Developmental Milestones

Click an age below to see the milestones to watch for during the selected period of life, and find age-appropriate resources to support your child’s development! Remember that development exists along a continuum, so not every child will achieve every milestone at an exact time. Always reach out to your child’s pediatrician should you have any concerns.

Talk, Read, Play: The Foundation of Development

At the Rollins Center, we believe Talk, Read, and Play are essential tools to building a solid developmental foundation with a focus on language and literacy for children birth to 5. But what exactly does that mean? Check out our articles below to see how you can make a difference in your child’s language development. Learn more about these approaches and how they fit into your child’s development!

Developmental Milestone Tracker

Choose an age or select up to 3 age groups to compare expected milestones between them.

18 Months
Language / Communication
  • Tries to say three or more words besides “mama” and “dada”
  • Follows one step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, “Give it to me.”
Social / Emotional
  • Moves away from you, but looks to make sure you are close by
  • Points to show you something interesting
  • Puts hands out for you to wash them
  • Looks at a few pages in a book with you
  • Helps you dress him by pushing arm through sleeves or lifting up foot
Cognitive
  • Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom
  • Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car
Movement / Physical
  • Walks without holding on to anyone or anything
  • Scribbles
  • Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes
  • Feeds herself with her fingers
  • Tries to use a spoon
  • Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help
When to Talk to a Doctor

You know your baby best – don’t wait! If your baby is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early.

If you or your doctor are still concerned:

  • Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your baby more; and
  • Call your state or territory’s early intervention program to find out if your baby can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI

For more on how to help your baby, visit cdc.gov/Concerned

Helpful Resources 18-mo-Milestone-Checklist-2021
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. Program