Developmental Milestones
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently revised their developmental milestones and parenting guidance, introducing new checklist ages at 15 and 30 months. The update process has been impacted by COVID-19, leading to a temporary delay in the addition of new photos and videos to their website, though these will be reinstated in the future. For detailed insights into these changes, refer to the article in the Pediatrics journal that elaborates on the updates.
Developmental milestones refer to significant achievements in a child’s growth, such as taking their first step, smiling for the first time, or waving goodbye. These milestones, which encompass aspects like play, learning, speech, behavior, and physical movements (like crawling and walking), are key indicators of a child’s developmental progress. Typically, most children (at least 75%) reach these milestones by certain ages.
By exploring the milestone checklists for different ages, you can gain valuable insights into your child’s development in various areas, including how they play, learn, communicate, behave, and move. These milestones serve as useful benchmarks to gauge and understand your child’s growth and development.
Typical Behaviors for Babies at This Age:
- Social/Emotional Development:
- Becomes calmer when spoken to or held
- Gazes at your face
- Shows delight upon seeing you approach
- Smiles in response to your conversation or smile
Language/Communication Development:
- Produces sounds beyond crying
- Notices and reacts to loud noises
- Cognitive Development (Learning, Thinking, Problem-Solving):
- Follows your movements with their eyes
- Focuses on a toy for an extended period
Movement/Physical Development:
- Can lift head while lying on stomach
- Moves both arms and legs actively
- Briefly opens hands
Important Observations to Discuss with Your Pediatrician:
- Activities you and your baby enjoy together
- Your baby’s preferred activities
- Any behaviors or lack thereof that cause concern
- Loss of previously acquired skills
- Any specific healthcare needs, including premature birth
These milestones and observations can provide critical insights into your baby’s development and well-being.
Common Milestones for Babies at This Age:
- Social/Emotional Development:
- Initiates smiles to gain your attention
- Giggles softly (not yet full laughter) in response to your playful actions
- Seeks or maintains attention through looking, moving, or making noises
Language/Communication Development:
- Vocalizes sounds such as “oooo” and “aahh” (cooing)
- Responds with sounds when spoken to
- Turns head towards the direction of your voice
Cognitive Development (Learning, Thinking, Problem-Solving):
- Opens mouth in anticipation of feeding upon seeing breast or bottle
- Shows interest in looking at hands
Movement/Physical Development:
- Maintains steady head control without support while being held
- Grasps and holds a toy when placed in hand
- Swats at toys using arms
- Brings hands to mouth
- Pushes up onto elbows or forearms during tummy time
Essential Observations to Discuss with Your Pediatrician:
- Activities you and your baby enjoy together
- Your baby’s favorite activities
- Any concerns about your baby’s actions or inactions
- Any regression in previously acquired skills
- Specific healthcare needs, including any issues related to premature birth
These milestones are key indicators of your baby’s developmental progress and are important to monitor and discuss with healthcare professionals.
Typical Developmental Milestones for Babies at This Age:
Social/Emotional Development:
- Recognizes and is familiar with close people
- Enjoys looking at their reflection in a mirror
- Expresses joy through laughter
Language/Communication Development:
- Engages in back-and-forth sound exchanges
- Playfully sticks out tongue and blows (making “raspberries”)
- Produces high-pitched, joyful sounds
Cognitive Development (Learning, Thinking, Problem-Solving):
- Explores objects by putting them in the mouth
- Reaches out to grasp desired toys
- Indicates disinterest in more food by closing lips
Movement/Physical Development:
- Rolls over from stomach to back
- Pushes up using straight arms when lying on the stomach
- Sits with support, leaning on hands
Important Points to Discuss with Your Pediatrician:
- Shared activities between you and your baby
- Your baby’s preferred activities
- Any specific behaviors or lack thereof that are concerning
- Loss of skills that your baby had previously acquired
- Special healthcare requirements, including issues related to premature birth
Monitoring these milestones can offer important insights into your baby’s growth and development, and discussing them with a healthcare provider can be beneficial.
