Developmental Milestones by Age
Every child grows at their own pace. The milestones below offer a gentle guide to the skills and discoveries you might notice at each stage. Our teachers observe, document, and celebrate these moments with you every day.
Infants
| 0–6 Months | 6–12 Months |
|---|---|
Begins to smile at people; can briefly calm themself; tries to look at a parent or familiar adult; coos and makes gurgling sounds; begins to follow things with their eyes; holds head up and begins to push up during tummy time; copies some movements and facial expressions; cries in different ways to show hunger, pain, or tiredness; responds to affection; brings hands to mouth; may roll from tummy to back; holds and shakes a toy. | Knows familiar faces and starts to recognize strangers; likes to play with others; enjoys looking at themself in a mirror; strings vowels together when babbling; responds to their own name; shows curiosity; passes objects from one hand to the other; rolls over in both directions; begins to sit without support; understands “no”; points to things; plays peek-a-boo; can get into a sitting position, crawl, or “cruise.” |
Toddlers
12–24 Months — Plays games with peers and adults; responds to simple spoken requests; uses gestures like waving or shaking their head; says “mama” or “dada”; looks at the right picture or object when it is named; starts to use things correctly; stands alone; shows affection to familiar peers and adults; says several single words; points to their own body parts; scribbles; pushes and pulls toys while walking; eats with utensils with little support; likes to help dress themselves; and will walk, run, climb, and jump.
Preschool
| 3 Years | 4 Years |
|---|---|
Plays make-believe; shows affection for peers; mostly toilet trained; understands right and wrong; takes turns in games; knows colors and begins sorting by shape; shows empathy; separates easily from parents; dresses and undresses; follows multi-step directions; says their name, age, and sex; builds towers of six or more blocks; climbs, runs, and uses stairs one foot at a time. | Uses full sentences; draws a person with body parts; enjoys new things; becomes more creative in make-believe play; cooperates with other children; understands real vs. make-believe; sings songs from memory; tells stories with detail and sequence; understands counting and basic numbers; plays simple games; hops, stands on one foot, and catches a bounced ball. |
Pre-K
| 4 Years | 5 Years |
|---|---|
Follows multi-step directions and separates easily from parents; plays cooperatively and takes turns; names colors and basic shapes; recognizes some letters and numbers; speaks clearly in sentences of four or more words; dresses and undresses independently; builds block structures, puzzles, and patterns; demonstrates empathy and respect; catches, runs, climbs, and balances; begins drawing people and copying shapes. | Uses full sentences to tell stories; recognizes most letters and their sounds and begins sounding out simple words; writes their name and some words; counts toward 20; retells familiar stories and makes predictions; cooperates and solves problems with growing independence; uses scissors, glue, and writing tools safely; hops, skips, and balances with control; asks questions and persists through challenges. |
School Age
| Ages 5–8 Years | Ages 9–12 Years |
|---|---|
Strengthens coordination, balance, and fine motor control; begins to understand others’ perspectives; expands vocabulary and reading comprehension; applies basic math and problem-solving strategies; demonstrates empathy and fairness in groups; takes pride in multi-step projects; understands cause and effect; learns new games and sports; manages belongings and responsibilities; participates actively in discussions. | Develops critical thinking and reasoning; recognizes how actions affect others; demonstrates independence and self-regulation; organizes and completes projects with less guidance; expands interests through clubs and activities; uses writing and research to express complex ideas; balances social dynamics with empathy; seeks feedback and takes pride in improvement; practices teamwork and leadership; shows curiosity about the world and community. |