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How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves offers important clues about your child’s development. Developmental milestones are things most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age. Check the milestones your child has reached by the end of 18 months by completing the checklist below. Share it with your child’s doctor, teacher, and other providers, and be sure to talk about the milestones your child has reached and what to expect next.
If your child was born more than 3 weeks prematurely, use his/her corrected ageexternal iconexternal icon. If your child’s age falls between 2 checklist ages, use the checklist for the younger age.
Checking children’s development regularly is important. CDC’s free Milestone Tracker app is also available to complete the checklists, with reminders and helpful tips on the go! Available on the AppStoreexternal icon and GooglePlayexternal icon.
Milestones matter! Check the milestones your child has reached by 18 months by completing the checklist below.
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CDC does not collect or share any personal information that can be used to identify you or your child.
What Most Babies Do by this Age:
Selected “not sure”? Watch for these milestones over the next week or two. Try some things with your child that gives him/her the chance to show the milestone. If you’re still not seeing the milestone, see the steps below.
Selected “not yet” or have other concerns or questions about your child’s development? Talk with your child’s doctor, teacher and/or another trusted provider. Share the checklist and any questions or concerns you might have. Ask about developmental screening. It’s recommended for all children. If you, the doctor, teacher, or other provider is still concerned after screening, ask to be connected with (1) a specialist who can learn more about your child AND (2) with services and other supports that may help. Visit www.cdc.gov/Concerned for more information.
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 up foot
Tries to say three or more words besides “mama” or “dada”
Follows one-step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, “Give it to me.”
Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom
Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car
Walks without holding on to anyone or anything
Scribbles
Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes
Feeds himself with his fingers
Tries to use a spoon
Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help
Moves away from you, but looks to make sure you are close by