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Developmental Milestones Checklist
Age checkpoints, a simple tracking routine, and when to talk to your child's doctor.
A real, editable checklist below — tick, tap a line to rewrite, drag to reorder.
Tick the circles, tap any line to change it, drag the dots to reorder.
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The screening schedule is the part that is easy to miss. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends developmental screening with a validated tool at 9, 18 and 30 months, and autism screening at 18 and 24 months, on top of watching milestones at home. This list gives a few age checkpoints, then a routine: pick the checklist for your child's age, note what you see, and bring it to well-child visits. Milestones show what at least 75 percent of children can do by an age, as set by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics, so a gap is a reason to ask, not a diagnosis. The list does not replace screening by your child's doctor.
Why these items are on the list
- Find your child's age checklist. CDC offers 12 checklists, from 2 months up to 5 years.
- Know what a milestone means. Per the CDC and AAP, milestones reflect what at least 75 percent of children can do by an age.
- First year: smile, roll, sit, babble. Zero to Three lists common first-year moments: the first social smile, rolling over, sitting and responding to their name.
- Check in at 15 and 18 months. Zero to Three names these key check-in ages, and CDC has a checklist for each.
- By 18 months: walking, a few words. Zero to Three: by 18 months most children walk alone and try a few words beyond 'mama' and 'dada'.
- Second year: pointing, pretend play. Zero to Three describes toddlers walking, pointing to show you things, trying first words and beginning to play pretend.
- Third year: running, two-word phrases. Zero to Three: children run, climb and speak longer sentences; toward mid-year many combine words, like 'more juice'.
- Skipping crawling can be typical. Crawling was dropped from the revised milestones. Babies crawl, scoot, roll or skip it; each can be typical.
- Watch play, movement and mealtimes. Most skills show up in play and daily routines; motor skills during movement, self-help at meals.
- Prompt with toys or play. If a skill doesn't appear on its own, try social interaction, toys or a demonstration.
- Tick only skills you've seen. CLI Engage: mark a check or date when seen. If unseen or needing help, leave blank: still learning.
- Cover all four areas. Social and emotional, language and communication, cognitive, physical: Zero to Three says children usually work on all at once.
- Note any lost skills. If a child loses a skill they had, mention it to the doctor.
- Jot down what worries you. Sharing examples from home gives the doctor a fuller picture of your child.
- Bring the checklist to visits. Share your checklist and everyday examples at each well-child visit.
- Ask about developmental screening. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends it at 9, 18 and 30 months.
- Ask about autism screening. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends it at 18 and 24 months, or with any concern.
- Talk to the doctor about gaps. If one or more milestones are missed, tell the doctor and share your concerns.
- Ask for a specialist referral. If you or the doctor are still concerned, ask for a referral to a specialist.
- Call your early intervention program. Your state or territory's program can say if your child qualifies for services. Find it at cdc.gov/FindEI.
- Treat it as a guide. Milestones are a guide for conversation, not a test or a screening. A missed one is not a diagnosis.
- Try the CDC Milestone Tracker app. CDC also offers an online checklist if you would rather not print.
On your phone, tick what you have seen and leave the rest blank, the way CLI Engage says its checklists are meant to be used. If two of you care for your child, you can both add what you notice.
When to use it
Useful around each well-child visit, and any time you want to check what is typical for your child's age.