Milestones
Milestones
A developmental milestone is a skill or ability children are most likely reach around or by a certain age. These are the small but important steps that show how your child is growing—like their first smile, rolling over, saying a new word, or playing pretend. Milestones help parents and caregivers see the progress children are making in their physical, thinking, communication, and social-emotional development.
Every child develops at their own pace, but milestones give you a general guide of what to look for and celebrate along the way. They’re not tests or deadlines—just helpful markers that highlight the amazing journey of growth in the first five years!
Understanding Milestone Categories & Definitions
To make early childhood development more approachable, we've defined each milestone category in simple terms, rooted in how children naturally grow through play, exploration, and relationships. These explanations tie into our FIELD approach, helping you see how everyday moments contribute to your child's fullest potential in the first five years.
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Physical Milestones: These focus on how your child builds strength, coordination, and control over their body, from big movements like rolling or walking to finer skills like grasping toys. Think of it as the foundation for active play and independence—fueling their energy and helping them explore the world safely, just like tummy time strengthening muscles for future adventures.
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Cognitive Milestones: This area covers your child's growing ability to think, learn, and solve problems, such as recognizing patterns, imitating actions, or understanding cause and effect. It's all about inspiring curiosity through simple discoveries, like hiding a toy to spark their sense of wonder, educating them on how the world works in relatable, hands-on ways.
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Communication Milestones: Here, we look at how your child expresses themselves and connects through sounds, words, gestures, and early literacy, from cooing and babbling to forming sentences. It simplifies learning by encouraging back-and-forth interactions, like reading books together, to develop their voice and confidence in sharing ideas with you and others.
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Social & Emotional Milestones: These highlight your child's developing relationships, emotions, and sense of self, including smiling at familiar faces, showing empathy, or playing alongside peers. By nurturing these through hugs, games, and routines, we help families build secure bonds that guide emotional growth, ensuring your child feels supported as they learn to navigate feelings and connections in their early years.
About Our Milestone Lists:
Your Trusted One-Stop Resource
At The Parent Field, we're committed to simplifying early childhood development for busy parents like you, drawing on academic research, educator insights, and real-life experiences to support the critical first five years. Our comprehensive milestone lists are carefully compiled from two highly respected, evidence-based sources: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Developmental Milestones and Ontario's Early Learning for Every Child Today (ELECT) framework. This creates a convenient one-stop shop, breaking down milestones into age categories (0-6 months, 6-12 months, 1-3 years, and 3-5 years) across key domains, so you can easily track your child's progress and find actionable ideas to nurture their growth. Check out our TOYS Page for lower cost ideas too!
The CDC, a leading U.S. federal public health agency, provides reliable milestones based on extensive research and collaboration with experts like the American Academy of Pediatrics. These guidelines help identify typical development patterns, empowering parents to act early if needed and promoting healthy outcomes through everyday play and interaction.
ELECT, developed by the Ontario Ministry of Education, is a trusted provincial framework that offers a shared understanding of how young children learn and develop, grounded in best practices for early childhood settings. It's widely used by educators to guide curriculum and pedagogy, emphasizing holistic, child-centered approaches that align perfectly with our mission to fuel, inspire, educate, learn, and develop together.
By blending these sources, we provide straightforward, research-backed tools to build your confidence as a parent—because understanding milestones isn't just about checklists; it's about celebrating your child's unique journey and fostering strong family connections.
0-6 MONTHS
Physical (Movement and motor skills)
Holds head up when on tummy.
Moves both arms and both legs.
Opens hands briefly
Tracks moving objects with eyes
Explores objects by mouthing.
Holds head steady without support when held.
Pushes up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy.
Lifts head briefly during tummy time
Reaches towards objects with palmar grasp
Rolls from tummy to back or side.
Holds a toy when placed in hand
Uses arm to swing at toys
Brings hands to mouth
Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
Leans on hands to support when sitting (early stages)
This pillow provides a soft incline and encourages babies to lift their head, push up on arms, and strengthen neck/upper body muscles.
