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Developmental milestones

Child's Age	Mastered Skills (most kids can do)	Emerging Skills (half of kids can do)	Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)	Recommended Toys/Gifts
1 month	Lifts head when lying on tummy Responds to sound Stares at faces	Follows objects briefly with eyes Vocalizes: oohs and aahs Can see black-and-white patterns	Smiles, laughs Holds head at 45-degree angle	- Bouncers - Diapers - Wipes - Rattles - Soothers
2 months	Vocalizes: gurgles and coos Follows objects across field of vision Notices his hands Holds head up for short periods	Smiles, laughs Holds head at 5-degree angle. Makes smoother movements	Holds head steady Can bear weight on legs Lifts head and shoulders when lying on tummy (mini-pushup)	- Bouncers - Diapers - Wipes - Rattles - Soothers
3 months	Recognizes your face and scent Holds head steady Visually tracks moving objects	Squeals, gurgles, coos Blows bubbles Recognizes your voice Does mini-pushup	Rolls over, from tummy to back Turns toward loud sounds Can bring hands together, bats at toys	- Activity center - Light weight rattles - Activity bars - Soft stuffed animals - Squeaky rubber toys - Board books - Colorful teething rings - Activity quilts and play-mat
4 months	Smiles, laughs Can bear weight on legs Coos when you talk to him	Can grasp a toy Rolls over, from tummy to back	Imitates sounds: "baba," "dada" Cuts first tooth May be ready for solid foods
5 months	Distinguishes between bold colors Plays with his hands and feet	Recognizes own name Turns toward new sounds Rolls over in both directions	Sits momentarily without support Mouths objects Separation anxiety may begin
6 months	Turns toward sounds and voices Imitates sounds Rolls over in both directions	Is ready for solid foods Sits without support Mouths objects Passes objects from	Lunges forward or starts crawling Jabbers or combines syllables Drags objects toward himself	- Busy Board - Soft dolls or stuffed animals - Hosehold items - Wood or soft blocks - Moving toys - Books
7 months	Sits without support. Drags objects toward herself	Lunges forward or starts Jabbers or combines syllables Starts to experience stranger	Waves goodbye Stands while holding onto something Bangs objects together Begins to understand object permanence
8 months	Says "mama" and "dada" to both parents (isn't specific) Passes objects from hand to hand	Stands while holding onto something Crawls Points at objects Searches for hidden objects	Pulls self to standing, cruises Picks things up with thumb-finger. Indicatepincer grasps wants with gestures
9 months	Stands while holding onto something Jabbers or combines syllables Understands object permanence	Cruises while holding onto furniture Drinks from a sippy cup Eats with fingers Bangs objects together	Plays patty-cake and peek-a-boo Says "mama" and "dada" to the correct parent	- Push Toys - Shape Sorters - Balls - Toy telephone - Books - Blocks - Pail & shovel
11 months	Says "mama" and "dada" to the correct parent Plays patty-cake and peek-a-boo Stands alone for a couple of seconds Cruises	Understands "no" and simple instructions Puts objects into a container	Says one word besides "mama" and "dada" Stoops from standing position
12 months	Imitates others' activities Indicates wants with gestures	Takes a few steps Says one word besides "mama" and "dada"	Walks alone Scribbles with a crayon Says two words besides "mama" and "dada"
13 months	Uses two words skillfully (e.g., "hi" and "bye") Bends over and picks up an object	Enjoys gazing at his reflection Holds out arm or leg to help you dress him	Combines words and gestures to make needs known Rolls a ball back and forth	- SCRIBBLE TOYS - Large building bricks/blocks - Push n pull toys - Sorting n nesting toys - Climbing gym - Balls - Washable Crayons/papers - Ride one vehicles - Tool bench or toy kitchen - Picture book
14 months	Eats with fingers Empties containers of contents Imitates others	Toddles well Initiates games Points to one body part when asked Responds to instructions (e.g., "give me a kiss")	Uses a spoon or fork Matches lids with appropriate containers Pushes and pulls toys while walking
15 months	Plays with ball Uses three words regularly Walks backward	Scribbles with a crayon Runs Adopts "no" as his favorite word	"Helps" around the house Puts his fingers to his mouth and says "shhh"
16 months	Turns the pages of a book Has temper tantrums when frustrated Becomes attached to a soft toy or other object	Discovers the joy of climbing Stacks three blocks Uses spoon or fork Learns the correct way to use common objects (e.g., the telephone)	Takes off one piece of clothing by himself Gets finicky about food Switches from two naps to one
17 months	Uses six words regularly Enjoys pretend games Likes riding toys	Feeds doll Speaks more clearly Throws a ball underhand	Dances to music Sorts toys by color, shape, or size Kicks ball forward
