| | Social-emotional | Language/communication | Cognitive | Motor |
| 12 months | - Plays games with you (eg, pat-a-cake)
| - Waves "bye-bye"
- Calls a parent "mama" or "dada" or another special name
- Understands "no" (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)
| - Puts something in a container (eg, a block in a cup)
- Looks for things they see you hide (eg, a toy under a blanket)
| - Pulls up to stand
- Walks holding onto furniture
- Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it
- Picks thing up between thumb and pointer finger (eg, small bits of food)
|
| 15 months | - Copies other children while playing (eg, taking toys out of a container when another child does)
- Shows you an object that they like
- Claps when excited
- Hugs stuffed doll or other toy
- Shows you affection (eg, hugs, cuddles, or kisses you)
| - Tries to say 1 or 2 words besides mama or dada (eg, "ba" for ball or "da" for dog)
- Looks at a familiar object when you name it
- Follows directions given with both a gesture and words (eg, gives you a toy when you hold out your hand and say, "Give me the toy")
- Points to ask for something or to get help
| - Tries to use things the right way (eg, phone, cup, book)
- Stacks at least two small objects (eg, blocks)
| - Takes a few steps on their own
- Uses fingers to feed themselves some food
|
| 18 months | - Moves away from you but looks to make sure you are close by
- Points to show you something interesting
- Puts hands out for you to wash them
- Looks at a few pages in a book with you
- Helps you dress them by pushing arm through sleeve or lifting up foot
| - Tries to say ≥3 words besides mama or dada
- Follows 1-step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, "Give it to me"
| - Copies you doing chores (eg, sweeping with a broom)
- Plays with toys in a simple way (eg, pushing a toy car)
| - Walks without holding onto anyone or anything
- Scribbles
- Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes
- Feeds themselves with their fingers
- Tries to use a spoon
- Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help
|
| 24 months | - Notices when others are hurt or upset (eg, pausing or looking sad when someone is crying)
- Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation
| - Points to things in a book when you ask (eg, Where is the bear?")
- Says at least 2 words together (eg, "More milk")
- Points to at least 2 body parts when you ask them to show you
- Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing (eg, blowing a kiss or nodding yes)
| - Holds something in 1 hand while using the other hand (eg, holding a container and taking the lid off)
- Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons on a toy
- Plays with >1 toy at the same time (eg, putting toy food on a toy plate)
| - Kicks a ball
- Runs
- Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help
- Eats with a spoon
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