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.

24 Months

Communication	Can follow three or more simple commands, i.e. close the door Says two or three word sentences, i.e. see dog or mommy come home Uses two or more words like “me”, “I”, “mine”, “you”
Gross Motor	Walks up or down at least two steps by self Runs fairly well and can stop without falling or bumping into things
Fine Motor	Gets a spoon into mouth so food doesn’t spill (excludes runny liquids) Uses turning motion with hand to turn objects like doorknobs and wind-up toys Makes a tower with seven or more blocks
Problem Solving	Pretends objects are something else, i.e. a cup becomes a telephone Lines up four objects in a row after watching you do it
Personal Social	Copies activities you do, i.e. sweep, comb hair or shave Does pretend play, i.e. feeds a stuffed animal and puts it to bed Pushes toy on wheels, steers around objects and backs out of corners if unable to turn
Talk to Doctor If	Doesn’t use two-word phrases, i.e. drink milk You’re unable to understand most of what your child says Doesn’t copy actions or words Doesn’t follow simple instructions Doesn’t walk steadily Loses skills once able to do

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

Making Meaning from a Screening

After you complete the screening, you may have questions. One in six children have developmental concerns that would benefit from follow up. Research has shown that the sooner the developmental services are started, the better the outcome. There are many services that can support a child’s development, including speech therapy, physical therapy, and developmentally appropriate social activities.

Talking with their health care provider about your concerns can help you determine the best next steps. Your child’s daycare or preschool can also be a partner in supporting your child’s development.

At any time in the process, Help Me Grow is here to walk you through the screening results and to answer your questions.

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