Should I Be Concerned?
Understanding Developmental Milestones for Your Child
Children grow and learn at their own pace — but certain skills usually appear within expected timeframes. Missing milestones doesn’t always mean something is wrong, but it’s a good idea to check in with your child’s healthcare provider or a developmental specialist if you have concerns.
Potential Red Flags:
Age:
By 6
Months
Speech & Language
Not babbling (“ba-ba,” “da-da”); does not look toward sounds or voices
Motor Skills
Cannot hold head up steadily; not rolling over; difficulty bringing hands to mouth; not reaching for toys with either hand; cannot grasp and hold a small object
Social & Play
Avoids eye contact; limited smiling
By 9 months
Does not respond to familiar voices; does not respond to name
Cannot sit without support; is not able to transition between lying → sitting; sitting → lying, cannot pick up small objects; does not transfer objects between hands
Does not laugh, squeal, or show excitement with their voice; no interest in peek-a-boo or interactive games
By 12 months
No gestures (waving, pointing); limited babbling/verbal output
Not sitting without support; not crawling; not pulling to stand; cannot pick up a small item between thumb and forefinger; does not point with index finger
Does not engage in back-and-forth vocal play (“conversation”); not laughing or seeking others’ attention
By 18 months
Not saying 6–10 words; no simple imitation; not understanding simple words or "no"
Not walking independently; very stiff or floppy movements; does not scribble or attempt to make marks on paper; difficulty turning pages in a book
Doesn’t seem to notice/care if others upset; not showing affection toward others
By 2 years
Not putting 2 words together (“more milk”); not following simple directions
Cannot walk steadily; trouble climbing onto furniture; cannot use one hand more consistently for tasks; does not imitate drawing simple lines
Not engaging in simple social routines (peek-a-boo, rolling ball back and forth); minimal interest in play
By 3 years
Speech hard for familiar people to understand; limited vocabulary; not asking questions
Trouble running, climbing, or using stairs with support; not jumping with both feet; difficulty using hands for play (stacking blocks, scribbling)
Prefers to play alone; no pretend play
By 4 years
Speech hard for strangers to understand; not speaking in sentences; not answering questions
Can’t throw/catch ball; struggles with stairs; cannot climb playground equipment; difficulty holding crayons; has trouble using utensils for self-feeding; cannot cut along a straight line
Doesn’t play cooperatively; rarely uses imagination
By 5 years
Trouble telling simple stories; unclear speech, difficulty with basic grammar; difficulty following directions
Can’t hop or skip; trouble using utensils/buttons/zippers; trouble drawing basic shapes or a recognizable person; cannot cut out simple shapes with scissors
Trouble making friends; rarely shows empathy; doesn’t understand turn-taking