Alternative names
Growth milestones for children; Normal childhood growth milestones; Developmental milestones record

Information

Infant - birth to 1 year

 
• Displays social smile  
• Rolls over by self  
• Able to sit alone, without support  
• Babbling  
• Plays peek-a-boo  
• Eruption of 1st tooth  
• Pulls self to standing position  
• Walks while holding on to furniture or other support  
• Says mama and dada, using terms appropriately  
• Able to drink from a cup  
• Understands “NO” and will stop activity in response  
• Walks without support

Toddler - 1 to 3 years

 
• Masters walking  
• Recognizes gender differences  
• Uses up to 8 words and understands simple commands  
• Able to run, pivot, and walk backwards  
• Uses spoon to feed self  
• Can name pictures of common objects and point to body parts  
• Able to walk up and down stairs  
• Imitates speech of others, “echoing” word back  
• Begins pedaling tricycle  
• Learns to take turns (if directed) while playing with other children  
• Able to feed self neatly, with minimal spilling  
• Able to state first and last name  
• Recognizes and labels colors appropriately  
• Able to draw a line (when shown one)  
• Dresses self with only minimal help  
• Learns to share toys (without adult direction)

Preschooler - 3 to 6 years

 
• Rides tricycle well  
• Able to draw a circle  
• Able to draw stick figures with 2 to 3 features for people  
• Hops on one foot  
• Catches a bounced ball  
• Understands size concepts  
• Enjoys rhymes and word play  
• Able to skip  
• Enjoys doing most things independently, without help  
• Balances better, may begin to ride a bicycle  
• Understands time concepts  
• Begins to recognize written words - reading skills start  
• Starts school

School-age child - 6 to 12 years

 
• Understands and able to follow sequential directions  
• Beginning skills for team sports (soccer, T-ball, etc.)  
• Begins to lose “baby” teeth and erupt permanent teeth  
• Routines important for daytime activities  
• Reading skills develop further  
• Peer recognition begins to become important  
• Girls begin to show growth of armpit and pubic hair, breast development  
• Menarche (1st menstrual period) may occur in girls

Adolescent - 12 to 18 years

 
• Boys show growth of armpit, chest, and pubic hair; voice changes; and testicular/penile enlargement  
• Girls show growth of armpit and pubic hair; breast development; menstrual periods  
• Adult height, weight, sexual maturity  
• Understands abstract concepts  
• Peer acceptance and recognition is of vital importance

Medical Encyclopedia

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