Milestones: Newborns to 3 Years-Old

By 3 Months

1. Opens mouth in response to food (bottle or nipple).
2. Enjoys being held and overall physical contact from parent.
3. Smiles in response.
4. Able to look you in the eye.
5. Coordinates sucking, swallowing and breathing while feeding.
6. Naps most of the day and night.

By 6 months

1. Brings hands to mouth.
2. Begins to chew on toys and teethers.
3. Recognizes bottle or nipple as nourishment.
4. Pats bottle or breast during feeding.
5. Places hands on bottle or breast while feeding.
6. Holds onto bottle.
7. Recognizes parents visually.
8. Demands attention.
9. Socializes with strangers.
10. Vocalizes in response to hearing parents talk.
11. Begins to lift arms to parent.
12. Begins to understand they are separate from parents.

By 9 Months

1. Smiles at self in mirror.
2. Sits without help.
3. Develops stranger anxiety.
4. Bites and chew toys.
5. Able to eat solid food.
6. Show likes and dislikes.
7. Lets only parents meet needs.


By 12 Months

1. Begins to finger feed.
2. Begins to hold spoon.
3. Naps twice a day at most.
4. Only drools while teething.
5. Pulls self up uses tables and chairs.
6. Begins talking.

By 15 Months

1. Begins to show sense of humor.
2. Desires to act independently.
3. Show a preference in toys and objects.
4. May being to refuse food.
5. Bring spoon to food.
6. Holds cup handle.
7. Shows discomfort with dirty diapers.
8. Shows a bladder and bowel pattern.
9. Sleeps full nights.
10. Hugs and kisses.
11. Is messy while feeding or playing.
12. Able to walk.
13. Makes animal sounds.

By 18 Months

1. Scoops food.
2. Removes socks.
3. Removes hat.
4. Puts hat on head.

By 24 Months

1. Removes shoe.
2. Un-does zippers.
3. Holds cup with one hand.
4. Easily frustrated.
5. Show affection.
6. Shows jealousy.
7. Expresses rough play.
8. Expresses "mine" idea.
9. Plays with food.
10. Sits on potty chair.
11. Understands edible objects and non-edible objects.
12. Begins talking three word sentences.

By 30 Months

1. Helps put away toys.
2. Holds spoon.
3. Identifies common dangers (stairs, glass, knives, etc.)
4. Begins to use toilet.
5. Able to pull down pants.
6. Tries to assist with dressing (sticking arms through sleeves)
7. Procrastinates.
8.Plays with dolls in pretend play.
9. Likes to do what parents do (or tries).
10. Holds parents hands while outside.
11. Tries to brush teeth.
12. Gentle with fragile items.
13. Able to follow 2 directions in same sentence.

By 36 Months

1. Pours liquid from one container to the next.
2. Hangs clothing on hook.
3. Able to button large buttons.
4. Uses fork.
5. Very independent.
6. Washes and dries hands with help.
7. Washes self with soap with help.
8. Doesn't like change.
9. Places objects where they belong if they are misplaced.
10. Respects rules.
11. Talks loudly, may scream at times.
12. Sleeps 12 hours each day.
13. Tells you he needs to use potty.
14. Blows nose with assistance.
15. May not nap any longer.
16. Sleep in toddler bed.
17. Begins talking in full sentences.
18. Begin to play with other children in the same game.