Developmental Milestones
12 Months to 5 Years
This guide outlines key developmental milestones across several areas for children from 12 months to 5 years of age. It is a general reference, and every child grows at their own pace. If you have concerns about your child’s development, talk with your pediatrician or a developmental specialist.
12 to 18 Months
Cognitive
- Understands and responds to simple requests, such as 'Give me the ball'
- Points to show others something interesting
- Finds hidden objects easily
- Begins to imitate common actions, such as sweeping or talking on the phone
Language
- Says several single words
- Shakes head 'no'
- Points to body parts when asked
- Waves 'bye-bye'
Motor
- Walks independently
- Can drink from a cup
- Can stack two blocks
- Crawls up stairs
Social and Emotional
- Shows affection to familiar people
- Plays simple pretend games, such as feeding a doll
- May have temper tantrums
- Clings to familiar adults in new situations
18 to 24 Months
Cognitive
- Follows two-step commands, such as 'Pick up the toy and put it in the box'
- Begins to sort by shape and color
- Completes simple puzzles
- Engages in more complex pretend play
Language
- Uses two to four word sentences
- Says names of familiar people, objects, and body parts
- Follows simple instructions
- Asks 'what is that?'
Motor
- Runs well
- Kicks a ball
- Climbs on furniture
- Walks up and down stairs holding on
Social and Emotional
- Copies others, especially adults and older children
- Gets excited when with other children
- Shows more and more independence
- Begins to show defiant behavior
2 to 3 Years
Cognitive
- Can work toys with buttons, levers, and moving parts
- Plays make-believe with dolls, animals, and people
- Builds towers of more than six blocks
- Understands the concept of 'two'
Language
- Speaks in sentences of three or more words
- Can say some plurals, such as 'dogs'
- Understands most of what is said to them
- Asks 'who,' 'what,' 'where,' and 'why' questions
Motor
- Climbs well
- Runs easily
- Pedals a tricycle
- Walks up and down stairs without support
Social and Emotional
- Copies adults and friends
- Shows affection for friends without prompting
- Takes turns in games
- Separates easily from parents
3 to 4 Years
Cognitive
- Knows some basic rules of grammar
- Identifies some colors and numbers
- Draws a person with two to four body parts
- Understands the concept of counting
Language
- Speaks clearly enough for strangers to understand most of the time
- Uses sentences of four or more words
- Tells stories
- Tells stories
Motor
- Hops and stands on one foot for up to two seconds
- Catches a bounced ball most of the time
- Pours, cuts with supervision, and mashes own food
- Goes to the bathroom alone
Social and Emotional
- Enjoys doing new things
- Is more creative in make-believe play
- Often cannot tell what is real and what is make-believe
- Plays 'mom' or 'dad'
4 to 5 Years
Cognitive
- Counts ten or more objects
- Draws a person with at least six body parts
- Copies a triangle and other geometric shapes
- Knows about things used every day, like money and food
Language
- Says first and last name
- Speaks in sentences of five or more words
- Can use future tense
- Can explain what they are doing
Motor
- Stands on one foot for ten seconds or longer
- Swings and climbs
- Hops
- Can use scissors
Social and Emotional
- Wants to please friends
- Wants to be like friends
- Is more likely to follow rules
- Likes to sing, dance, and act
When Early Support Matters
The early childhood years are an important time for development. If you notice your child is significantly behind in several areas, or you have concerns about social communication and interaction, an early evaluation can make a meaningful difference.
At Hensley Playbook™, we offer virtual autism evaluations for children as young as 12 months. Our assessments use age-appropriate, trusted tools to help families understand their child’s unique developmental profile and access support as early as possible.
Ready when you are.
When you are ready for a conversation, a free consultation gives you space to share your concerns, ask questions, and understand your options.