Milestones, without the panic
CDC’s twelve checklists from 2 months to 5 years, 159 milestones in all, quoted word for word. Each is something most children can do by that age, so “not yet” is a question for the visit, never a red flag.
“Developmental milestones are things most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age.”
““Learn the Signs. Act Early.” materials are not a substitute for standardized, validated developmental screening tools.”
DEV: general developmental screening (AAP, at 9, 18 and 30 months). ASD: autism screening (AAP, at 18 and 24 months). Source: CDC
2 months
11 CDC milestonesAt 2 months the checklist is mostly about connection: looking at your face, calming when spoken to or held, and the first social smiles. The movement items are small but real, such as lifting the head during tummy time and opening the hands. Sounds other than crying count as language at this age, and so does reacting to a loud noise.Open the checklist 4 months
13 CDC milestonesBy 4 months babies start to use their bodies and voices on purpose. The list includes cooing, turning toward your voice and making sounds back when you talk, alongside steadier head control when held and pushing up onto the forearms on the tummy. Bringing hands to the mouth and swinging at toys are early steps toward reaching and grasping.Open the checklist 6 months
12 CDC milestonesSix months is when exploring with the hands and mouth takes off: reaching for a wanted toy, mouthing objects, and closing the lips to say "no more" at a meal. Socially, babies recognise familiar people and laugh. Rolling from tummy to back and leaning on the hands while sitting are the movement milestones on the list.Open the checklist 9 monthsDEV
13 CDC milestonesThe 9-month list has the most social items of the first year: stranger wariness, reacting when you leave, looking when called by name and enjoying peek-a-boo. Babbling with repeated syllables appears in the language section. Sitting without support, getting into a sitting position alone and moving objects from hand to hand are the movement milestones. AAP recommends a developmental screening at this visit.Open the checklist 12 months
10 CDC milestonesAround the first birthday the checklist shifts toward intention and imitation: waving bye-bye, a special name for a parent, understanding "no", and looking for a toy hidden under a blanket. Pulling up to stand and cruising along furniture are listed, but walking alone is not; that appears at 15 months on the revised checklists.Open the checklist 15 months
13 CDC milestonesThe 15-month checklist was added in the 2022 revision. It is where first words beyond "mama" and "dada" appear, along with pointing to ask for something and following a direction that comes with a gesture. Taking a few steps alone is listed here. Many items are social: showing you an object, clapping when excited and copying other children.Open the checklist 18 monthsDEVASD
15 CDC milestonesAt 18 months the list adds independence with a safety check: moving away from you while looking back to make sure you are close. Three or more words and following a one-step direction without a gesture are the language items. Walking without holding on, scribbling and trying a spoon are among the six movement items. AAP recommends developmental and autism screening at this visit.Open the checklist 2 yearsASD
13 CDC milestonesAt 2 years the headline language item is putting two words together, such as "more milk", alongside pointing to body parts and pictures in a book. Children notice when someone is upset and check your face in new situations. Running, kicking a ball and walking up a few stairs are listed for movement. AAP recommends autism screening at this visit.Open the checklist 30 monthsDEV
15 CDC milestonesThe 30-month checklist, also new in 2022, is where "about 50 words" and two-word phrases with an action word appear. Pretend play, simple problem-solving and following two-step instructions show up in the cognitive section, and children start to show off what they can do. AAP recommends a developmental screening at this visit.Open the checklist 3 years
12 CDC milestonesAt 3 years conversation becomes the focus: back-and-forth exchanges, who/what/where/why questions and speech that others can understand most of the time. Socially, the list includes calming within 10 minutes after a drop-off and joining other children to play. Using a fork and putting on some clothes are among the movement items.Open the checklist 4 years
17 CDC milestonesThe 4-year list is the longest, with six social items: pretend play, asking to play with other children, comforting a friend and changing behaviour to suit a place. Four-word sentences and talking about something from the day are listed for language, and drawing a person with three or more body parts for thinking.Open the checklist 5 years
15 CDC milestonesAt 5 years the checklist looks toward school: following rules and taking turns in games, telling a story with at least two events, counting to 10 and naming some letters and numbers. Paying attention for 5 to 10 minutes during an activity is listed, with CDC noting that screen time does not count. Hopping on one foot is one of two movement items.Open the checklist