10-12 months

• Claps hands

• Purposeful release of objects

• Able to hold/self-feed with bottle in upright position

• Walks with one handheld assist

• Pulls to stand and cruises

• Stands without support

• Takes multiple steps independently

• Moves in and out of different positions to explore

• Crawls towards desired toy

• Self feeds with fingers

• Able to drink from open cup

• Starting to explore using utensils

• Increased variety of smells and tastes that are preferred

• Enjoys games like pat-a-cake, peek-a-boo

• Uses “mama” and “dada” meaningfully

• Turns to sounds

• Points to objects of interest

• Responds to simple command ("come here")

• Uses gestures (waving, reaching out with arms)

• Uses one- two simple words

• Responds to “no”

• Turns head to name

13-18 months

• Pointing with index finger

• Able to put objects into containers

• Able to kick a ball

• Walks independently with minimal falls

• Stacks two blocks

• Able to squat to pick up a toy or object

• Helps with dressing

• Sleep schedule is regular

• Uses 5-10 words

• Puts gestures and sounds together

• Follows simple directions regularly

• Interest in pictures

• Able to identify 1-2 body parts if named

• Understand 50 words

• Points to familiar objects and people in pictures

• Responds to yes/no questions with head shake

• Holds and drinks from an open cup

• Increased variety of foods eaten

• Increased variety of food textures eaten

• Able to eat coarsely chopped foods

19-24 months

• Self feeds with spoon

• Completes simple shape sorter toy

• Walks and runs well

• Explores variety of environments

• Enjoys swinging and movement play

• Minimal mouthing of toys

• Can participate in small group with peers

• Enjoys playing with new toys

• Likes to sit and listen or look at a book

• Maintains balance to throw and catch ball

• Minimal loss of food during chewing and swallowing

• Scoops with spoon, Stabs with fork, (not efficient until after 24 months)

• Eats a wide variety of foods

• Uses at least 50 words

• Identifies 3-5 body parts

• Imitates new words regularly

• Uses simple pronouns

• Begins to use two word phrases and questions ("where dog?" "go bed")

• Follows 2-step direction for familiar task (“Pick up book and bring it to me”)

2-3 years old

• Snips with scissors

• Able to imitate lines or circles

• Balance on one foot for 5-10 seconds

• Catch a medium ball

• Walks with heel toe pattern, does not toe walk

• Coordinates hands and fingers

• Appropriate strength and endurance to play with peers

• Able to use hands together for play (swinging a bat, opening a container)

• By 3 able to snip with scissors, while moving forward across paper

• Enjoys bath time

• Tolerates diaper changes without crying

• Tolerates schedule/routine changes

• Able to self soothe when upset

• Acknowledges and responds to injury/pain

• Able to maintain eye contact with others and demonstrate interest and awareness during interactions

• Has a word for almost everything

• Talks and requests with 2-3 word phrases

• Uses plurals

• Uses “in” and “on”

• Understands “yours” and “mine”

• Understands “why” questions

• Most speech is understood by family and friends (36 months)

• Able to eat the same foods as their family (by 36 months)

• Self feeds with utensils well

• Able to wipe face/mouth during mealtime

• Tolerates mealtime at table with family/peers for appropriate duration

4-6 years old

• Answers who? what? why? where? questions

• Able to talk about activities from their day

• Uses 4+ word sentences

• Enjoys a variety of age appropriate toys

• Able to locate items that are pointed at

• Doesn’t put non food items in mouth

• Demonstrates safety awareness

• Uses appropriate force during play with pets and peers and when using and holding objects

• Maintains balance on uneven surfaces

• Able to maintain attention and play with one toy or theme for 15 minutes

• Able to cut paper in half, cut circle within ½” of boundary line, cut square within ¼ of boundary line (5 years)

• Able to imitate/draw cross, square (4 years), diagonal lines, and triangle (5 years)

* Folio & Fewell (2000). Peabody Developmental Motor Scales

*Parham, D. et al (2007). Sensory Processing Measure

*Pathways.org (2021) Milestones & Abilities