Developmental Milestones

Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “bye bye” are called developmental milestones. Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move (crawling, walking, etc.). Milestones that mark a child’s growth include:

  • Social & Emotional: the ability to manage one’s emotions and to relate to others

  • Language & Communication: the ability to use and understand language

  • Cognitive: the ability to learn, think, and problem solve

  • Movement & Physical Development: the ability to use large and small muscles for movement, balance, reaching and grasping. 

Milestone in Action
Indicadores en acción

Understanding your child’s development.

From birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move. These milestones are important clues about their development and change for each age range. Monitor your child’s development and act early if you have a concern. Track your child’s development with:

Other Child Development Resources: