Age & Milestones/Suggestions & Tips

2 Months Milestones: 

• Calms down when spoken to or picked up
• Looks at your face
• Seems happy to see you
• Smiles when you talk to or smile at them

2 Months Suggestions & Tips:

• Respond positively to your baby.
• Act excited, smile, and talk to him them.
• Practice staying calm when your baby is upset by talking softly, holding, rocking, or singing to them.
• Being responsive to your baby helps him learn and grow.

4 Months Milestones: 

• Smiles on his own to get your attention
• Chuckles when you make them laugh
• Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention

4 Months Suggestions & Tips:

• Let your baby have time to move and interact with people and objects throughout the day.
• Hold and talk to your baby; smile and be cheerful while you do.
• Play games, such as peek-a-boo.
• Watch for your baby’s smile or other signs of enjoyment.

6 Months Milestones: 

• Knows familiar people
• Likes to look at self in a mirror
• Laughs

6 Months Suggestions & Tips:

• When your baby smiles, you smile; when he makes sounds, you copy them.
• Learn to read your baby’s moods. If he’s happy, keep doing what you are doing. If he’s upset, take a break and comfort your baby.
• Hold your baby while talking to them in front of a mirror.

9 Months Milestones: 

• Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers
• Shows several facial expressions like happy, sad, angry, and surprised
• Looks when you call their name
• Reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries)
• Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo

9 Months Suggestions & Tips:

• Play games with your baby, such as my turn, your turn by passing a toy back and forth or peek-aboo.
• Limit screen time (TV, tablets, phones, etc.) to video calling with loved ones.
• Pay attention to the way your baby reacts to new situations and people.
• Try to continue to do things that make your baby happy and comfortable.

1 Year Milestones: 

• Plays games with you, like pat-acake

1 year Suggestions & Tips:

• Give your baby pots and pans or a small musical instrument like a drum or cymbals.
• Encourage your baby to make noise.
• Give your baby time to get to know a new caregiver.
• Bring a favorite toy, stuffed animal, or blanket to help comfort your baby.
• Play repetitive games like Pat-a-Cake.

15 Months Milestones: 

• Copies other children while playing
• Shows you an object they like
• Claps when excited
• Hugs stuffed doll or other toy
• Shows you affection (hugs, cuddles, or kisses you)

15 Months Suggestions & Tips:

• Teach your child “wanted behaviors.” Show them what to do and use positive words/actions when they do it.
• Sing or play children’s songs and songs your family enjoys.
• “Pretend talk” to your child with a stuffed animal.
• Clap with your child when they accomplish something.
• Try distracting your child during tantrums.

18 Months Milestones: 

• Keeps an eye on you while moving away
• Points to show you interest in something
• Puts hands out to be washed
• Looks at a few pages in a book with you
• Helps you dress them by pushing arm through sleeve or lifting up foot

18 Months Suggestions & Tips:

• Talk with your child by facing them and getting down at eye level when possible.
• Give simple choices. Let your child choose between two things.
• Read books and talk about the pictures using simple words.
• Let your child help you with dressing time by pushing their arms into their sleeves or pushing their feet into their shoes.

2 Years Milestones: 

• Notices when others are hurt or upset, like pausing or looking sad when someone is crying
• Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation

2 Years Suggestions & Tips:

• Help your child how to deal with conflicts by helping them share, take turns, and use words when possible.
• Use positive words when your child is being a good helper.
• Let them help with simple chores, such as putting toys or laundry in a basket.
• Point out how others might feel in situations.
• Use positive words and give more attention to behaviors you want to see.

30 Months Milestones: 

• Plays next to or with other children
• Shows you what they can do by saying, “Look at me!”
• Follows simple routines when told, like helping to pick up toys when you say, “It’s clean-up time.”

30 Months Suggestions & Tips:

• Help your child learn how to play with other children.
• Show them how to share, take turns, and use their “words.”
• Let your child play with other children, such as at a park or library.
• Play “Follow the leader” with your child.
• Create simple routines for cleaning up that your child can help you with.

3 Years Milestones: 

• Calms down within 10 minutes after you leave, like at a childcare drop off
• Notices other children and joins them to play

3 Years Suggestions & Tips:

• Talk about your child’s emotions and give him words to help him explain how he’s feeling.
• Encourage your child to play with other children.
• Talk to your child about routines. Pictures can help them to understand timelines for being picked up such as lunchtime, nap time, or playtime.

4 Years Milestones: 

• Pretends to be something else during play (teacher, doctor, dog)
• Asks to go play with other children
• Comforts others who are hurt or sad
• Avoids dangerous behavior
• Likes to be a “helper”
• Changes behavior based on place

4 Years Suggestions & Tips:

• Before going somewhere / meeting someone new you can read stories or role play (pretend play) to help your child be comfortable.
• Encourage your child to use “his words” to ask for things and solve problems but show them how.
• Help your child learn about others’ feelings, and about positive ways to react.

5 Years Milestones: 

• Follows rules or takes turns when playing games with other children
• Sings, dances, or acts for you
• Does simple chores at home, like matching socks or clearing the table after eating

5 Years Suggestions & Tips:

• Let your child do things for himself, even if he doesn’t do it perfectly.
• Let your child play with other children, such as at a park or library.
• Help your child be ready for new places and meeting new people. For example, you can read stories or role play (pretend play) to help her get ready for Kindergarten.