Developmental Milestone Checker

Check movement, language, social and thinking milestones for your child's age.

Developmental Milestone Checker

Track your child's developmental progress across key areas

Child's age in months (corrected age if born early)

Quick answer

Milestones are skills most children have by a certain age — CDC's 2022 checklists list what 3 in 4 children can do by each age, from 2 months to 5 years. Missing one milestone is common; losing skills a child once had, or missing several, is a reason to talk to your doctor.

How the checker works

Milestones are grouped by age and by area: movement, language, social and emotional, and thinking and learning. Tick the skills your child does regularly to see which milestones are on track.

The CDC updated its checklists in 2022 so each milestone is something about 75% of children do by that age, which makes a missed milestone a clearer signal to check in with your doctor rather than wait and see.

If your baby was born early, use their corrected age until 2 years.

Key milestones by age

Selected milestones from CDC's 2022 'Learn the Signs. Act Early.' checklists.

Age	Most children can…
2 months	Smile when you talk to them; hold up their head on tummy time
4 months	Hold head steady without support; make cooing sounds
6 months	Roll from tummy to back; laugh; reach for toys
9 months	Sit without support; make sounds like 'mamamama'; look for hidden objects
12 months	Pull up to stand; wave bye-bye; call a parent 'mama' or 'dada'
18 months	Walk without holding on; try to say three or more words
2 years	Kick a ball; say two words together like 'more milk'
3 years	Talk in short back-and-forth conversations; put on loose clothes
4 years	Say sentences of four or more words; name a few colours
5 years	Tell a story with at least two events; count to 10

Frequently asked questions

My child has missed a milestone. Should I worry?

One late milestone is often fine, but CDC suggests talking to your doctor because each milestone is reached by most children by that age. Acting early gives your child the best support.

What is 'losing skills' and why does it matter?

If your child stops doing something they used to do — such as babbling, making eye contact or walking — tell your doctor promptly at any age.

Should I use corrected age for a premature baby?

Yes. Use corrected age (age minus weeks born early) until 2 years old.

Are boys slower to talk than girls?

On average girls talk a little earlier, but the milestones apply to all children. Don't wait if your child is behind.

Talk to your doctor if your child

Loses skills they once had, at any age
Is not smiling at people by 2–4 months or not babbling by 9 months
Is not walking by 18 months or not saying any words by 16–18 months
Doesn't respond to their name by 12 months, or you have any worry about hearing or vision

In an emergency call 112 (India) or 911 (US). This tool gives general information, not medical advice.

Sources

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