Milestones by Age, 2 Months to 3 Years: What's Typical, When to Check In

Age	Feelings and people	Talking and understanding	Learning and thinking	Moving
By 2 months	Calms when held; looks at your face; smiles back	Makes sounds besides crying; reacts to loud sounds	Watches you as you move	Holds head up on tummy; moves arms and legs
By 4 months	Smiles to get your attention; chuckles	Coos; makes sounds back when you talk	Looks at their hands; opens mouth for breast or bottle	Holds head steady; holds a toy; pushes up on elbows
By 6 months	Knows familiar people; laughs	Takes turns making sounds; blows raspberries; squeals	Puts things in mouth; reaches for toys	Rolls tummy to back; pushes up on straight arms
By 9 months	May be shy or clingy with strangers; reacts when you leave	Babbles "mamama", "bababa"; lifts arms to be picked up	Looks for a dropped toy; bangs two things together	Sits without support; moves things hand to hand
By 12 months	Plays pat-a-cake; waves bye-bye	Calls a parent "mama" or "dada"; understands "no"	Puts things in a container; finds a hidden toy	Pulls to stand; walks holding furniture; thumb-finger pick-up
By 15 months	Copies other children; shows you a favorite toy; claps	Tries one or two words besides "mama"/"dada"; points to ask	Uses things the right way (cup, phone); stacks two objects	Takes a few steps alone; finger-feeds
By 18 months	Moves away but checks you're close; points to show you things	Tries three or more words; follows one-step directions	Copies you doing chores; pushes a toy car	Walks alone; scribbles; climbs on and off a couch
By 2 years	Notices when others are upset; looks to you in new situations	Puts two words together; points to body parts and pictures	Plays with more than one toy at a time	Kicks a ball; runs; walks up a few stairs; uses a spoon
By 30 months	Plays beside and with other children; "Look at me!"	About 50 words; two-word phrases with an action word; follows two steps	Pretend play; simple problem solving; knows one color	Jumps with both feet; twists lids; takes off some clothes
By 3 years	Settles within about 10 minutes after you leave; joins others to play	Back-and-forth conversation; "why" questions; mostly understood by others	Draws a circle when shown; avoids hot things when warned	Strings beads; puts on some clothes; uses a fork

Things most children (about 3 in 4) do by each age, from CDC's 2022 checklists. Children vary. Talk to the doctor if your child misses milestones or loses a skill they had.

How to read this

Each age lists things most children (about 3 in 4) can do by then. Children get there at their own pace, and being a little behind on one item is common. The lists are a way to notice and to talk with your child's doctor, not a test. If your baby was born early, use the age from their due date until about age 2.

By 2 months

• Calms when spoken to or picked up; looks at your face; smiles when you talk or smile.
• Makes sounds other than crying; reacts to loud sounds.
• Holds head up during tummy time; moves both arms and both legs; opens hands briefly.

By 4 months

• Smiles on their own to get your attention; chuckles when you try to make them laugh.
• Coos ("oooo", "aahh") and makes sounds back when you talk; turns toward your voice.
• Holds head steady when held; holds a toy put in their hand; brings hands to mouth; pushes up on elbows during tummy time.

By 6 months

• Knows familiar people; laughs; likes looking at themself in a mirror.
• Takes turns making sounds with you; blows raspberries; squeals.
• Reaches to grab a toy; rolls from tummy to back; pushes up on straight arms; leans on hands when sitting.

By 9 months

• May be shy, clingy or fearful with strangers; reacts when you leave; looks when you call their name.
• Babbles strings like "mamamama" and "babababa"; lifts arms to be picked up.
• Looks for a toy dropped out of sight; bangs two things together; sits without support and gets into sitting on their own.

By 12 months

• Plays games like pat-a-cake; waves bye-bye; understands "no".
• Calls a parent "mama", "dada" or another special name.
• Pulls up to stand; walks holding on to furniture; picks up small things between thumb and pointer finger.

By 15 months

• Copies other children; shows you a toy they like; claps when excited; shows affection.
• Tries to say one or two words besides "mama" or "dada"; points to ask for something.
• Takes a few steps alone; stacks two small objects; feeds themself with fingers.

By 18 months

• Moves away from you but checks that you're close; points to show you something interesting.
• Tries to say three or more words besides "mama" or "dada"; follows one-step directions without gestures ("Give it to me").
• Walks without holding on; scribbles; climbs on and off a couch; tries to use a spoon.

By 2 years

• Notices when others are hurt or upset; looks at your face to see how to react to something new.
• Says at least two words together ("more milk"); points to at least two body parts and to pictures in a book when asked.
• Kicks a ball; runs; walks up a few stairs; eats with a spoon.

By 30 months

• Plays next to and sometimes with other children; shows you what they can do ("Look at me!").
• Says about 50 words, and two or more words together with an action word ("doggie run"); uses "I", "me" and "we"; follows two-step instructions.
• Pretends (feeding a block to a doll); jumps with both feet; twists lids and doorknobs.

By 3 years

• Calms down within about 10 minutes after you leave, for example at childcare drop-off; joins other children to play.
• Has back-and-forth conversations; asks "who", "what", "where" or "why"; says their first name; talks well enough for others to understand most of the time.
• Draws a circle when shown how; puts on some clothes; uses a fork.

When to check in

• Tell your child's doctor if your child is missing milestones for their age, or if you're worried, even if the checklist looks fine. You know your child best.
• Talk to the doctor soon if your child loses skills they once had, at any age.
• The AAP recommends developmental screening at the 9, 18 and 30 month checkups, and autism screening at 18 and 24 months. You can ask for one sooner.
• In the US, children under 3 can get a free evaluation from the state's Early Intervention program. You don't need a doctor's referral to call.