Milestones
Learn what to expect with a neurotypical child, one without significant developmental or neurological challenges. From all the facets of your child's development life including socializing, communicating, cognitive functioning, and movement.
Milestones by Type
These milestones, which encompass physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains, serve as essential markers of their progress and maturation. In this section, we will explore the key developmental milestones that neurotypical children typically achieve as they journey from infancy to early adolescence, shedding light on the incredible transformations that shape their path towards independence and adulthood.
Social and Emotional
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Copies adults and friends
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Shows affection for friends without prompting
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Takes turns in games
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Shows concern for crying friend
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Understands the idea of “mine” and “his” or “hers”
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Shows a wide range of emotions
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Separates easily from mom and dad
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May get upset with major changes in routine
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Dresses and undresses self
Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
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Can work toys with buttons, levers, and moving parts
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Plays make-believe with dolls, animals, and people
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Completes puzzles with 3 or 4 pieces
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Understands what “two” means
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Copies a circle with a pencil or crayon
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Turns book pages one at a time
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Builds towers of more than 6 blocks
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Screws and unscrews jar lids or turns door handles
Language/communication
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Follows instructions with 2 or 3 steps
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Can name most familiar things
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Understands words like “in,” “on,” and “under”
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Says first name, age, and sex
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Names a friend
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Says words like “I,” “me,” “we,” and “you” and some plurals (cars, dogs, cats)
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Talks well enough for strangers to understand most of the time
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Carries on a conversation using 2 to 3 sentences
Movement/Physical Development
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Climbs well
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Runs easily
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Pedals a tricycle (3-wheel bike)
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Walks up and down stairs, one foot on each step
Milestones by Age
Each child develops at their own pace. Some children may reach milestones earlier or later than others, but as long as a child is progressing generally in the same direction as their peers, it is usually not a cause for concern. If a child is not meeting milestones, or there is a significant delay in reaching them, it is
recommended to seek an evaluation with a qualified professional such as a pediatrician, developmental pediatrician, or a psychologist.
Birth - 3 months
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Smiling
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Cooing
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Tracking things with their eyes
8 - 12 Months
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Standing with support
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Cruising (walking while holding on to furniture)
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Beginning to use simple gestures such as pointing
18 - 24 Months
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Running
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Climbing stairs
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Using more complex words and phrases
3 - 4 Years
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Riding a tricycle
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Understanding Concepts like "in" and "on"
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Identifying basic shapes and colors
4 - 7 Months
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Sitting up without support
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Crawling
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Using their hands to explore objects
12 - 18 Months
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Walking independently
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Using simple words
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Beginning to understand basic concepts such as "up" and "down"
2 - 3 years
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Playing with others
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Using two to three-word sentences
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Understanding simple instructions
4 -5 Years Old
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Drawing simple pictures
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Jumping
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Catching a ball
5 - 6 Years Old
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Skipping
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Writing simple letters and numbers
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Understanding time concepts such as "yesterday" and "tomorrow"