Developmental Progress Chart

Every child is different. This chart gives general milestones in a child's development. The information below lets you know what to expect. It will help you record your child's progress.

As you measure the progress, make notes on the chart. These notes will provide a good record of your child's development.

At 1 month, most children...

• Lift head a little when lying on stomach
• Watch objects for a short time
• Make "noise in throat" sounds
• Stay away from annoying sensations such as cloth or blanket on the face

At 2 months, most children...

• Hold their head up (bobbing when supported in sitting position)
• Sometimes copy or respond to a smiling person
• Roll part way to side
• Make sounds of discomfort

At 3 months, most children...

• Lift head and chest when lying on stomach
• Recognize bottle or breast
• Smile when talked to
• Show active body movement
• Follow moving things with their eyes

At 4 months, most children...

• Hold head up for a long time without bobbing
• Laugh out loud
• Roll from front to back
• Like to play
• Grab an object held near their hand
• Make sounds when talked to

At 6 months, most children...

• Sit with little support
• Respond to a friendly voice with a smile or coo
• Roll from back to stomach
• Turn and look at sounds
• Change object from hand to hand and from hand to mouth

At 9 months, most children...

• Sit alone and change position
• Say "mama" and "dada"
• Crawl
• Respond to people they know
• Respond to their name

At 12 months, most children...

• Pull themselves to stand and may step with support
• Can nod their head to signal "yes"
• Give love
• Pick things up with thumb and one finger
• Say two or three words

At 15 months, most children...

• Walk without support
• Do some self-feeding
• Speak and make their voice go up and down
• Drink from a cup held by someone
• Use four or five words

At 18 months, most children...

• Walk (may run a bit)
• Use five to ten words
• Climb up or down one stair
• Pull toys that have wheels
• Mark on paper with crayons
• Understand easy directions

At 2 years, most children...

• Give toys when asked
• Recognize a familiar picture and know if it is upside down
• Kick large ball
• Turn pages in a book (two or three at a time)
• Use two or three words together, such as "more juice"

At 3 years, most children...

• Walk up stairs holding railing
• Unbutton large buttons
• Stand for a moment on one foot
• Talk of toilet needs
• Open doors
• Stack objects by size
• Ask and answer simple questions
• Speak clearly and are understood by family members

At 4 years, most children...

• Can hop in place
• Throw a ball above their head
• Wash hands without help
• Copy a circle
• Begin to play with other children
• Know their own sex, age, last name
• Answer out loud to "Hi" and "How are you?"
• Point to six basic colors when asked

At 5 years, most children...

• Run on tiptoe
• Understand "yesterday" and "tomorrow"
• Print a few capital letters
• Know their name in print
• Use sentences with correct grammar, such as, "May I go to the store?" or "I want a big cookie."
• Play together with others
• Put their shoes on the correct feet

If you have questions about your child's growth and development, call your doctor or public health agency, Child Find, social service agency, or your local public school system.

The above chart is adapted from the Illinois State Board of Education's Child Find materials.