Welcome to another insightful article where we will be exploring children’s developmental milestones during their early years.

The initial stages of a child’s growth hold profound significance, sparking a keen interest and a desire for understanding among parents.

Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “bye-bye” are called developmental milestones. Children reach these milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move.

While each developmental milestone is associated with a certain age, the actual age a child achieves that milestone may vary.

It is important to note that every child is unique and possesses their own distinct characteristics.

Let’s dive in!

FROM 2 MONTHS

What most babies do by this age:

Movement / Physical Development Milestones 

• Opens hands briefly 

• Moves both arms and both legs

• Looks up when on the tummy

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Looks at objects for several seconds

• Watches as you move

• Language / Communication Milestones

• Makes sounds other than crying

• Reacts to sounds

Emotional / Social Milestones 

• Seems excited to see you when you walk up to him/her

• Seems happy when you talk or smile to him/her

• Calms down when spoken to or picked up.

FROM 4 MONTHS

Emotional / Social Milestones

• Smiles on his or her own to get your attention

• Chuckles ( not a full laugh) when you try to make him or her laugh.

• Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention.

Language / Communication Milestones 

• Turn head toward the sound of your voice

• Make sounds back when you talk to him or her.

• Makes sounds like ‘aaahhhhh’ or ‘ooooo’ (cooing)

• Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• If hungry, open mouth when he or she sees breast or bottle.

• Looks at his or her hand with interest.

Movement / Physical Development Milestones.

• Brings hand to mouth

• Holds objects when you put them in his or her hand.

• Uses hands to swing at objects

• Holds head steady without support when you are holding or carrying him or her.

• Pushes up to elbows when lying on tummy.

FROM 6 MONTHS

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Knows familiar people

• Likes to look at self in a mirror

• Laughs 

• Language/Communication Milestones

• Takes turns making sounds with you

• Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows) 

• Makes squealing noises 

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Puts things in her mouth to explore them

• Reaches to grab a toy she wants

• Closes lips to show she doesn’t want more food 

• Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Rolls from tummy to back 

• Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy

• Leans on his/her hands to support herself when sitting.

FROM 9 MONTHS

• Social/Emotional Milestones

• Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers 

• Shows several facial expressions, like happy, sad, angry, and surprised

• Looks when you call her name 

• Reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries) 

• Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo

• Language/Communication Milestones

• Makes a lot of different sounds like “mama mama” and “baba ba baba” 

• Lifts arms up to be picked up) 

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like his spoon or toy) 

• Bangs two things together 

• Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Gets to a sitting position by herself 

• Moves things from one hand to the other hand

• Uses fingers to “rake” food toward himself/herself

• Sits without support

FROM 1 YEAR

• Social/Emotional Milestones

• Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake 

• Language/Communication Milestones

• Waves “bye-bye” 

• Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name 

• Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it) 

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Put something in a container, like a block in a cup 

• Looks for things he sees you hide, like a toy under a blanket 

• Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Pulls up to stand

• Walks, holding onto furniture 

• Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it 

• Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food 

FROM 15 MONTHS

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Copies other children while playing, like taking toys out of a container when another child does

• Shows you an object she likes

• Claps when excited 

• Hugs stuffed dolls or other toy

• Shows you affection (hugs, cuddles, or kisses you)

Language/Communication Milestones

• Tries to say one or two words besides “mama” or “dada,” like “ba” for ball or “da” for dog 

• Looks at a familiar object when you name it 

• Follows directions given with both a gesture and words. For example, he gives you a toy when you hold out your hand and say, “Give me the toy.” 

• Points to ask for something or to get help .

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Tries to use things the right way, like a phone, cup, or book

• Stacks at least two small objects, like blocks 

• Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Takes a few steps on his own

• Uses fingers to feed herself some food 

FROM 18 MONTHS

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Moves away from you, but looks to make sure you are close by 

• 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.

Language/Communication Milestones

• 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.” 

• Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom 

• Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car.

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• 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

FROM 2 YEARS

• Points to at least two body parts when you ask him to show you 

• Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes 

• Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Holds something in one hand while using the other hand; for example, holding a container and taking the lid off 

• Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons on a toy

• Plays with more than one toy at the same time, like putting toy food on a toy plate

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Kicks a ball

• Runs 

• Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help

• Eats with a spoon

I trust you found this article both enlightening and enriching.

Remember, you know your child best.

Talk with your child’s doctor should you have any concerns about your child’s development, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening.

To book an appointment with a Pediatrician at Atlantis Pediatric Hospital kindly walk-in at

📍Plot 64, Fola Osibo Rd, by Victoria Arobieke, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

or call our patient care line on 08119817804