As a hanging activity toy, babies will reach, swing, bat at it, and move arms and legs to engage with it.
This is easy to grasp and hold, encouraging babies to take hold, reach, and carry.
The light bar gives visual stimuli that move and change, encouraging babies to follow with their eyes.
Provides safe surfaces for mouthing, chewing, and exploring by mouth.
Provides interesting visual and auditory stimuli overhead or in front, encouraging the baby to focus and maintain head position.
Use the toys on the mat to motivate baby to push up in order to reach or inspect them.
A mirror draws baby’s gaze upward, encouraging brief head lifts to look at their reflection.
The open structure is easy for little fingers to grab, promoting palmar grasp and reach.
A set of tummy time tools (mirrors, crinkle toys, textured items). Variety keeps baby interested as their attention shifts.
The rattle is sized and shaped appropriately for a baby’s hand, making it easier to grip and hold when placed in their palm.
A hanging toy invites batting and swinging motions, which engages arms and coordination.
The teether/rattle set offers textures that encourage mouthing once baby’s hand approaches mouth.
This supports baby’s chest and gives a slight incline, making it easier to push upward while reaching for lights/sounds.
Great because babies can push down on animals / pop them up — encourages downward pressure through hands, which helps strengthen leaning on arms.
Cognitive (Learning, thinking, problem-solving)
Watches you as you move
Looks at a toy for several seconds
Tracks moving objects with eyes
Recognizes familiar faces and voices
Explores objects by looking or mouthing
Finds partially hidden objects (early object permanence)
Shifts attention with increasing ability
Repeats actions that produce outcomes
Looks at hands with interest
Opens mouth when seeing breast or bottle if hungry
Shows interest in own reflection (early self-awareness)
Social & Emotional(Interactions and feelings)
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Calms down when spoken to or picked up.
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Looks at your face.
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Seems happy to see you.
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Smiles when you talk or smile.
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Knows familiar people.
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Laughs.
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Smiles socially in response to faces.
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Shows excitement with body movements.
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Expresses comfort/discomfort, pleasure/displeasure.
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Becomes calm when comforted by familiar adults.
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Shows preference for familiar people.
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Notices and responds to distress of others.
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Shows affection with early gestures (e.g., reaching).
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Expresses emotions like joy or excitement.
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Seeks adults for comfort or play.
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Returns gaze of an adult.
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Stretches arms to be picked up.
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Prefers human faces over inanimate objects.
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Recovers from distress with adult support.
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Sucks fingers or observes own hands (sense of self).
Communication(Language and non-verbal)
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Makes sounds other than crying.
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Reacts to loud sounds.
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Makes sounds like “oooo”, “aahh” (cooing).
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Makes sounds back when you talk.
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Turns head towards your voice.
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Takes turns making sounds with you.
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Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows).
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Makes squealing noises.
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Coos, gurgles, or makes simple sounds.
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Turns head toward familiar voices.
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Uses gestures like shaking head “no” (early).
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Checks in with caregiver using eye contact.
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Looks at what an adult is looking at (joint attention).
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Points to direct adult’s attention (emerging).
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Shares attention with adult on same object.
6-12 MONTHS
Physical (Movement and motor skills)
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Rolls from tummy to back.
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Leans on hands to support when sitting.
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Gets to sitting position by themselves.
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Moves things from one hand to the other.
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Uses fingers to “rake” food.
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Sits without support.
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Pulls up to stand.
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Walks holding on to furniture.
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Drinks from a cup without a lid (with help).
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Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger.
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Crawls on hands and knees.
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Transfers object from hand to hand.
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Uses pincer grasp to lift small objects.
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Stands briefly with support.
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Takes first steps with assistance.
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Bangs objects together.
Social & Emotional(Interactions and feelings)
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Likes to look at self in mirror.
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Shows stranger anxiety.
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Enjoys interactive games like peek-a-boo.
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Shows affection with hugs or kisses.
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Expresses emotions like joy or frustration.
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Begins parallel play with others.
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Shows preference for familiar people.
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Offers comfort by touching.
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Seeks adults for support.
