Developmental milestones are physical or behavioral signs of development of infants and children. Rolling over, crawling, walking and talking are not only moments parents wait for, but are also considered developmental milestones and provide important information regarding your child’s early development.
Milestones are different for each age. It’s also important to remember that children develop at their own pace, so don’t be alarmed if your child takes a slightly different course. Some children skip over milestones, while others take more time. Your doctor can help determine if your child is experiencing delays and how to address them. Woman’s Center for Wellness Pediatric Therapy is here to help, too!
Toddlerhood: 18 months to 3 years old
Toddlerhood is an exciting time, as your child is transitioning from infancy to preschool years. Here are some general developmental milestones that children this age are expected to attain during this time:
18 Months-2 years
- Walks independently
- May run
- May walk up steps with assistance
- May undress him or herself
- Uses a cup and spoon
- May jump in place
- Stacks 3-4 blocks
- Understands “no”
- Uses 20-50 words
- Combines two words such as “go night-night”
- Makes the “sounds” of familiar animals
- Gives a toy when asked
- Uses words such as “more” to make wants known
- Points to 3 or more body parts
- Brings object from another room when asked
- Points to common pictures in books upon command
- May demonstrate increased temper tantrums
- May have increased separation anxiety
- Demonstrates pretend play (feeding a doll or stuffed animal)
- Demonstrates increased desire for independence
- Understands the concept of “mine”
2 years to 3 years
- Walks up and down stairs while holding a hand or rail
- Runs without falling
- Kicks a ball
- Throws a ball overhand
- Stands on tiptoe
- Has a word for almost everything.
- Talks about things that are not in the room.
- Uses prepositions, such as in, on, and under.
- Uses two- or three- words to talk about and ask for things.
- Is understood by familiar people
- Asks “Why?”
- Puts 3 words together to talk about things. May repeat some words and sounds.
- Yes/no questions emerging
- Understands over 500 words by age 3
- Has a vocabulary of 50-200 words
- Follows two-step directions (Ex: Pick up your cup and put it on the table)
- Can become defiant
- Engages in social dialogue
- Can express emotion
- Enjoys interactions with other children
- Engages in pretend play with other children
- Shows more and more independence
Preschoolers: 3 to 5 years old
The Preschool Years are the time that children begin to assert their independence and make choices. Here are some general developmental milestones that children this age are expected to attain during this time:
3 – 4 years
- Climbs up and down well
- Easily runs
- Walks up and down stairs, one foot on each step
- Pedals a tricycle
- Increasing control of hands and use of fingers
- Buttons and zips clothes
- Kicks/bounces/catches a ball
- Dresses self
- Uses toilet independently
- Paints and draws
- Threads beads
- May have a vocabulary of over 1000 words
- Answers simple “wh” questions.
- Knows his/her name and gender
- Uses pronouns, like I, you, me, we, and they.
- Uses some plural words, like toys, birds, and buses.
- Can be understood by unfamiliar listeners
- Asks when and how questions.
- Puts 4 words together.
- Talks about what happened during the day.
- Carries on a conversation
- Tells how an object is used
- Sings songs
- Knows several nursery times
- Separation anxiety is decreased
- Takes turns when playing games
- Demonstrates empathy
- Mimics adults and friends
- Demonstrates a wide variety of emotions
4 – 5 years
- Catches a bounced ball
- Hops and stands on one foot up to 2 seconds
- Bend over without falling
- Walk forward and backward easily
- Help put on and take off clothing
- Brushes teeth with assistance
- Says all speech sounds in words. May make mistakes on sounds that are harder to say, like l, s, r, v, z, ch, sh, and th.
- Can correctly name at least 3 shapes and colors
- Names letters and numbers.
- Uses sentences that are more complex
- Keeps a conversation going
- Uses “he” and “she” appropriately
- Can say first and last name
- Demonstrates an increased attention span
- Talks about likes and interests
- Enjoys trying new things
- Plays cooperatively with other children
- Prefers to play with other children
- Demonstrates pretend play
- Increased play skills, such as make-believe