Typical Behaviors for Babies at This Age:
Social/Emotional Development:
- Exhibits shyness, attachment, or fear with unfamiliar people
- Displays a range of facial expressions, such as happiness, sadness, anger, and surprise
- Responds to their name being called
- Shows reaction to your departure, such as looking, reaching, or crying
- Enjoys and reacts positively to games like peek-a-boo
Language/Communication Development:
- Vocalizes various sounds, including repetitions like “mamamama” or “bababababa”
- Raises arms indicating a desire to be picked up
Cognitive Development (Learning, Thinking, Problem-Solving):
- Searches for objects that have fallen out of sight, such as a spoon or toy
- Enjoys banging objects together
Movement/Physical Development:
- Manages to sit up independently
- Transfers objects from one hand to the other
- Uses fingers to pull food towards themselves
- Sits steadily without support
Important Aspects to Discuss with Your Pediatrician:
- Shared activities and experiences with your baby
- Activities that your baby enjoys
- Any behaviors or developmental milestones that are of concern
- Any regression or loss of previously acquired skills
- Special healthcare needs or concerns, especially if the baby was born prematurely
These milestones are important indicators of your baby’s development and should be monitored and discussed with a healthcare professional for optimal care and guidance.
Typical Milestones for Children at This Age:
Social/Emotional Development:
- Engages in interactive games with you, such as pat-a-cake
Language/Communication Development:
- Gestures “bye-bye” with hand
- Refers to a parent with terms like “mama” or “dada,” or another special name
- Shows understanding of the word “no” by pausing or stopping actions in response
Cognitive Development (Learning, Thinking, Problem-Solving):
- Places objects into containers, for example, a block into a cup
- Searches for items you’ve hidden, such as finding a toy under a blanket
Movement/Physical Development:
- Pulls themselves up to a standing position
- Walks while holding onto furniture for support
- Drinks from a cup without a lid with your assistance
- Picks up small items using thumb and pointer finger, like small pieces of food
Important Topics to Discuss with Your Pediatrician:
- Activities and interactions you share with your child
- Your child’s favorite activities
- Any concerns about your child’s actions or inactions
- Regression or loss of previously acquired skills
- Special healthcare needs, including considerations for premature birth
These developmental milestones are key indicators of your child’s growth and should be discussed with healthcare professionals to ensure their well-being and progress.
Typical Behaviors for Babies at This Age:
Social/Emotional Development:
- Imitates peers during play, such as taking toys out of a container when another child does
- Shows interest in objects by showing them to you
- Claps hands in excitement
- Embraces a stuffed doll or other toys affectionately
- Expresses affection through hugging, cuddling, or kissing
Language/Communication Development:
- Attempts to speak words other than “mama” or “dada,” like saying “ba” for ball or “da” for dog
- Recognizes and looks at familiar objects when named
- Understands and follows simple instructions combined with gestures, such as giving a toy when asked with a hand gesture and verbal request
- Uses pointing as a way to request something or seek assistance
Cognitive Development (Learning, Thinking, Problem-Solving):
- Attempts to use objects correctly, like pretending to talk on a phone, drinking from a cup, or browsing a book
- Can stack at least two small items, like blocks
Movement/Physical Development:
- Walks a few steps independently
- Self-feeds using fingers for some foods
Important Topics to Discuss with Your Pediatrician:
- Shared activities between you and your baby
- Your baby’s preferred activities
- Any concerns regarding your baby’s development or behaviors
- Loss of skills previously mastered
- Special healthcare needs or considerations for premature birth
These milestones offer important insights into your baby’s development and should be monitored and discussed with healthcare professionals for optimal growth and care.
Typical Activities for Babies at This Age:
Social/Emotional Development:
- Explores independently while ensuring you’re within sight
- Points to objects of interest
- Offers hands for washing
- Engages in looking at a few book pages with assistance
- Assists in dressing by coordinating limbs
Language/Communication Development:
- Attempts to speak at least three words other than “mama” or “dada”
- Comprehends and follows one-step verbal instructions, such as handing over a toy when asked
Cognitive Development (Learning, Thinking, Problem-Solving):
- Imitates household tasks, like pretending to sweep
- Engages in basic play with toys, such as pushing a toy vehicle
Movement/Physical Development:
- Walks unaided
- Engages in scribbling activities
- Drinks from an open cup, occasionally spilling
- Eats using fingers
- Experiments with using a spoon
- Climbs onto and off furniture independently
Essential Points to Discuss with Your Pediatrician:
- Activities and interactions you share with your child
- Your child’s preferred activities and interests
- Any developmental concerns or unusual behaviors
- Regression in previously acquired skills
- Special healthcare requirements, including considerations for premature birth
These milestones provide a framework for understanding your child’s developmental progress and are crucial for discussions with healthcare professionals.
Typical Developmental Milestones for Children at This Age:
Social/Emotional Development:
- Shows empathy, as seen in pausing or appearing sad when others are crying
- Looks to adults’ faces for cues on how to respond in new situations
Language/Communication Development:
- Identifies objects in a book when asked, like pointing to a bear when you say, “Where is the bear?”