18 months	Will "read" board books on his own Scribbles well	Strings two words together in phrases Brushes teeth with help Stacks four blocks	Throws a ball overhand Takes toys apart and puts them back together Shows signs of toilet training readiness
19 months	Uses a spoon and fork Runs Throws a ball underhand Enjoys helping around the house	Understands as many as 200 words Recognizes when something is wrong (e.g., calling a dog a cat)	Washes and dries own hands with help Points to picture or object when you call it by name May know when she needs to pee	18-24months -plastic tea set or play house - Large n Small blocks -Toy Instruments -Puzzles -Illustrated books n cassette tapes - train sets - washable crayon n paper
20 months	Feeds doll Takes off own clothes Dumps an object in imitation, such as throwing garbage away	Learns words at a rate of ten or more a day Can walk up stairs (but probably not down)	May start exploring genitals Draws a straight line Names several body parts
21 months	Can walk up stairs Able to set simple goals (e.g., deciding to put a toy in a certain place)	Throws a ball overhand Kicks ball forward Stacks six blocks	Names simple picture in a book Can walk down stairs
22 months	Kicks ball forward Follows two-step requests (e.g., "Get your doll and bring it here")	Does simple puzzles Draws a straight line Names several body parts	Puts on loose-fitting clothes Might be ready for a big bed Understands opposites (e.g., tall vs. short)
23 months	Names simple picture in a book Uses 50 to 70 words	Opens doors Sings simple tunes Takes more of an interest in playing with other kids	Talks about self (likes, dislikes) Asks "why?"
24 months	Names at least six body parts Half of speech is understandable Makes two- to three-word sentences	Talks about self Arranges things in categories Can walk down stairs	Begins to understand abstract concepts (e.g., sooner and later) Becomes attuned to gender differences Learns to jump	- ride on toys - Balls - Art Supplies - Percussive instruments - dress up clothes - child sized house hold equipments - construction toys - puzzles and manipulatives
25 & 26 months	Stacks six blocks Walks with smooth heel-to-toe motion	Uses pronouns (e.g., I, me, you) Washes and dries own hands	Speaks clearly most of the time Draws a vertical line
27 & 28 months	Jumps with both feet Opens doors	Understands descriptions (e.g., big, soft) Draws a vertical line	Starts to recognize ABCs. Balances on one foot
29 & 30 months	Brushes teeth with help Washes and dries own hands Draws a vertical line	Draws a circle Balances on one foot	Puts on a T-shirt Names one color Names one friend	- Tricycle - Wagon - Art supplies - Play kitchen - Sand toys - Books - Bath toys - Large construction blocks - Pull toys - Puzzles
31 & 32 months	Recites own name Draws a circle	Puts on a T-shirt Balances on each foot for a second Recognizes ABCs Brushes teeth by herself	Uses two adjectives Draws a cross Points to objects described by use
33 & 34 months	Names one color Names one friend Carries on a simple conversation	Alternates feet going up and down stairs Uses prepositions (e.g., on, in, over) Speaks clearly most of the time (75 percent can be understood) Stacks eight blocks	Is toilet trained during the day Wiggles thumb Expresses a wide range of emotions. Draws a stick figure
35 & 36 months	Describes how two objects are used Uses three to four words in a sentence Names two actions (e.g., skipping, jumping)	Hops and skips Follows a two- or three-part command Separates fairly easily from parents Rides a tricycle	Balances on each foot for three seconds Gets dressed without help
3 years	Are you eagerly awaiting the major milestones your child will hit this year? The good news: There are several. Your preschooler will probably be a chatterbox intent on telling stories. Typically, though not always, by ages 3 to 4, children have mastered potty training and overcome separation anxiety. These gains in independence are marked by your child's ability to make friends with other kids his age and increased skill at doing things for himself, such as dressing, washing, and brushing his own teeth.	Having a 3-year-old can make you proud and completely nuts all at the same time. Because your child's verbal skills and physical abilities have expanded so much since her wobbly 2-year-old days, it's easy to fall into the trap of expecting more from her than she can always deliver. Progress is gradual. Although preschoolers sound and look capable of much more now, social and emotional maturity take time to develop — and that means lots of patience on your part. She still has faulty logic and a healthy ego. She thinks the world revolves around her — as it should at this age.	Imagination is the operative word when it comes to 3-year-olds. At this stage, toddlers love to pretend, enjoy creating new things, and are in full control of their physical skills	Gifts for a 3year old - Play sets (Dollhouse, Farm, etc.) - Art kits - Construction Toys - Dress-up box - Books - Doctor's kits - Memory games - Beauty set - Playground toys - Dress-up dolls
