend
• Likes to be a “helper”
• Changes behavior based on where they are (place of worship, library, playground)
• Says sentences with four or more words
• Tells what comes next in a well-known story
• Catches a large ball most of the time
• Serves themselves food or pours water, with adult supervision
• Unbuttons some buttons
• Holds crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb (not a fist)

5 years:

• Follows rules or takes turns when playing games with other children
• Sings, dances or acts for you
• Tells a story they heard or made up with at least two events, like “A cat was stuck in a tree and a firefighter saved it”
• Uses or recognizes simple rhymes (bat-cat, ball-tall)
• Counts to 10
• Names some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them
• Uses words about time, like “yesterday,” “tomorrow,” “morning” or “night”
• Names some letters when you point to them
• Buttons some buttons
• Hops on one foot

For a complete list of milestones, as well as a milestone moments checklist, visit the CDC website or download the CDC’s free Milestone Tracker App. For a complete list of milestones, as well as a milestone moments checklist, visit the CDC website or download the CDC’s free Milestone Tracker App.