Know your developmental milestones!

Who Is Eligible?

As children grow, they reach developmental milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, move and socialize with others.

Skills such as:

  • Taking a first step.
  • Smiling for the first time.
  • Waving “bye-bye.”

Of course, there are more milestones than just those three. Be sure to get familiar with all of them — listed below.

Important Milestones at 3 Years

  • Shows affection for friends without prompting
  • Takes turns in games
  • Separates easily from mom and dad
  • May get upset with major changes in routine
  • Dresses and undresses self
  • Understands words like “in,” “on,” and “under”
  • Talks well enough for strangers to understand most of the time
  • Plays make-believe with dolls, animals, and people
  • Walks up and downstairs, one foot at a time

Important Milestones at 4 Years

  • Plays “Mom” and “Dad”
  • Would rather play with other children than by him/herself
  • Cooperates with other children
  • Sings a song or says a poem from memory such as the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” or the “Wheels on the Bus”
  • Names some colors and some numbers
  • Uses scissors
  • Starts to copy some capital letters
  • Hops and stands on one foot for up to 2 seconds
  • Catches a ball most of the time

Important Milestones at 5 Years

  • Wants to please friends
  • Likes to sing, dance, and act
  • Shows concern and sympathy for others
  • Speaks clearly
  • Says name and address
  • Counts 10 or more things
  • Can print some numbers and letters
  • Stands on one foot for 10 seconds or longer
  • Hops:  may be able to skip
  • Swings and climbs
  • Can use the toilet on his/her own

Every child is different

Keep in mind, children develop and grow at their own pace, so it can be difficult to tell exactly when a child will learn a given skill. Meeting with your pediatrician will help to keep your child’s development on track, too.

Early Intervention is key

It’s OK to raise concerns about a child’s physical or mental development. If you are concerned that your child may have a disability or needs additional support, click on the Get Connected page to find out what you can do.

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