Your Child’s First Two Years: Key Developmental Milestones
Watching your child grow is one of life’s greatest joys. Each smile, babble, and first step feels like a big achievement. Developmental milestones are skills most children learn by certain ages. They’re not rigid checklists but rather helpful guideposts to track your child’s growth and celebrate progress along the way.
It’s important to remember: every child develops at their own pace. Some may master skills earlier, while others take more time. What matters most is overall progress across these early years.
Below you’ll find an overview of key developmental milestones from birth through 24 months.
0–3 Months: The Newborn Stage
What you might notice:
Lifts head briefly during tummy time
Brings hands to mouth
Watches faces and begins to track moving objects with eyes
Reacts to loud sounds (startle or turn of the head)
Smiles responsively around 2 months
How to support growth:
Spend time face-to-face, talk in soothing tones, sing, and provide tummy time daily to build strength.
4–6 Months: Early Discovery
What you might notice:
Rolls from tummy to back, and later from back to tummy
Pushes up with arms during tummy time
Reaches for toys and begins passing objects from one hand to the other
Laughs, squeals, and begins babbling (“ba,” “da”)
Recognizes familiar faces and responds with joy
How to support growth:
Offer colorful, safe toys, encourage reaching and grasping, and make play interactive. Smile and talk back when your baby babbles.
7–12 Months: First Big Moves
What you might notice:
Sits without support
Crawls, scoots, or begins pulling to stand
Picks up small items using thumb and finger (pincer grasp)
Says first simple words (“mama,” “dada”)
Plays interactive games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake
Waves or claps to imitate adults
How to support growth:
Read daily, play simple games, encourage crawling and standing, and name everyday objects. Offer safe furniture to pull up on and soft surfaces for practicing mobility.
13–18 Months: Early Toddler
What you might notice:
Walks independently (may still wobble at first)
Points to show what they want
Uses around 10–20 words by 18 months (though vocabulary can vary widely)
Follows simple one-step directions (“come here,” “give me the ball”)
Enjoys simple pretend play, such as feeding a doll or talking on a toy phone
Shows strong attachment to caregivers and may experience separation anxiety
How to support growth:
Name objects as your toddler points, read interactive board books, and encourage pretend play. Provide safe spaces for exploring and practicing walking on different surfaces.
19–24 Months: The Growing Explorer
What you might notice:
Walks, runs, climbs, and kicks a ball
Begins walking up and down stairs with support
Uses two-word combinations (“more milk,” “go outside”)
Understands and follows two-step directions
Plays alongside other children (parallel play)
Begins to show independence (“I do it!”)
How to support growth:
Give choices (“apple or banana?”), narrate daily routines, read together, and encourage physical play outdoors. Provide opportunities for your child to try things independently with safe supervision.
Supporting Your Child’s Development
The first two years of life are full of rapid change. The best ways to support development are simple:
Play every day. Play is learning!
Read often. Books build vocabulary and imagination.
Talk and sing. Narrate what you’re doing and encourage your child to imitate.
Encourage movement. Climbing, walking, and exploring strengthen both muscles and confidence.
When to Check In
Because every child grows at their own pace, it’s normal to see differences. If you’re concerned that your child is missing several milestones, losing skills they once had, or not engaging with others, it may be a good idea to seek support.
At The Autism Resource Center, we know that parenting can feel overwhelming when you’re uncertain about your child’s development. While milestones are only guidelines, our team can be a supportive resource if you have questions or need further evaluation.
Helpful Resources
Milestones are a helpful way to celebrate your child’s growth, but they are not set in stone. Every child’s journey is unique. If you ever feel uncertain or would like guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you and your family.
