Developmental milestones

What to expect, without the worry.

Every child unfolds on their own timeline. Use this as a compass, not a checklist.

Parenting Pillar Guide

Child Development Milestones: Understanding Natural Growth Without Anxiety

Learn how development unfolds in organic seasons, how to support emerging skills with unhurried floor time, and when to seek advice.

Read Milestones Guide

DomainsMotor SkillsLanguage & SpeechCognitiveSocial & EmotionalSelf-Care

0 – 12 months

Newborn & Infant

The year of firsts. Every gaze, grasp and giggle is a whole world unfolding — from a warm bundle to a little person who waves goodbye.

Track these for your child

Calms when picked up or spoken to
Social · ~2 mo
Recognises your voice and soothes to it
First social smile
Social · ~2 mo
Smiles back when you smile or talk to them
Makes cooing sounds
Language · ~2 mo
Soft vowel sounds beyond crying
Holds head up during tummy time
Motor · ~2 mo
Brief lifts on forearms
Watches you move around the room
Cognitive · ~2 mo
Follows a face across midline
Laughs out loud
Social · ~4 mo
Belly laughs during play
Turns head toward voices
Language · ~4 mo
Especially familiar ones
Holds head steady when upright
Motor · ~4 mo
No more head-lag when pulled to sit
Brings hands to mouth
Motor · ~4 mo
Mouths fingers and small toys
Opens mouth for the breast or bottle when hungry
Cognitive · ~4 mo
Anticipates a feed on sight
Knows familiar people
Social · ~6 mo
Lights up for you; wary of strangers
Takes turns in 'conversation'
Language · ~6 mo
Coos, waits, coos again
Rolls both ways
Motor · ~6 mo
Belly to back, then back to belly
Reaches to grab a toy
Motor · ~6 mo
Whole-hand rake grasp
Opens mouth for the spoon
Self-care · ~6 mo
First tastes of mashed food
Sits without support
Motor · ~8 mo
Steady for a minute or more
Shy or clingy with strangers
Social · ~9 mo
A healthy attachment sign
Reacts to their name
Social · ~9 mo
Turns head when called
Babbles with intent
Language · ~9 mo
'Ba-ba', 'da-da', long chains
Moves things hand to hand
Motor · ~9 mo
Transfers a toy across midline
Looks for a hidden toy
Cognitive · ~9 mo
Emerging object permanence
Bangs two objects together
Cognitive · ~9 mo
Cause-and-effect play
Plays games like peek-a-boo
Social · ~11 mo
Anticipates the reveal and laughs
Waves 'bye-bye'
Language · ~11 mo
Gestures to communicate
Pulls to stand and cruises
Motor · ~11 mo
Walks holding furniture
Calls a parent by name
Language · ~12 mo
'Mama', 'papa' with meaning
Understands 'no'
Language · ~12 mo
Pauses when told firmly
Pincer grasp
Motor · ~12 mo
Picks up small bits between finger and thumb
Puts something into a container
Cognitive · ~12 mo
Emptying and filling play
Drinks from an open cup with help
Self-care · ~12 mo
Sips, spills, tries again