Birth through Five Milestones

Is your child reaching milestones?

No two children develop and grow at exactly the same pace. This guide lists a few things you can look for as you watch your child's growth and development. If you have questions or concerns about how your child is growing or developing, you may want to talk to your child's doctor or complete an online referral.

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Early On Michigan:

For free help and information for children from birth to age 3 with possible developmental delays or disabilities, call 1-800-Early-On (1-800-327-5966).

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BuildUp MI:

Build Up helps parents and their children ages 3 to 5 who are having difficulty learning and who may be in need of special education supports and/or services. Visit buildupmi.org.

2
Months
Hold head erect
Hold head erect, bobbing when supported in sitting position
Imitate or respond
Imitate or respond with occasional smile to smiling person
Follows moving
Follows moving person with eyes
Vocalize
Vocalize
Move both legs and arms
Move both legs and arms equally well
X
4
Months
Have good head control
Have good head control
Roll from side to side
Roll from side to side
Begin reaching
Begin reaching
Laugh aloud
Laugh aloud
ake object when held near hand
Take object, such as a rattle, when held near hand
ollow moving object
Follow moving object when held in sitting position
Enjoy play
Enjoy play
Use conforting when distressed
Use conforting when distressed
X
6
Months
Sit with a little help
Sit with a little help
Roll from back to stomach
Roll from back to stomach
Support weight
Support weight; bounce activity
Babble - more than 2 scounds
Babble - more than 2 scounds
Hold 1 toy
Hold 1 toy and reach for another
X
9
Months
Sit alone
Sit alone - change position without falling
Creep or crawl
Creep or crawl on all fours
Express affection
Express affection
Hold 2 objects
Hold 2 objects at the same time
Say mama/dada
Say mama/dada
how fear of strangers
Show fear of strangers
X
12
Months
Pull self to standing
Pull self to standing - may step with support
Pick things up
Pick things up with thumb and 1 finger
Put toy in another
Put toy in another
Give toy on request
Give toy on request
Give affection
Give affection
Follow simple directions
Follow simple directions accompanied by guestures
Say 2 or 3 words
Say 2 or 3 words
X
2
Years
Kick a large ball
Kick a large ball
Turn pages of a book
Turn pages of a book
Imitate housework
Imitate housework
Ask for items by name
Ask for items by name
Recognize familiar pictures
Recognize familiar pictures - know if it is upside down
Use 2 or 3 words together
Use 2 or 3 words together, such as "more juice"
X
3
Years
Walk up stairs
Walk up stairs
Stand momentarily on 1 foot
Stand momentarily on 1 foot
Jump up with both feet
Jump up with both feet
Feed self
Feed self
Put on a coat
Put on a coat with help
Verbalize toilet needs
Verbalize toilet needs
X
4
Years
Doing new things
Enjoy doing new things
Play with other children
Would rather play with other children than by themselves
Sings a song or says a poem
Sings a song or says a poem from memory such as "Itsy Bitsy Spider" or "Wheels on the Bus"
Can say first and last name
Can say first and last name
Able to name some colors and numbers
Able to name some colors and numbers
Catches a bounced ball
Catches a bounced ball most of the time
Can't tell what's real
Often can't tell what's real and what's make-believe
X
5
Years
Hops
Hops; may be able to skip
print some letters
Can print some letters or numbers
sing, dance and act
Likes to sing, dance and act
gender
Is aware of gender
make-believe
Can tell what's real and what's make-believe
play simple games
Can play simple games such as Candy Land and Go Fish
Friends
Wants to be like friends
Demanding
Is sometimes demanding and sometimes very cooperative
X
2
Months
4
Months
6
Months
9
Months
12
Months
2
Years
3
Years
4
Years
5
Years

CDC's™ Developmental Milestones

Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “bye bye” are called developmental milestones. Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move.