Cognitive Milestones
- Watches you as you move
- Looks at a toy for several seconds
At 2 months
- Calms down when spoken to or picked up
- Look at your face
- Seems happy to see you when you walk up to them
- Smiles when you talk to or smile at them
at 2 months
- Tries to use things the right way, like a phone or a cup, or a book
- Stacks at least two small objects, like blocks
at 15 months
- 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
at 9 months
What milestones do we need to know for the exam?
Cognitive and social/emotional milestones
- Holds something in one hand while using the other hand; for example, holding a container and taking the lid off
- Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons on a toy
- Plays with more than one toy at the same time, like putting toy food on a toy plate
At 2 years
- Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake
at 12 months
- Uses things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll as if it were food
- Shows simple problem-solving skills, like standing on a small stool to reach something
-Follows two-step instructions like "put the toy down and close the door"
- Shows they know at least one color, like pointing to a red crayon when you ask, "which one is red?"
At 30 months
- Calms down within 10 minutes after you leave them, like at a childcare drop-off
- Notices other children and joins them to play
3 years
- Puts things in their mouth to explore them
- reaches to grab a toy they want
- Closes lips to show they don't want more food
At 6 months - cognitive milestones
- Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like their spoon or toy)
- Bangs two things together
At 9 months
- Moves away from you, but looks to make sure you are close by
- Points to show you something interesting
- Puts hands out for you to wash them
- Looks at a few pages in a book with you
-Helps you dress him by pushing arm through sleeve or lifting foot
At 18 months
- Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom
-Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car
at 18 months
at 15 months
- Copies other children while playing, like taking toys out of a container when another child does
- Shows you an object she likes
- Claps when excited
- Hugs stuffed doll or other toy
-Shows you affection (hugs, cuddles, or kisses you)
- 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
at 5 years social/emotional milestones
At 5 years
- Counts to 10
- Names some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them
- Uses words about time, like "yesterday" "tomorrow" "morning" or "night"
- Pays attention for 5 to 10 minutes during activities. For example, during story time or making arts & crafts (screen time does not count)
- writes some letters in her name
- Names some letters when you point to them
At 6 months
- Knows familiar people
- Likes to look at themselves in a mirror
- Laughs
- Pretends to be something else during play (teacher, superhero, dog)
- Asks to go play with children if none are around, like "Can I play with Alex?"
- Comforts others who are hurt or sad, like hugging a crying friend
- Avoids danger, like not jumping from tall heights at the playground
- Likes to be a "helper"
- Changes behavior based on where she is (place of worships, library, playground)
at 4 months
- Smiles on their own to get your attention
- Chuckles (not yet a full laugh) when you try to make them laugh
- Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep attention
At 3 years cognitive milestones
- Draws a circle, when you show them how
- Avoids touching hot objects, like a stove, when you warn them
At 4 years
- Names a few colors of items
- Tells what comes next in a well-known story
- Draws a person with three or more body parts
At 30 months
- Plays next to other children and sometimes plays with them
- Shows you what she 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"
At 4 months
- If hungry, open mouth when they see breast or bottle
- Looks at there hands with interest
At 2 years
- Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation
12 months - cognitive milestones
- Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup
- Looks for things they see you hide, like a toy under a blanket