Development · 0–6 years · 8 min

Developmental milestones by age: what to expect from 0 to 6

Every child has their own pace — milestones are windows, not tests. This guide maps what usually shows up at each stage (motor, language, thinking and social) so you can follow along calmly and know when it's worth talking to your pediatrician.

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Baby stacking wooden blocks on a rug while a parent watches closely

Before you compare

Milestones are ranges, not deadlines.

Two healthy children can start walking at 10 and at 16 months — and both are within range. What matters isn't the exact date but the sequence: each skill pulls the next one along, and progress keeps happening month after month.

Use the list below as an observation map, never as a pass-or-fail checklist. Note what your child already does and bring those notes to routine check-ups — that's worth far more than any comparison with the neighbour's kid.

📅 Stage by stage

What usually shows up at each age.

0–6 months

Holds head up and pushes chest up during tummy time
Tracks objects with the eyes and smiles back
Babbles sounds (ba, ga) and reacts to familiar voices
Brings hands to mouth and reaches for nearby objects

6–12 months

Sits without support, then crawls or scoots
Picks up small objects with a pincer grasp
Responds to their own name and understands 'no'
Repeats syllables (mamama) and plays peek-a-boo

1–2 years

Walks steadily, climbs steps with help
Uses 10 to 50 words and points at what they want
Imitates everyday tasks (sweeping, talking on the phone)
Stacks 3–4 blocks and scribbles freely

2–3 years

Puts 2–3 words together ('want more water')
Runs, jumps with both feet, kicks a ball
Plays simple pretend games
Names body parts and familiar colours

3–4 years

Tells short stories and asks endless questions
Pedals a trike and climbs stairs alternating feet
Draws a circle and starts copying shapes
Plays alongside other children, still learning to share

4–6 years

Speaks in full sentences that strangers understand
Recognises letters and their own written name
Cuts with scissors, dresses almost independently
Follows simple game rules and waits their turn

🏠 At home

What supports development at any age.

None of these ideas need expensive materials — they all fit the routine you already have.

Narrate the day

Describe what's happening ('I'm turning on the warm water'). Language grows with exposure, not pressure.

Read every day

Ten minutes of books — even the same book again — build vocabulary and attention.

Free movement

Floor time, parks, stairs, climbing up and down. The body is the base for every other learning area.

Screen-free play

Blocks, dough, cups and water teach cause and effect better than any app.

Predictable routine

Knowing what comes next frees up mental energy to explore and learn.

Wait time

Ask a question, then pause. Silence is where a child organises their answer.

🚩 Red flags

When to talk to your pediatrician.

A single item on its own is rarely a problem. Seek guidance when you notice several points, or a loss of skills already gained:

No head control by 4 months, or not sitting by 9 months
No pointing or consistent eye contact by 12–15 months
No single words by 18 months, or no two-word phrases by 2 years
Loses skills they already had (speech, walking, interaction)
Not understood by adults outside the family by age 4
Doesn't interact with other children or sustain simple play by age 5

Quick checklist

How to track without turning it into a test.

Note this week's new things on your phone (a new word, a new skill)
Bring those notes to routine check-ups
Compare your child to themselves three months ago, not to other kids
Offer the chance before helping: wait a few seconds
Prioritise sleep, movement and conversation — the trio behind every milestone
When in doubt, assess sooner: early support is always lighter

This content is informational and does not replace assessment by a pediatrician or child development professional for your child's specific situation.

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