The information in the table below is a comprehensive list of cognitive developmental milestones. A brief version of this information is available in an easy-to-use checklist from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

2 months

• Pays attention to faces
• Begins to follow things with eyes
• Looks at or watches a toy for short periods of time

4 months

• Reacts to seeing breast or bottle when hungry
• Shows interest in their own hands
• Follows toy from side to side or up and down with eyes and sometimes by turning their head
• Waves arms at toys

6 months

• Closes lips or pushes bottle or breast away when finished eating
• Brings things to mouth
• Shows curiosity about and reaches to get things of interest
• Begins to pass things from one hand to another

9 months

• Engages in social games like peek-a-boo
• Tries to get a toy that is out of reach
• Bangs a toy on a table or the floor
• Holds a toy in each hand at the same time; may try to bang toys together

12 months

• Explores things in different ways like shaking, banging, throwing
• Finds hidden things easily
• Puts things in a container, takes things out of a container
• Copies gestures like waving bye-bye
• Understands the word “no” and may pause briefly or stop
• Bangs two things together

15 months

• Starts to use things correctly (like drinking from a cup, brushing hair)
• Stacks two or more blocks
• Looks at the right picture or thing when it is named
• Drops two small objects into a container one right after the other
• Scribbles on paper with a crayon after watching an adult

18 months

• Knows what ordinary things are; for example, telephone, brush, spoon
• Points to get the attention of others
• Shows interest in copying simple chores like sweeping or wiping the table
• Can follow one-step verbal commands without any gestures; for example, sits when you say “sit down”
• Scribbles on own

24 months

• Uses one hand to hold a container while the other hand removes the lid
• Plays with multiple toys at the same time
• Points to several body parts when asked to identify
• Uses knobs, buttons, and switches
• Builds towers of four or more blocks

30 months

• Pretends objects are something else like a bowl as a hat.
• Uses simple problem-solving skills
• Follows two-step directions like, “Pick up your shoes and put them in the closet”
• Identifies one or more colors
• Describes a drawing, even if just a scribble
• Points to self in mirror when asked “where is (child’s name)

36 months

• Draws a line or circle once shown
• Identifies actions in picture books (eating, sleeping, playing)
• Strings items onto sting or shoelace
• Avoids touching hot objects after a warning
• Puts on loose clothing independently
• Screws and unscrews jar lids or turns door handles
• Builds towers of more than six blocks

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026). Developmental milestones. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/