Developmental Milestones For Children

Watching children grow and reach new abilities is one of the greatest joys of parenting. Developmental milestones are the skills and behaviors that most children learn by a certain age - from smiling and crawling to solving problems and forming friendships. Every child develops at their own pace. At Banner Children’s, we’re here to help you track your child’s growth and answer questions along the way. 

Why milestones matter 

Milestones help you and your child’s doctor: 

• Follow your child’s physical, social and emotional development 
• Identify strengths and areas where extra help may be needed 
• Support early intervention when appropriate 

If you ever have questions about your child’s development, trust your instincts and talk to your pediatrician. 

What to do if your child is not meeting milestones 

You know your child best. If they: 

• Are not developing new skills over time 
• Lose abilities they once had 
• Struggle with movement, communication or social interaction 

Talk with your child’s doctor. They may recommend a developmental screening or connect you with specialists who can help. 

Key areas of development 

Pediatricians look at many areas as your child grows, including: 

• Social and emotional (feeling and relating to others) 
• Speech and language (communicating needs and ideas) 
• Cognitive skills (thinking, learning, problem-solving) 
• Fine motor skills (small muscle movements, like grasping) 
• Gross motor skills (big movements, like sitting and walking) 

Milestones build over time - progress looks different for every child. 

View our infographic for the milestones that should be met during the first five years.  

Milestones by age group 

Here are general milestones many children achieve at each stage: 

Birth to 2 years 

Children often begin to: 

• Smile, babble and respond to familiar voices 
• Point, wave and use simple words or 2-word phrases by age 2 
• Show curiosity and look for objects that are hidden 
• Pull to stand, walk and climb 
• Play alongside other children 

3 to 8 years 

During early childhood, most children: 

• Speak in sentences and tell simple stories 
• Follow directions and understand “same” and “different” 
• Enjoy playing with friends and trying new activities 
• Run, jump, climb, draw shapes and dress with some help 
• Show rapidly changing emotions as independence grows 

9 to 11 years 

As development continues, children often: 

• Focus longer on schoolwork and hobbies 
• Use better problem-solving skills 
• Form stronger friendships and peer connections 
• Understand consequences and show increasing maturity 
• Experience uneven growth spurts 

12 to 18 years 

Adolescence brings big physical, emotional and social changes. Teens may: 

• Think more critically and set goals for the future 
• Show independence and want more privacy 
• Communicate more with friends than parents 
• Need more sleep and food while growing quickly 
• Explore identity and self-confidence 

Supporting your child’s development 

Small steps lead to big progress. You can help your child grow by: 

• Reading together daily 
• Playing, talking and exploring new environments 
• Encouraging problem-solving and social interaction 
• Establishing consistent sleep and routines 

We’re here for every milestone 

Remember - development isn’t a race. Every child grows at their own speed. If you ever have concerns, reach out to your pediatrician. Early support can make a meaningful difference. 

Banner Children’s is honored to support your family through every stage of growth. We’re here to help celebrate the big moments - and guide you through any challenges along the way.