Developmental Milestones

Every child is unique and develops at his/her own pace. However, there are milestones that every child should reach at the right time and in the right sequence. If you suspect a problem, contact us. While some problems resolve on their own, most problems require intensive intervention by specialists. We are experts in child development, and we can help.

Here is what your child should be able to do physically:

At 0-3 months:

0 to 3 month old child laying on stomach and laughing while their head is turned

  • Lift and turn his/her head when placed on the stomach

  • When on his/her back, turn head to hear or see something

  • Use purposeful movements, though they are large and jerky

  • Bring hands to mouth

At 3-6 months:

3 to 6 month old child laying on stomach and holding their head upright while looking at their dog

  • Actively move arm (reach and swipe) when sees an object of interest

  • Grasp object voluntarily

  • Play with own hands and feet

  • Watch/play with hands/toys at midline

  • Transfer toys from hand to hand

  • When on stomach, lift head and chest with weight on hands

  • Hold head upright and steady

  • Roll from stomach to back and back to stomach

At 6-9 months:

6 to 9 month old child sitting upright without help

  • Use index finger to poke

  • Hold/play with an object in each hand

  • Transfer objects from hand to hand

  • Pivot on stomach

  • Pull to hands and knees

  • Sit without help and play with toys

At 10-12 months:

10 to 12 month old child standing up while holding on to a door for support

  • Pull to stand and cruises along furniture

  • Stands alone and takes several independent steps

  • Move in and out of various positions to explore environment and get desired toys

  • Maintain balance in sitting when throwing objects

  • Clap hands

  • Release objects into a container with a large opening

  • Use thumb and pointer finger to pick up tiny objects

At 12-18 months:

12 to 18 month old child holding herself up for support while going into a standing position

  • Walk alone

  • Begin to walk sideways and backward

  • Come to standing without support

  • Crawl up and down stairs

  • Pick up small objects

  • Stack one object on top of another

  • Put objects in and dump them out of containers

  • Pull apart objects

At 2-3 years:

  • Walk well, run, stop, step up, squat down, walk on tiptoes

  • Walk up the stairs with an alternating foot pattern with one hand on rail

  • Walk down the stairs with a same-step foot placement

  • Jump two inches off ground or over a 2-inch hurdle

  • Jump down from a 4-inch step

  • Stand on one leg for 1-3 seconds

  • Kick a ball 3-6 feet

  • Throw a ball underhand

  • Begin learning to catch a ball from a short distance

  • Stack more than one object (blocks)

  • String large beads

  • Imitate drawing horizontal lines or circular scribble

At 3-4 years:

3 to 4 year old child riding a tricycle

  • Can run around obstacles

  • Can stand on one foot for 3-5 seconds

  • Stand on tiptoes for 3-5 seconds

  • Can walk in a line without stepping off

  • Can hop on one foot

  • Ride a tricycle

  • Can jump forward, down, and over objects with feet together

  • Catches a medium-sized ball

  • Throw a ball overhand and underhand

  • Can build a tower of 9 small cubes

  • Copy drawing of a circle

  • Imitate drawing a cross

  • Cut paper in half

At 4-6 years:

 

4 children around 4 to 6 years old jumping and playing with a ball
 
 

  • Can stand on one foot for 10 seconds

  • Stand on tiptoes for 8 seconds without moving feet

  • Hop forward on one foot for 5 hops

  • Walk on a line backward

  • Can complete a forward roll/somersault

  • Gallop and skip forward

  • Walk up and down stairs, alternating steps, without support from the wall/rail

  • Catch a tennis ball

  • Print some letters

  • Skip, maintaining balance and rhythm

  • Hop forward 20 feet without losing balance

  • Walk on a balance beam

  • Jump over hurdles 10 inches high with a two-footed take-off and landing

  • Jump sideways back and forth

  • Cut out simple shapes

  • Copy triangle and print his/her name

  • Has a mature grasp of a pencil

  • Handedness is well established