Developmental Milestones

Children develop at different rates

Skills such as smiling for the first time, babbling and walking are called developmental milestones. Children develop at different rates. Some children speed along, others may need more time to learn the same skills. It is impossible to tell exactly when a child will learn any given skills. However, early developmental skills tend to follow a certain sequence. Developmental milestones give a general idea of the skills to expect as a child grows. See below as a guideline.

As a parent, you know your child best. If your child is not reaching one or more milestones for their age, has lost skills he/she once had, or if you are concerned about your child’s development, come and talk to us. We can address your concerns and give you advice.

6 – 9 months – holds bottle
9 – 12 months – finger-feeds self
12 – 18 months – chews most foods well
12 – 18 months – drinks from open-top cup
18 – 24 months – feeds self with spoon
18 – 24 months – gives up bottle
18 – 24 months – will use a spoon with little spilling
30 – 36 months – will feed themselves using a spoon and fork

This is an approximate timeline: every child will differ slightly in their progress.

For further details, you may check:
- https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html (English Only)
- https://www.fhs.gov.hk/english/health_info/class_topic/ct_child_health/ch_child_develop.html

6 months – make babbling sounds
12 months – single words
2 years – two-word phrases
2.5 years – short phrases, three words together
3 years – four-word sentences; can be understood approx. 75% of time
4 years – complete sentences

All children are individuals and develop speech at different rates. The milestones above are guidelines only.

6 weeks old – a baby can get through the night without being fed if they are medically well, putting on weight and weigh over 10 lbs.

6 months – you can start using ‘controlled crying’ if necessary.

9 – 12 months – they should be sleeping through the night.

9 – 12 months – they should be having 1 – 2 naps a day and may begin to refuse the morning nap.

13 – 18 months – nap once in the afternoon.

31 months+ – cuts out all naps.

0 – 1 years – Babies will point to pictures and babble in imitation of the sounds a caregiver makes when reading.

1 – 2 years – Children will point to the pictures they want to be named and may use one or two words to convey information.

2 – 3 years – Children will respond to simple questions about familiar objects and events as shown in pictures and described in stories.

3 – 4 years – Children will begin to make connections between what they are reading and their own life experiences.

4 – 5 years – Children will compare and contrast favourite characters in different books.

2 years

play primarily on their own
imitate others’ actions, particularly adults.

3 years

watch other children; play well with others for brief periods
share toys and take turns in simple group activities
show affection to familiar playmates.

4 years

cooperate with other children
show empathy for others
participate in dramatic make-believe play
choose their own friends.

5 years

play competitive games; understand the idea of fair play
enjoy singing, dancing and acting
show more independence and may visit a friend unaccompanied
play group games with simple rules.

If your baby shows any of these signs, please ask a professional for an immediate evaluation:

No big smiles or joyful expressions by 6 months.
No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions by 9 months.
No babbling by 12 months.
No back-and-forth gestures, such as pointing, showing, reaching, or waving by 12 months.
No words by 16 months.
No two-word meaningful phrases (without imitating or repeating) by 24 months.
Any loss or regression of skills at any age.

EATING & FEEDING

6 – 9 months – holds bottle
9 – 12 months – finger-feeds self
12 – 18 months – chews most foods well
12 – 18 months – drinks from open-top cup
18 – 24 months – feeds self with spoon
18 – 24 months – gives up bottle
18 – 24 months – will use a spoon with little spilling
30 – 36 months – will feed themselves using a spoon and fork