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Recovers from distress in secure relationship.
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Plays confidently in presence of caregiver.
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Frequently checks in with caregiver (social referencing).
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Shows pleasure in mastery of tasks.
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Distinguishes known people from strangers.
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Begins to sense behavior affects others.
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Expresses anger, anxiety, fear, sadness (emerging).
Cognitive(Learning, thinking, problem-solving)
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Puts things in mouth to explore.
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Reaches to grab a toy.
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Closes lips to show doesn’t want more food.
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Looks for objects when dropped out of sight.
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Bangs two things together.
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Puts something in a container.
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Looks for things hidden.
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Finds hidden objects.
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Imitates actions like waving or clapping.
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Explores how objects work (banging, shaking).
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Uses objects as tools (pulls string to get toy).
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Solves problems by trial and error.
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Imitates adult behavior (e.g., copying gestures).
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Takes part in pretend play with simple scenarios (e.g., caring for dolls).
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Shows increasing awareness of cause and effect.
Communication(Language and non-verbal)
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Makes different sounds like “mamamama”, “babababa”.
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Lifts arms to be picked up.
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Waves “bye-bye”.
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Calls parent “mama” or “dada”.
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Understands “no”.
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Babbles with consonant sounds.
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Says first word with meaning.
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Responds to simple words like “no” or “up”.
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Points to direct attention.
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Uses gestures (waving, pointing).
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Takes turns in simple games like peekaboo.
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Uses vocalizations to maintain connection across space.
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Checks in with caregiver using eye contact.
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Shares attention with adult on same object or photo.
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Shakes head to mean “no”.
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Uses gestures to show object purpose (e.g., pretending to drink).
1-3 YEARS
Physical(Movement and motor skills)
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Takes a few steps on own.
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Uses fingers to feed self some food.
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Walks without holding on.
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Scribbles.
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Drinks from cup without lid (may spill).
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Feeds self with fingers.
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Tries to use a spoon.
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Climbs on/off couch or chair without help.
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Kicks a ball.
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Runs.
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Walks up a few stairs with/without help.
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Eats with a spoon.
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Uses hands to twist things (doorknobs, lids).
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Takes some clothes off by self.
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Jumps off ground with both feet.
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Turns book pages one at a time.
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Buttons some buttons.
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Hops on one foot.
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Balances on one foot briefly.
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Climbs stairs one foot at a time.
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Rides tricycle with feet pushing.
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Uses utensils and cup independently.
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Strings large beads.
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Pours water with help.
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Unbuttons some buttons.
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Catches large ball with two hands.
Social & Emotional(Interactions and feelings)
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Copies other children while playing.
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Shows you an object they like.
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Claps when excited.
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Hugs stuffed doll or toy.
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Shows affection (hugs, kisses).
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Moves away but checks in with you.
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Points to show interesting things.
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Puts hands out for washing.
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Looks at pages in book with you.
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Helps dress by pushing arm through sleeve.
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Notices when others hurt/upset.
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Looks at face to react in new situation.
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Plays next to others, sometimes with them.
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Says “Look at me!”.
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Follows simple routines when told.
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Calms down within 10 minutes after you leave.
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Notices/joins other children in play.
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Shows empathy (comforts others).
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Displays independence (“I do it”).
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Begins cooperative play with guidance.
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Expresses wider range of emotions.
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Shows pleasure in mastering tasks.
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Seeks approval from adults.
Cognitive(Learning, thinking, problem-solving)
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Tries to use things the right way (phone, cup).
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Stacks at least two small objects.
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Copies doing chores (sweeping).
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Plays with toys in simple way (pushing car).
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Holds something in one hand while using other.
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Tries switches, knobs, buttons on toy.
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Plays with more than one toy at once.
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Draws a circle.
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Avoids hot objects when warned.
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Uses things to pretend (feeds block to doll).
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Shows simple problem-solving (stands on stool to reach).
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Follows two-step instructions.
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Knows at least one color.
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Counts to 10.
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Names numbers between 1-5 when pointed to.
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Uses words about time (“yesterday”).
