Milestones

Getting to know your child’s milestones is as simple as playing with your child.

Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “hi” are called developmental milestones. As children grow, they reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move. While all children grow and change at their own rate, experts on child development target a window of time when a child may reach each milestone.

To review milestones below, click on the age you want to learn more about.

2 Months

Communication	Makes gurgling sounds & coos Smiles when you talk to them
Gross Motor	Moves arms and legs while on back Holds head up longer than a few seconds when on tummy Moves head side to side while on back
Fine Motor	Loosens fist when you put a toy near their hand Touches face with hands
Problem Solving	Looks at objects that are 8–10 inches away Follows a toy with eyes as it is moved side to side (10 inches away) Follows a toy with eyes as it is moved up and down (10 inches away)
Personal Social	Cries when wet, hungry, tired, or wants to be held Smiles at you after you smile at them
Talk to Doctor If	Doesn’t respond positively to attempts to engage Doesn’t use both hands and both legs equally well Can’t hold up head briefly while on tummy time Doesn’t respond to loud sounds Doesn’t calm self briefly by bringing hands to mouth

Other Ways to Help Your Child’s Development

Talk, Read and Sing with your child to keep them engaged and encourage healthy development. Find fun activities for babies, toddlers and preschoolers here.

Continue to track your child’s milestones from age 2 months to 5 years using our website, or with CDC’s easy-to-use mobile app. Download the app here.

Learn More with a Developmental Screening

To get a more in-depth picture of how your child is developing, we invite you to take a free developmental screening.

Start Screening

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