Developmental Milestones

Every child is unique and develops at his/her own pace. However, there are milestones that every child should reach at the right time and in the right sequence. If you suspect a problem, contact us. While some problems resolve on their own, most problems require intensive intervention by specialists. We are experts in child development, and we can help.

Milestones for 0-3 months:

baby working on developmental milestones

  • Lift and turn his/her head when placed on the stomach

  • When on his/her back, turn head to hear or see something

  • Use purposeful movements, though they are large and jerky

  • Bring hands to mouth

Milestones for 3-6 months:

3 to 6 month old child laying on stomach and holding their head upright while looking at their dog

  • Actively move arm (reach and swipe) when sees an object of interest

  • Grasp object voluntarily

  • Play with own hands and feet

  • Watch/play with hands/toys at midline

  • Transfer toys from hand to hand

  • When on stomach, lift head and chest with weight on hands

  • Hold head upright and steady

  • Roll from stomach to back and back to stomach

Milestones for 6-9 months:

6-9 months old child on all fours ready to crawl

  • Use index finger to poke

  • Hold/play with an object in each hand

  • Transfer objects from hand to hand

  • Pivot on stomach

  • Pull to hands and knees

  • Sit without help and play with toys

  • Begin to creep and crawl

Milestones for 10-12 months:

child cruising

  • Pull to stand and cruises along furniture

  • Stands alone and takes several independent steps

  • Move in and out of various positions to explore environment and get desired toys

  • Maintain balance in sitting when throwing objects

  • Clap hands

  • Release objects into a container with a large opening

  • Use thumb and pointer finger to pick up tiny objects

Milestones for 12-18 months:

child walking independently

  • Walk alone

  • Begin to walk sideways and backward

  • Come to standing without support

  • Crawl up and down stairs

  • Pick up small objects

  • Stack one object on top of another

  • Put objects in and dump them out of containers

  • Pull apart objects

Milestones for 2-3 years:

2-3 years old child reaching for bubbles

  • Walk well, run, stop, step up, squat down, walk on tiptoes

  • Walk up the stairs with an alternating foot pattern with one hand on rail

  • Walk down the stairs with a same-step foot placement

  • Jump two inches off ground or over a 2-inch hurdle

  • Jump down from a 4-inch step

  • Stand on one leg for 1-3 seconds

  • Kick a ball 3-6 feet

  • Throw a ball underhand

  • Begin learning to catch a ball from a short distance

  • Stack more than one object (blocks)

  • String large beads

  • Imitate drawing horizontal lines or circular scribble

Milestones for 3-4 years:

3 to 4 year old child riding a tricycle

  • Can run around obstacles

  • Can stand on one foot for 3-5 seconds

  • Stand on tiptoes for 3-5 seconds

  • Can walk in a line without stepping off

  • Can hop on one foot

  • Ride a tricycle

  • Can jump forward, down, and over objects with feet together

  • Catches a medium-sized ball

  • Throw a ball overhand and underhand

  • Can build a tower of 9 small cubes

  • Copy drawing of a circle

  • Imitate drawing a cross

  • Cut paper in half

Milestones for 4-6 years:

 

4 to 6 years old jumping and playing with a ball
 
 

  • Can stand on one foot for 10 seconds

  • Stand on tiptoes for 8 seconds without moving feet

  • Hop forward on one foot for 5 hops

  • Walk on a line backward

  • Can complete a forward roll/somersault

  • Gallop and skip forward

  • Walk up and down stairs, alternating steps, without support from the wall/rail

  • Catch a tennis ball

  • Print some letters

  • Skip, maintaining balance and rhythm

  • Hop forward 20 feet without losing balance

  • Walk on a balance beam

  • Jump over hurdles 10 inches high with a two-footed take-off and landing

  • Jump sideways back and forth

  • Cut out simple shapes

  • Copy triangle and print his/her name

  • Has a mature grasp of a pencil

  • Handedness is well established