Milestones help you understand how your child learns and grows. Cognitive development is critical to a child’s growth. It describes how a child’s brain develops, and includes skills such as thinking, learning, exploring and problem solving. It also affects other areas of a child’s development, including language and social skills.
Newborn
Sees objects that are eight to 12 inches away from his/her face.
Is sensitive to sounds close by.
Startles to loud noises by arching back, kicking legs and flailing arms.
1 Month
Watches objects and faces briefly and follows moving object with eyes.
Startles to loud noises by arching back, kicking legs and flailing arms.
2 Months
Follows moving object, such as rattle or toy, with eyes.
Recognizes familiar people at a distance.
Cries or fusses if bored.
Startles to loud noises.
3 Months
Recognizes breast or bottle.
Follows movement by turning head.
Startles at loud noises.
4 Months
Watches moving objects, moves eyes from side to side to watch.
Communicates if happy or sad.
Watches faces and looks at your face while feeding.
Reaches for toys and brings toys to mouth.
6 Months
Uses hands and mouth to explore the world.
Transfers objects from hand to hand.
Tries to get things that are out of reach.
Looks around at things.
9 Months
Watches an object as it falls.
Looks for objects that he/she saw you hide.
Transfers things smoothly from hand to hand.
Plays "peek-a-boo."
Uses thumb and index finger to pick things up, such as cereal Os.
Turns pages in a book.
Puts things in mouth.
12 Months
Puts objects in and out of containers.
Looks at the correct picture when it's named.
Bangs things together.
Begins to use common objects correctly (drinks from a cup, brushes hair).
Follows simple directions, such as “pick up your book.”
Explores things by banging, shaking or throwing.
Pokes with index finger.
Lets go of things without help.
18 Months
Scribbles with crayon or pencil.
Points to at least one body part.
Follows one-step directions without any gestures (for example, sits when you say “sit”).
Knows what common objects are for, such as a phone, brush or spoon.
Points to get the attention of others.
Shows interest in a stuffed animal or doll, and plays pretend.
Enjoys books, stories and songs.
Turns pages of a book.
2 Years
Builds a tower of four or more blocks.
Finds things even when hidden under two or more covers.
Explores how things work by touching them and trying them out.
Begins to sort shapes and colors.
Follows two-step directions such as, “pick up your truck and put it on the shelf.”
Plays simple pretend or make-believe games.
Names items in a book such as a dog, cat, car or baby.
Completes sentences and rhymes in familiar books.
3 Years
Does puzzles with three or four pieces.
Draws or copies a circle with crayon or pencil.
Plays make-believe with dolls, animals and people.
Uses imagination to create stories or play.
Matches and sorts objects by shape and color.
Works toys with buttons, levers and moving parts (for example, makes mechanical toys work).
Knows what “two” means.
Turns pages one at a time.
Knows common colors.
Screws and unscrews jar lids, and turns door handles.
4 Years
Copies simple shapes.
Understands the concepts of “same” and “different.”
Follows instructions with two or three steps.
Understands the concept of counting and may know numbers.
Draws a person with two to four body parts.
Begins to understand time.
Knows basic colors.
Uses scissors.
Copies letters.
Plays board games or card games.
Tells you what he thinks will happen next in a story.
5 Years
Counts 10 or more objects.
Names at least four colors correctly.
Understands items used every day such as food or money.
Draws a person with at least six body parts.
Copies a triangle and other geometric shapes.
Understands the concept of time.
Prints some letters and numbers.
Recognizes own printed name and may be able to write name.
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