Early Childhood Development Milestones to age 5
Every child is unique. No two children develop, grow and learn at exactly the same pace. And yet children develop in predictable ways. The milestones indicated here are just some of the indicators that a child is developing typically. Take notes as your little one learns. Babies and toddlers are growing, learning and changing all the time. It’s fun to watch! We suggest you keep track of the new things they do and the milestones they reach. If you are concerned about your child’s growth, development or learning, we encourage you to contact us at HelpMeGrowMN.org or 1-866-693-4769.
Track These Milestones
Newborn
Congratulations!
3 Months
- Follows movement by turning head
- Lifts head and chest when lying on stomach
- Moves arms and legs easily
- Startles at loud noises
- Cries, smiles, coos
- Quiets to familiar voice or touch
6 Months
- Rolls over in both directions
- Begins to sit with a little help
- Coos, babbles, squeals, laughs
- Knows familiar faces and begins to know if someone is a stranger
- Uses hands and mouth to explore the world
- Transfers objects from hand to hand
9 Months
- Sits well without support
- Creeps or crawls
- Holds two objects at the same time
- Responds to own name
- Makes sounds like "dada", "mama", "baba"
- Shows feelings by smiling, crying, pointing
12 Months
- Pulls to stand, walks holding onto furniture
- Uses simple gestures, like shaking head “no” or waving “bye-bye”
- Says “mama” and “dada”
- Shows preference for certain people and toys
- Imitates gestures, sounds and actions
- Puts objects in and out of containers
We recommend immediate referral: if your baby isn’t babbling, pointing and gesturing by 12 months.
18 Months
- Walks alone; begins to run
- Says three or more single words
- Tries new things with familiar adults nearby
- Points to one body part
- Scribbles with a crayon or pencil
- Shows interest in other children
Refer your toddler at 16 months: If he or she isn’t saying single words like "mama".
2 Years
- Kicks a ball forward
- Walks up and down stairs holding on
- Points to things or pictures in a book when named
- Uses two or three words together
- Plays briefly beside other children
- Builds towers of four or more blocks
We recommend immediate referral: If your toddler isn’t using two-word phrases by 2 years.
3 Years
- Climbs and runs well
- Builds with blocks; may build a tower of six blocks
- Uses three word sentences
- Shows concern and affection for others
- Plays make-believe with dolls, animals and people
- Does puzzles with three or four pieces
4 Years
- Catches a bounced ball most of the time
- Tells stories and recalls parts of stories
- Plays cooperatively with other children
- Copies simple shapes
- Understand the concept of “same” and “different”
- Follows instructions with two or three steps
5 Years
- Hops; may be able to skip
- Speaks clearly in sentences of five or more words
- Counts 10 or more objects
- Draws a person with at least six body parts
- Wants to please friends and wants to be like friends
We recommend immediate referral: If your little one seems to be losing language skills or social skills at any age.
This initiative is made possible through an interagency agreement from the Minnesota Department of Education to the Metro ECSU using federal funding under CFDA number 84.181 Special Education Grants for Infants and Families with Disabilities.
Refer a child for screening or evaluation at HelpMeGrowMN.org or by calling 1-866-693-4769.
You can also call 1-866-693-4769 to refer a child.
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