Cognitive milestones provide guidance on what children can and should be doing by a certain age. Developmental milestones are important indicators of a child’s growth and help caregivers, early childhood educators, and healthcare providers identify any potential concerns or delays. It is important to note that milestones are often based on specific cultural and social assumptions (Ertem et al., 2019). Expected skills and behaviors may vary depending on the community or country a child resides in. Figure 5.4 shows a list of common cognitive skills and abilities for children in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC, 2022).
Figure 5.4 Infant and Toddler Cognitive Milestones.
Typical Age
What Most Children Do by This Age
0–6 months
watch you as you move
look at a toy for several seconds
open mouth when breast or bottle present, if hungry
look at hands with interest
put things in mouth to explore them
reach to grab a toy they want
close lips to show they don’t want more food
6–12 months
look for objects when dropped out of sight
bang two things together
put something in a container, like a block in a cup
look for things they see you hide, like a toy under a blanket
1–2 years
try to say one or two words besides “mama” or “dada,” like “ba” for ball or “da” for dog
look at a familiar object when you name it
follow directions given with both a gesture and words
point to ask for something or to get help
copy chores, like sweeping with a broom
play with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car
hold something in one hand while using the other hand
