A child’s development is an unfolding story. Child development is complex, and many parts of this story are subtle, individual, and variable. Any "checklist" or calendar of developmental milestones will blur or miss important aspects, and may trouble parents whose child is developing normally or falsely reassure parents whose child should be evaluated.

One of the reasons for frequent well-child pediatric visits in the early years is to assess your child's development. Any concerns on the part of the doctors, parents, teachers, or childcare providers are important to discuss and address, and may trigger a more detailed developmental assessment.

Below is a general list of some of the things you might see children doing at different ages, but these are not precise guidelines. There are many different normal paces and patterns of development. Only one is provided here.

For instance, it is also common and normal not to walk without support or have the first tooth before the first birthday. And it is also normal for boys to start puberty and seek peer acceptance well before the twelfth birthday.

Infant -- birth to 1 year

• Displays social smile
• Rolls over by self
• Able to sit alone, without support
• Babbling
• Plays peek-a-boo
• Eruption of 1st tooth
• Pulls self to standing position
• Walks while holding on to furniture or other support
• Says mama and dada, using terms appropriately
• Able to drink from a cup
• Understands "NO" and will stop activity in response
• Walks without support

• Masters walking
• Recognizes gender differences
• Uses up to 8 words and understands simple commands
• Able to run, pivot, and walk backwards
• Uses spoon to feed self
• Can name pictures of common objects and point to body parts
• Able to walk up and down stairs
• Imitates speech of others, "echoing" word back
• Begins pedaling tricycle
• Learns to take turns (if directed) while playing with other children
• Able to feed self neatly, with minimal spilling
• Able to state first and last name
• Recognizes and labels colors appropriately
• Able to draw a line (when shown one)
• Dresses self with only minimal help
• Learns to share toys (without adult direction)

• Rides tricycle well
• Able to draw a circle
• Able to draw stick figures with 2 to 3 features for people
• Hops on one foot
• Catches a bounced ball
• Understands size concepts
• Enjoys rhymes and word play
• Able to skip
• Enjoys doing most things independently, without help
• Balances better, may begin to ride a bicycle
• Understands time concepts
• Begins to recognize written words -- reading skills start
• Starts school

• Understands and able to follow sequential directions
• Beginning skills for team sports (soccer, T-ball, etc.)
• Begins to lose "baby" teeth and erupt permanent teeth
• Routines important for daytime activities
• Reading skills develop further
• Peer recognition begins to become important
• Girls begin to show growth of armpit and pubic hair, breast development
• Menarche (1st menstrual period) may occur in girls

• Boys show growth of armpit, chest, and pubic hair; voice changes; and testicular/penile enlargement
• Girls show growth of armpit and pubic hair; breast development; menstrual periods
• Adult height, weight, sexual maturity
• Understands abstract concepts
• Peer acceptance and recognition is of vital importance