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Pays attention 5-10 minutes during activities.
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Writes some letters in name.
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Names some letters when pointed to.
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Solves problems using objects as tools.
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Follows simple one-step instructions.
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Matches similar objects or colors.
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Begins pretend play.
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Sorts by color or size.
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Understands basic concepts (“big” vs. “small”).
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Shows increasing understanding of consequences.
Communication(Language and non-verbal)
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Tries to say 1-2 words besides “mama/dada”.
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Looks at familiar object when named.
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Follows directions with gesture and words.
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Points to ask for something/get help.
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Tries 3+ words besides “mama/dada”.
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Follows one-step directions without gestures.
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Points to things in book when asked.
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Says at least two words together.
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Points to at least two body parts.
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Uses more gestures (blowing kiss, nodding).
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Says about 50 words.
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Says two+ words with one action.
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Names things in book when pointed/asked.
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Says words like “I”, “me”, “we”.
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Talks with 2+ back-and-forth exchanges.
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Asks “who/what/where/why”.
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Says action happening in picture (“running”).
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Says first name when asked.
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Talks well enough for others to understand most time.
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Uses short sentences.
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Asks simple questions.
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Joins conversations.
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Uses gestures with intention to meet goals.
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Takes turns in back-and-forth vocal play.
3-5 Years
Physical(Movement and motor skills)
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Strings items like large beads/macaroni.
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Puts on some clothes by self.
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Uses a fork.
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Catches large ball most of time.
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Serves self food or pours water (with supervision).
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Unbuttons some buttons.
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Holds crayon/pencil between fingers/thumb (not fist).
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Buttons some buttons.
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Hops on one foot.
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Climbs stairs alternating feet.
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Balances on one foot longer.
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Rides tricycle smoothly, pedaling.
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Jumps forward.
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Draws recognizable shapes.
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Cuts with safety scissors.
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Dresses/undresses with minimal help.
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Kicks ball with aim.
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Throws ball overhand.
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Hops on one foot for a few seconds.
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Walks backward.
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Stands on tiptoes.
Social & Emotional(Interactions and feelings)
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Pretends to be something else in play.
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Asks to play with children if none around.
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Comforts hurt/sad others.
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Avoids danger (no jumping from heights).
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Likes to be a “helper”.
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Changes behavior based on setting.
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Follows rules/takes turns in games.
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Sings, dances, acts for you.
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Does simple chores at home.
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Shows empathy more consistently.
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Forms friendships.
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Shares and takes turns with guidance.
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Understands basic rules in games.
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Expresses pride in accomplishments.
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Shows concern for friends.
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Plays cooperatively in groups.
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Manages frustration with help.
Cognitive (Learning, thinking, problem-solving)
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Names a few colors.
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Tells what comes next in well-known story.
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Draws person with 3+ body parts.
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Counts to 10.
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Names numbers between 1-5 when pointed.
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Uses time words (“yesterday”, “tomorrow”).
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Pays attention 5-10 minutes.
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Writes some letters in name.
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Names some letters when pointed.
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Follows rules in games.
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Avoids touching hot objects.
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Draws a circle.
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Counts to 5 or recognizes letters.
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Solves simple puzzles.
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Understands time concepts (“later”).
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Sorts by multiple attributes (color, size).
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Engages in complex pretend play.
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Uses things to pretend.
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Names days of week.
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Recognizes patterns.
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Completes 10-piece puzzle.
Communication(Language and non-verbal)
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Says sentences with 4+ words.
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Says words from song/story/rhyme.
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Talks about one thing from day.
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Answers simple questions (“What is a coat for?”).
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Counts to 10.
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Keeps conversation going 3+ exchanges.
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Uses/recognizes simple rhymes.
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Speaks in full sentences.
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Tells simple stories/describes events.
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Asks “why/how” questions.
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Uses questions to clarify understanding.
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Engages in longer conversations.
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Names most common objects.
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Uses past tense correctly.
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Tells a longer story with help.
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Understands opposites (big/small).
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Follows 3-step instructions.