4 years	It's never too early to help your child become a reader. But at this stage it's more important to teach your preschooler to love books and stories than it is to worry about teaching your child the mechanics of reading. Here are 12 things you can do to help your pre-reader get off to a good start: Use books to bond. Make reading time special for you and your child. Set up a routine and pick a favorite "book nook" — a comfortable place to read. Bedtime stories are traditional, but think about other times of the day you and your child can share books, such as over breakfast, during bath time, or after preschool. Talk about the pictures. Words aren't the main attraction for pre-readers. Pick out books with vibrant colors and beautiful pictures, and talk about the illustrations with your child. When you're reading the story aloud, stop once in a while to discuss the picture and how it relates to the story. This prepares your child for the early reading stage, when she'll use pictures for clues about what each page says. Model good behavior. Your child wants to be like you. Read around your child. Don't wait until after bedtime to dive into your novel. When you're reading mail, shopping lists, notes, or catalogs, share what you're reading with your child. When you read to your child, read with expression. Show her that books can come to life. Get silly. Make animal noises. Toot and make chug-chug noises when you read The Little Engine That Could. Be loud and soft and everything in between. Sing part of the book if you're in the mood. Ask her to do the same when reading books to you. Point to the words as you read. Pre-readers are learning the basics: that print runs left to right and top to bottom, for example, and that books have a cover and a back. Emphasize the parts of the book by showing your child the cover and following the words you read with your finger. Find books that relate to your child's interests. Introduce your child to books about a variety of subjects: dinosaurs, cars, fairy godmothers, movie stars and rock stars, magic tricks, and so on. Help your child find exciting books that appeal to her current interests. You might not want to read a Teletubbies or Barney book again and again, but your child will love it. Talk about a book as you read it. Even before your child can read, you can start building comprehension skills. Talk with your child about a book: "What do you think this book is about?" "What's he doing in this picture?" "What do you think he'll do next?" This is especially fun when your child has a favorite book and can "predict" what's going to happen. Read everywhere you go. You'll show your child that reading is an important part of everyday life. When you see a stop sign or other familiar sign, read it out loud: "S, T, O, P. That says stop!" Read store signs, menus, everything you see. Encourage your child to "read" familiar signs. This will reinforce her sense of mastering reading. Make books part of everyday life, not a special treat. Don't tell your child she can listen to a story only if she finishes her dinner. When reading is associated with systems of reward and punishment, it loses its appeal. Instead, pick times to read that feel natural and fun for you and your child. Go with the flow. Don't make your child sit through a book if she's restless. As your child gets older, her attention span will increase.			- Bikes - Scooters - Laptops - Realistic role plays
Age 5	Are you eagerly awaiting the major milestones your child will hit this year? The good news: There are several. Your kindergartner will speak clearly in full sentences and generally use the right words to indicate what she means. Kids this age are usually completely self-sufficient in the bathroom, and many can tie their own shoelaces. Your child will also become much more independent. Adults (such as teachers) and her peers will play an increasingly important role in her life as she becomes more social. Cognitive development Talking milestones What to expect your kindergartner to achieve by the end of the year: Uses past, present, and future tenses accurately Recalls and can repeat a sentence of at least eight words Talks in complex sentences that often run together Social and emotional development What to expect your kindergartner to achieve by the end of the year shows more interest in peers and adults outside of the family. Tests the limits of her independence — sometimes to the point of being rude			- Bikes - Scooters - Laptops - Realistic role plays

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