Child Developmental Milestones: monitor your child’s development & spot red flags!

A simple guide for parents and caregivers from birth to 5 years

Every child is unique and grows at their own pace. But there are common milestones that many children follow in the first five years of life. These milestones are like building blocks that support your child’s growth in movement, communication, thinking, social skills, and independence.

To help families track development in a simple way, this Child Developmental Milestones booklet is designed as a checklist. It covers what most children typically do at each age and includes age-specific signs or red flags to watch out for. These are not meant to worry you, but to help you notice delays early, so you can get the right support for your child.

Why do the first five years matter?

The first five years are a time of rapid brain development. These early experiences shape your child’s ability to move, speak, think, feel, and interact with others. As a parent or caregiver, you play a powerful role in this process. The love, safety, play, and support you offer can help your child thrive.

Sometimes, children don’t follow the typical pattern of development. This could be a developmental delay, which may affect one or more areas of growth – physical, emotional, social, language, or thinking. Delays can range from mild to more serious, and early awareness helps with better outcomes.

That’s why being observant, not anxious, is key. Knowing what to expect and when to ask for help can make a big difference.

What are developmental milestones?

Developmental milestones are skills or abilities that most children reach by a certain age. They are grouped into areas like:

• Movement & posture (e.g., sitting, crawling, walking)
• Smaller movements (e.g., picking up objects, drawing)
• Language & communication (e.g., babbling, talking)
• Social & emotional skills (e.g., smiling, showing feelings)
• Learning & thinking (e.g., understanding, problem-solving)
• Vision & hearing (e.g., following faces, reacting to sounds)
• Independence (e.g., feeding themselves, helping with dressing)

These milestones offer general guidance, not strict rules. If your child misses a milestone, it doesn’t always mean there is a problem. But tracking milestones can help you stay informed and act early if needed.

What to expect: Age-by-age highlights

Here are just a few examples of what you might see at each stage. For a full checklist and red flags, refer to the booklet created in collaboration with Dr. Ajay Sharma, Neurodevelopmental Pediatrician.

Newborn to 2 months

• Movement: Moves arms and legs, lifts head during tummy time
• Communication: Cries, starts to coo
• Social: Begins to smile, recognizes caregiver
• Thinking: Follows moving objects
• Sensory: Reacts to loud sounds, prefers faces

4 to 6 months

• Movement: Rolls over, sits with help
• Communication: Laughs, babbles
• Social: Enjoys play, knows familiar faces
• Thinking: Looks around at things nearby
• Sensory: Turns head to voices

9 to 12 months

• Movement: Crawls, pulls to stand
• Communication: Points, says simple words
• Social: Shows preference for people or toys
• Thinking: Looks for hidden objects
• Sensory: Watches objects fall
  

18 months to 2 years

• Movement: Walks, kicks a ball
• Communication: Follows simple directions, combines 2–3 words
• Social: Copies others, shows more independence
• Thinking: Starts pretend play
• Sensory: Notices changes in environment

3 to 5 years

• Movement: Runs well, climbs, skips
• Communication: Tells simple stories, understands more words
• Social: Plays with other children, shows emotions
• Thinking: Counts, sorts colors and shapes
• Sensory: Draws people, recognizes letters or numbers

When should I worry?

Each child grows differently, but you know your child best. If you notice any of the following, you may want to speak with a pediatrician:

• Your child doesn’t smile by 3 months
• Doesn’t respond to sounds or their name
• Can’t sit, stand, or walk even with support at expected ages
• Isn’t speaking any words by 18 months
• Stops doing things they could earlier (loss of skills)

You don’t have to wait to seek help. Early support can be life-changing.

What can affect a child’s development?

Development can be influenced by many factors:

• Genetics (like Down Syndrome or Fragile X)
• Prenatal health (nutrition, exposure to substances)
• Premature birth or birth complications
• Chronic illnesses or frequent infections
• Environmental stressors (poverty, neglect, trauma)

Remember, delays aren’t always caused by parenting or home environment. Development is a combination of nature and nurture.

How play supports development

Play isn’t just fun, it’s how children learn best. Through play, they develop problem-solving skills, social confidence, and motor abilities. Therapy sessions also use play to build specific skills. Watch our video to learn how.

You might also like to read about Factors that help or hinder a child’s development.

Need support?

If you have concerns about your child’s development, or want to understand more about Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, or other developmental differences — we’re here to help.

Call or WhatsApp the FREE Nayi Disha Helpline: 844-844-8996 Our team will guide you with kindness and clarity.

This guide is for awareness and early observation. It is not a tool for diagnosis. Please consult a professional health practitioner for proper guidance.