Developmental Milestones

Age-by-age milestones for motor, cognitive, language, and social development — with red flags indicating when to refer. Source: CDC & AAP.

2 mo
Newborn period ending. Social smiling emerges. Vision and hearing are active. Begins to recognise familiar faces.
Gross & Fine Motor
  • Holds head up briefly when on tummy (prone)
  • Moves both arms and legs symmetrically
  • Briefly opens and closes hands
  • Follows object with eyes to midline
  • Startles at loud sounds
⚠ Red Flags — Refer if:
  • Cannot hold head up at all in prone position
  • Does not respond to loud sounds
  • Does not watch objects as they move
Language & Communication
  • Makes cooing and gurgling sounds
  • Turns head toward sounds
  • Has different cries for different needs
⚠ Red Flags — Refer if:
  • Makes no sounds (no cooing, no crying variations)
  • Does not react to loud noises
Cognitive
  • Watches faces closely
  • Recognises familiar people at close range
  • Begins to show boredom if activity doesn't change
⚠ Red Flags — Refer if:
  • Does not pay attention to new faces
  • Seems overly frightened by ordinary stimuli
  • Begins to smile at people (social smile)
  • Can briefly calm self (sucks fist, looks away)
  • Tries to look at parent
⚠ Red Flags — Refer if:
  • Does not smile at people by 2 months
  • Cannot be consoled for extended periods
12 mo
Major milestone year. First words emerge. Pincer grasp develops. Walking typically begins between 9–15 months. Separation anxiety peaks.
Gross & Fine Motor
  • Pulls to stand and cruises along furniture
  • May take first independent steps
  • Sits independently without support
  • Pincer grasp — picks up small objects with thumb and index finger
  • Bangs two objects together
  • Points with index finger
⚠ Red Flags — Refer if:
  • Cannot sit without support
  • Does not pull to stand
  • Does not use pincer grasp by 12 months
Language
  • Says "mama" and "dada" with meaning
  • Uses 1–3 words other than mama/dada
  • Understands "no"
  • Responds to simple verbal requests
  • Babbles with changing pitch and rhythm
⚠ Red Flags — Refer if:
  • No babbling by 12 months
  • No pointing or gesturing
  • Does not say any single words
Cognitive
  • Object permanence established — knows objects exist when hidden
  • Imitates actions (clapping, waving)
  • Explores objects by banging, shaking
  • Tries to make desired objects work
⚠ Red Flags — Refer if:
  • Does not search for hidden objects
  • Does not imitate simple actions
  • Stranger and separation anxiety present (normal)
  • Prefers certain people and toys
  • Tests parental responses by repeating actions
  • May show fear in some situations
⚠ Red Flags — Refer if:
  • No social smile by now
  • Does not respond to own name
  • Does not show affection to familiar caregivers
24 mo
Vocabulary explosion — should have 50+ words and begin combining two words. Runs steadily. Parallel play. Key autism screening point.
Motor
  • Runs but may fall when turning
  • Walks up and down stairs holding rail (two feet per step)
  • Kicks a ball
  • Builds tower of 6+ cubes
  • Scribbles with crayons
  • Turns single pages in a book
⚠ Red Flags
  • Cannot run
  • Does not use both hands
Language
  • Vocabulary of 50+ words
  • Combines two words ("more milk", "daddy go")
  • Refers to self by name
  • Points to pictures in a book when named
  • Follows two-step instructions
⚠ Red Flags
  • Fewer than 50 words
  • No two-word combinations by 24 months
  • Regression of language skills at any age
Cognitive
  • Symbolic and pretend play (feeds doll, uses stick as phone)
  • Sorts shapes and colours
  • Follows two-step instructions
  • Completes simple puzzles
⚠ Red Flags
  • No pretend play
  • Does not follow simple instructions
  • Parallel play — plays alongside, not with, other children
  • Increasing independence and some defiance (normal)
  • Shows increased affection to familiar people
  • Begins to show empathy (comforts crying friend)
⚠ Red Flags
  • Does not observe or imitate others
  • No interest in other children
  • Loss of previously acquired social skills
4 mo
Increased social engagement. Head control improving. Hands come together at midline. Laughs and vocalises reciprocally.

Detailed milestone cards for this age are being prepared. For now, refer to CDC Milestone Tracker (4 months) and the AAP developmental guidelines.

6 mo
Sits with support. Passes objects hand to hand. Babbling begins. Recognises familiar faces. Stranger anxiety starts.

Full milestone cards for 6 months coming soon. See CDC 6-month milestones.

9 mo
Sits independently. Crawls. Pincer grasp developing. Separation anxiety peaks. Babbles with consonant sounds (ba-ba, da-da).

Full milestone cards for 9 months coming soon. See CDC 9-month milestones.

18 mo
Walking steadily. 5–20 words. Points to show interest. Scribbles. Increasing independence with tantrums. Key autism screening checkpoint.

Full milestone cards for 18 months coming soon. Red flags: no walking, fewer than 5 words, no pointing. See CDC 18-month milestones.

3 yr
Speaks in sentences of 3+ words. Runs, climbs, rides tricycle. Begins cooperative play. Knows age, name, gender. 75% speech intelligible to strangers.

Full milestone cards for 3 years coming soon. See CDC 3-year milestones.

4 yr
Speaks clearly to strangers. Hops on one foot. Draws person with 3 parts. Tells stories. Cooperative play established. Distinguishes fantasy from reality.

Full milestone cards for 4 years coming soon. See CDC 4-year milestones.

5 yr
Skips, hops on each foot. Draws person with 6+ parts. Counts to 10. Identifies letters. School readiness. Follows rules in games.

Full milestone cards for 5 years coming soon. See CDC 5-year milestones.

Sources: CDC Learn the Signs. Act Early. | American Academy of Pediatrics. Reviewed Sep 2026.

Developmental milestones are ranges, not fixed deadlines. Children develop at their own pace. If you have concerns about a child's development, refer to a paediatrician rather than waiting. Early intervention is always better than watchful waiting.