- Uses two-word phrases, such as “More milk.”
- Points to body parts when asked
- Uses a variety of gestures beyond waving and pointing, like blowing kisses or nodding in agreement
Cognitive Development (Learning, Thinking, Problem-Solving):
- Uses one hand to hold an object while manipulating it with the other, like opening a container
- Attempts to operate switches, knobs, or buttons on toys
- Engages in more complex play, like placing toy food on a toy plate
Movement/Physical Development:
- Kicks a ball
- Runs
- Walks up stairs with or without assistance
- Eats using a spoon
Important Topics to Discuss with Your Pediatrician:
- Shared activities and experiences with your child
- Your child’s favorite activities
- Any concerns about your child’s behavior or development
- Any loss of previously acquired skills
- Special healthcare needs, particularly if your child was born prematurely
Monitoring these milestones can help in understanding and supporting your child’s development, and discussing them with a healthcare provider is crucial for their wellbeing.
Typical Milestones for Babies at This Age:
Social/Emotional Development:
- Engages in parallel play near other children and occasionally interacts with them
- Demonstrates pride in abilities, often exclaiming, “Look at me!”
- Complies with basic routines, such as tidying up toys when prompted
Language/Communication Development:
- Uses approximately 50 words
- Constructs short phrases including an action word, like “Doggie run”
- Identifies objects in a book when asked
- Begins using personal pronouns such as “I,” “me,” or “we”
Cognitive Development (Learning, Thinking, Problem-Solving):
- Engages in pretend play, like pretending a block is food for a doll
- Displays simple problem-solving abilities, for example, standing on a stool to reach something
- Understands and follows two-step directions
- Recognizes at least one color, like identifying a red crayon when asked
Movement/Physical Development:
- Manipulates objects with hands, such as turning doorknobs or opening lids
- Removes some articles of clothing independently
- Jumps with both feet off the ground
- Turns pages of a book one by one
Important Aspects to Discuss with Your Pediatrician:
- Activities you enjoy together with your child
- Your child’s favorite pastimes
- Any concerns regarding your child’s behavior or development
- Any regression in skills your child once had
- Special healthcare needs, including issues related to premature birth
Observing these milestones can provide valuable insights into your child’s development, and discussing them with a healthcare provider is essential for their well-being.
Typical Behaviors for Children at This Age:
Social/Emotional Development:
- Becomes calm within 10 minutes after separation, such as at a childcare drop-off
- Engages with other children in play
Language/Communication Development:
- Participates in conversations with at least two exchanges of dialogue
- Asks questions like “Who,” “What,” “Where,” or “Why,” for instance, “Where is mommy/daddy?”
- Describes actions in pictures or books when asked, such as “running,” “eating,” or “playing”
- States their first name upon request
- Speaks clearly enough to be understood by others most of the time
Cognitive Development (Learning, Thinking, Problem-Solving):
- Imitates drawing a circle when shown
- Understands and avoids touching hot objects like a stove after being warned
Movement/Physical Development:
- Threads items together, such as large beads or pieces of macaroni
- Puts on some items of clothing independently, like loose pants or a jacket
- Uses a fork
Important Points to Discuss with Your Pediatrician:
- Activities you enjoy with your child
- Your child’s preferred activities
- Any developmental concerns or unusual behaviors
- Regression in previously acquired skills
- Special healthcare needs or issues related to premature birth
These developmental milestones provide important information about your child’s growth and should be monitored and discussed with a healthcare provider.
Typical Milestones for Children at This Age:
Social/Emotional Development:
- Engages in imaginative play, taking on roles like a teacher, superhero, or a dog
- Expresses desire to play with peers, asking to join others like, “Can I play with Alex?”
- Shows empathy by comforting others, such as hugging a friend who is upset
- Exhibits awareness of safety, avoiding risky behaviors like jumping from high places
- Enjoys helping out and taking on small responsibilities
- Modifies behavior according to the setting, like being quieter in a library or more active at a playground
Language/Communication Development:
- Constructs sentences with four or more words
- Recites words from songs, stories, or nursery rhymes
- Shares experiences from the day, for example, “I played soccer.”
- Responds to simple questions, such as the use of everyday objects
Cognitive Development (Learning, Thinking, Problem-Solving):
- Identifies several colors
- Predicts the next part of a familiar story
- Draws a person with at least three body parts
Movement/Physical Development:
- Catches a large ball with consistency
- Helps in serving food or pouring water under adult supervision
- Manages to unbutton some clothing items
- Holds a crayon or pencil using fingers and thumb, rather than a fist grip
Important Topics to Discuss with Your Pediatrician:
- Activities you enjoy together with your child
- Your child’s favorite pastimes and interests
- Any developmental concerns or behaviors that may worry you
- Loss of any previously acquired skills
- Special healthcare needs, including considerations for premature birth
These developmental milestones are key indicators of a child’s growth and should be shared with and monitored by healthcare professionals.
