It’s exciting to watch babies learn new skills and reach milestones as they grow. Babbles turn to words and crawling turns to running faster than you think. New parents often have many questions about child development stages. They may wonder about the average age when babies walk or talk and if their child is on track. While all children develop at different rates, there are some general guidelines that pediatricians follow.
This infographic from the AAA State of Play research team provides a timeline of baby development milestones from age 2 months all the way through 5 years.
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Major Baby and Toddler Milestones
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these are the ages at which babies and toddlers should be hitting important developmental milestones:
Smiles at familiar faces: 2 months
Holds head steady while unsupported: 4 months
Rolls from stomach to back: 4 months
Responds to name: 6 months
Rolls over in both directions: 6 months
Sits upright: 9 months
Starts to crawl: 9 months
Says small words like “mama” and “dada”: 1 year
Starts to “cruise” by holding furniture to walk: 1 year
Walks unassisted: 18 months
Can properly use things like cups and spoons: 18 months
Says two-to-four-word sentences: 2 years
Sorts shapes and colors: 2 years
Walks up and down stairs: 2 years
Pedals a tricycle: 3 years
Says first and last name: 4 years
Can pour and cut with supervision: 4 years
Can count to 10: 5 years
Uses the toilet on their own: 5 years
While these are the average ages of baby milestones, concerned parents should always discuss any questions or worries with their child’s doctor. Parents should also consult a doctor if a child loses any skill they had previously mastered.
How to Support Children Through the Stages of Development
Many parents wonder how they can help foster their baby’s development to ensure that they are growing and learning at an appropriate pace.
Talk and read to your baby. Babies should be talked and read to often, even as newborns. Speaking to your child helps build the foundation of their language skills.
Play peek-a-boo. Peek-a-boo teaches children about object permanence and allows them to playfully engage with loved ones.
Give children a choice. Many toddler temper tantrums are due to children feeling like they have no control over their lives. Giving them age-appropriate choices shows respect.
Go outside and play. The best way to improve motor skills is to get outside. Whether it’s heading out to a park to climb on a playground structure or going to the backyard to play on a swing set, being outside allows children to use up energy and improve skills like running and climbing.
Encourage children to draw. Drawing and scribbling is a great way to improve fine motor skills. It also encourages creativity and imaginative thinking.
Be consistent. Children thrive on routines and consistency. Not only does it keep them safe, but it helps them feel more secure so that they can focus on their behavior and developing skills.
Supporting children and giving them the resources they need to succeed is the best way to ensure that they reach their milestones and become healthy, well-adjusted people.
