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.