Typical Behaviors for Children at This Age:
Social/Emotional Development:
- Adheres to rules and takes turns during play with peers
- Enjoys performing activities like singing, dancing, or acting
- Helps with simple household tasks, such as sorting socks or helping to clear the table
Language/Communication Development:
- Narrates stories, real or imaginative, involving at least two events
- Answers basic questions about a story after hearing or reading it
- Maintains a conversation with several rounds of back-and-forth dialogue
- Understands and uses simple rhyming words
Cognitive Development (Learning, Thinking, Problem-Solving):
- Counts up to 10
- Identifies some numbers between 1 and 5 upon seeing them
- Uses time-related words like “yesterday,” “tomorrow,” “morning,” or “night”
- Focuses attention for 5 to 10 minutes on activities such as storytelling or crafts (excluding screen time)
- Writes a few letters from their name
- Recognizes some letters when pointed out
Movement/Physical Development:
- Manages to button some buttons
- Hops on one foot
Important Topics to Discuss with Your Pediatrician:
- Activities you and your child enjoy together
- Your child’s favorite activities
- Any concerns about your child’s behavior or development
- Any regression in previously mastered skills
- Special healthcare needs, especially if the child was born prematurely
These milestones are important indicators of a child’s development and can be useful to discuss with healthcare professionals for tracking their growth and well-being.
What does the CDC say about Autism?
The CDC works 24/7 to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. Click the boxes below to learn what the CDC says about ASD.
Identifying Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be challenging as it lacks a definitive medical test, such as a blood test, for diagnosis. Instead, physicians assess the child’s developmental and behavioral patterns to determine the presence of ASD.
ASD can potentially be identified as early as 18 months. By the age of 2, a diagnosis made by a skilled professional is generally regarded as highly dependable. Yet, a definitive diagnosis often comes much later for many children. This postponement in diagnosis can result in a delay in receiving early intervention, which is crucial for children with ASD.
At present, there is no known cure for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, studies indicate that early intervention treatments can significantly enhance a child’s developmental progress. These early intervention services are aimed at children from birth to 3 years of age (36 months), focusing on developing vital skills. They may encompass therapies to assist the child in developing speech, mobility, and social interaction capabilities. Consequently, if you suspect your child might have ASD or any developmental issues, it is crucial to consult with your child’s healthcare provider promptly.
Children who have not been formally diagnosed with ASD might still be eligible for early intervention treatments. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), children younger than 3 years (36 months) who are potentially at risk of developmental delays can qualify for these services. These are available through an early intervention system in each state, where you can request an evaluation for your child.
Furthermore, specific symptom treatments, like speech therapy for language delays, often do not require a formal ASD diagnosis before beginning.
The full range of causes for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) remains unknown, but it is believed to arise from multiple sources, leading to various types of ASD. A combination of factors, including environmental, biological, and genetic influences, may increase a child’s likelihood of developing ASD.
It is widely accepted among experts that genetics play a key role as a risk factor in the development of ASD. The risk is higher for children who have a sibling diagnosed with ASD. Additionally, individuals with specific genetic or chromosomal disorders, like fragile X syndrome or tuberous sclerosis, are more prone to developing ASD.
Certain medications prescribed during pregnancy, namely valproic acid and thalidomide, have been associated with a heightened risk of ASD. Research suggests that the critical window for the development of ASD is around the time before, during, and immediately after birth. Furthermore, children of older parents face an increased risk of ASD.
ASD remains a critical issue in public health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with families impacted by ASD, are dedicated to uncovering the causes of this disorder. Gaining a deeper understanding of what predisposes an individual to ASD is crucial. To this end, the CDC is conducting one of the most extensive studies in the U.S., named the Study to Explore Early Development (SEED). This study investigates various potential risk factors for ASD, encompassing genetic, environmental, pregnancy-related, and behavioral factors.
ASD affects individuals across all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. However, it is observed to be approximately four times more prevalent in boys than in girls.
For more than ten years, the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network has been tracking the prevalence of ASD among children in the United States. This monitoring has provided substantial insights into the number of U.S. children affected by ASD. Continuously employing these tracking methods over time is vital to understand the evolving trends and learn more about the nature of the disorder.