Pediatric Services

Developmental Milestones Matter!

Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “bye-bye,” are called developmental milestones. From birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how he or she plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves.

 

Developmental Red Flags (12 to 24 months)

  • Cannot walk by 18 months

  • Does not speak at least 15 words by 18 months

  • Does not use two-word sentences by age 2

  • Does not imitate actions or words by 24 mos.

  • Does not follow one-step instructions by 24 mos.

 

Developmental Red Flags (24 to 36 months)

  • Frequent falling and difficulty with stairs

  • Persistent drooling or very unclear speech

  • Inability to build a tower of more than 4 blocks

  • Difficulty manipulating small objects

  • No involvement in pretend play

  • Failure to understand simple instructions

  • Little interest in other children

 

Developmental Red Flags (3 to 4 years)

  • Cannot jump in place

  • Cannot ride a trike

  • Cannot grasp a crayon between thumb and fingers

  • Cannot copy a circle

  • Cannot stack 4 blocks

  • Still clings or cries when parents leave

  • Shows no interest in interactive games

  • Doesn't respond to people outside the family

  • Resists dressing, sleeping, using the toilet

  • Lashes out without any self-control when upset

  • Doesn't use sentences of more than three words

  • Doesn't use "me" or "you" appropriately