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.

3 Years

Communication	Can tell you what is happening in the picture of a book, i.e. dog barking Says both first and last name together
Gross Motor	Stands on one foot for about 1 second without holding onto anything Throws a ball overhand Jumps forward at least six inches with both feet leaving the ground at same time
Fine Motor	Tries to cut paper with child-safe scissors Holds a pencil or crayon between fingers and thumb like an adult
Problem Solving	Makes a bridge with blocks and boxes after watching you do so Repeats back three numbers in the same order after you say the three numbers
Personal Social	Puts on coat or shirt by self Says first name, age, and sex Takes turns by waiting while another child or adult takes a turn
Talk to Doctor If	Falls down a lot If you are unable to understand child Doesn’t speak in sentences Doesn’t understand simple instructions Doesn’t play pretend or make-believe Doesn’t want to play with other children or with toys Doesn’t make eye contact 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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