Child Development Milestones: Birth to 2 Years
Your child’s provider will ask about their growing personality.How they play and interact with others shows how they’re developing. From birth to 5 years old, your child should reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move. Read up on some of the milestones to look for with our helpful list. Check them off as your child reaches a milestone. Then you can share your lists with their provider.
Don’t forget that this list is a guide and not set in stone. Every child learns and grows at a different pace. If you are ever concerned about your child’s development, don’t wait. Talk to your child’s provider.
Milestones by Month
Reading and Development
Bonding With Your Baby
It’s a myth that you can hold or talk to your baby too much. Bonding with your baby is an important part of development. It’s also a key part of adjusting to each other’s needs. For some this can come naturally. For others it might take a bit longer. Remember, the most important thing you can give your child is love. Take the time to dedicate one on one time and enjoy them. Some things to try:
- Skin to skin time.
- Make eye contact during feeding.
- Spend extra time rocking them to sleep.
- Read aloud to them.
- Talk to them about anything and everything.
- Respond to their needs and comfort them.
- Silly play.
- Cuddle time.
Tracking Your Child's Development
2 Month Checklist
- Make sounds other than crying. View video.
- Brings hands together.
- Looks when you call their name.
- Watches you as you move.
- Holds their head up when on tummy.
Tummy Time Tips
Tummy time is when you place your baby on their belly while awake. It helps strengthen your baby’s neck and shoulder muscles, prevents flat spots on their head, and improves their motor skills. Between 2 and 3 months start with short, 5-minute sessions a couple of times a day.
As they get stronger, you will see them go from just raising their head to pushing up onto their arms. Try to have tummy time when the child is calm and awake like right after a diaper change or nap. Do not have tummy time right after they eat.
4 Month Checklist
- Likes to play with people and might cry when playing stops.
- Babbles with expression and copies sounds heard.
- Seems interested in their hands. View video.
- Can hold a toy and shake it and swing at dangling toys.
- Moves and makes sounds for your attention. View video.
Encourage their voice by giving them attention and talking back. Give your baby something to do with their hands. Toys and play mats with things to reach for are great ways to encourage hand-eye coordination.
6 Month Checklist
- Rolls over.
- Looks at you when you call their name.
- Picks up food and puts it in their mouth.
- Focuses on nearby objects.
- Responds to loud sounds.
Reading and Development
Reading helps your child learn. In fact, kids whose parents talk and read to them know more words by age 2 than kids whose parents didn’t. Your child will also start to hear different sounds and emotions, which can help them learn thinking and social skills. Plus, story time teaches them that reading is fun!
Check out these story time tips:
- Find a favorite. Babies learn from repetition. So don’t be afraid to read a book over and over again.
- Choose sturdy books. Your baby will try to grab, hold and chew on books. Pick books made of vinyl, cloth or cardboard. As they grow, they’ll start to help you turn the pages.
- Read a book you enjoy. A 6-month-old baby doesn’t fully understand words. It’s okay to take a break from children’s books and read from the newspaper, a magazine, or a book you’ve been wanting to read yourself. The more sounds your baby hears, the easier they’ll learn.
- Make story time social. Many local libraries host child-friendly story time with books you can check out. Take advantage and connect with other parents.
9 Month Checklist
- Reacts when you leave the room.
- May be shy around unfamiliar people, clingy to you.
- Copies sounds and gestures of others.
- Looks for things when dropped out of sight. View video.
- Sits without support.
Babies learn by interacting with others. Games like peek-a-boo and sharing toys encourage them to play with you.
12 Month Checklist
- Pulls themselves up to stand.
- Plays games like "peak-a-boo" or "pat-a-cake."
- Copies sounds that you make.
- Says "mama" or "dada."
- Picks up small items with thumb and pointer finger. View video.
If you haven’t already, time to baby proof for a walker. Give your child safe spaces to explore. Point and tell them what objects are to foster more words. If they try and repeat the word back give them encouragement! If they say “ba” for ball, say “Yes! Ball.”
Lead Screening
Your child’s provider will have your child tested for lead exposure between the ages of 1 and 2. Little kids can get really sick from lead, which can hurt the way they learn and act. Old paint and bad water are the biggest sources of lead. This is more common in older homes. If you’re worried about lead, contact your water company. They can help to have your water checked. You can test your paint with a lead test kit from your local hardware store. Contact your state or local health department for programs for lead paint testing at low or no cost.
15 Month Checklist
- Walks several steps on their own.
- Shows you things.
- Shows you affection.
- Looks for familiar object when you call it by name. View video.
- Tries to use things the right way. Like a phone, cup, or book.
Continue to encourage your child’s attempts at words! Get your child involved with everyday activities. Things like getting their shoes to go outside. Getting their own cup when thirsty. Or going to get the toy or book they want to play with. Having them start to do simple tasks on their own will help build independence.
18 Month Checklist
- Runs.
- Can kick a ball.
- Points to show you something.
- Follows one step directions like “give it to me” without gestures. View video.
- Uses words to ask for help.
- Jumps off the ground with 2 feet.
Your child is getting bigger every day. They are growing physically and emotionally. Encourage understanding of feelings. This will help them as they start to be in more social settings. You can do this by pointing them out as they happen. For example:
- When another child is laughing you can say– “he’s laughing he’s so is happy”
- Or when they see crying you can say – “They are sad. Sometimes you cry when you’re sad.”
Developmental Screening
These tests make sure your child is on track with language, movement, and social skills. At ages 18-24 months your provider will also screen for autism spectrum disorder. If you have concerns at any time about your child’s development, don’t wait. Tell your child’s provider. They will take steps to see if your child may need extra services to help them learn and grow.
Call your child’s health plan member services number for help finding resources near you.
24 Month Checklist
- Names at least one color.
- Uses words like "me" or "mine."
- Says their first name when asked.
- Notices when others are upset.
- Puts two words together, like “more milk.”
- Eats with a spoon.
Two years old! Praise will go a long way. Tell your child when they have done something you like. Simple things like “what a good helper” or “good job picking up.” This helps you focus on positive behavior instead of only addressing the bad. This is also the age when they start to learn sharing and taking turns. Encourage these skills whenever you get the chance.
Activities For Learning
- Play pretend with stuffed animals or dress up.
- Ask about the things around them. This will help encourage language and labeling.
- Play games or toys where you can promote sharing and taking turns.
- Give choices. Like what pajamas to wear to bed.
- Create routines that have ways they can help. Like picking out the bedtime book.
- Visit your local library. Check out new books or activity sets. Join a story time or other activities for their age group.
- Try more than one playground so they can test their skills and explore.
- Limit screentime. Children learn through play and interacting with others.
- Pass and kick a ball together. This helps with sharing and coordination.
- Give art projects a try. Use whatever you have and let them choose what to use.