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Cognitive Milestones

Milestones help you understand how your child learns and grows. Cognitive development is critical to a child’s growth. It describes how a child’s brain  develops, and includes skills such as thinking, learning, exploring and problem solving. It also affects other areas of a child’s development, including language and social skills.

View Milestones

Newborn Milestones

Newborn

  • Sees objects that are eight to 12 inches away from his/her face.
  • Is sensitive to sounds close by.
  • Startles to loud noises by arching back, kicking legs and flailing arms.
1 Month Milestones

1 Month

  • Watches objects and faces briefly and follows moving object with eyes.
  • Startles to loud noises by arching back, kicking legs and flailing arms.
2 Month Milestones

2 Months

  • Follows moving object, such as rattle or toy, with eyes.
  • Recognizes familiar people at a distance.
  • Cries or fusses if bored.
  • Startles to loud noises.
3 Month Milestones

3 Months

  • Recognizes breast or bottle.
  • Follows movement by turning head.
  • Startles at loud noises.
4 Month Milestones

4 Months

  • Watches moving objects, moves eyes from side to side to watch.
  • Communicates if happy or sad.
  • Watches faces and looks at your face while feeding.
  • Reaches for toys and brings toys to mouth.
6 Month Milestones

6 Months

  • Uses hands and mouth to explore the world.
  • Transfers objects from hand to hand.
  • Tries to get things that are out of reach.
  • Looks around at things.
9 Month Milestones

9 Months

  • Watches an object as it falls.
  • Looks for objects that he/she saw you hide.
  • Transfers things smoothly from hand to hand.
  • Plays "peek-a-boo."
  • Uses thumb and index finger to pick things up, such as cereal Os.
  • Turns pages in a book.
  • Puts things in mouth.
12 Month Milestones

12 Months

  • Puts objects in and out of containers.
  • Looks at the correct picture when it's named.
  • Bangs things together.
  • Begins to use common objects correctly (drinks from a cup, brushes hair).
  • Follows simple directions, such as “pick up your book.”
  • Explores things by banging, shaking or throwing.
  • Pokes with index finger.
  • Lets go of things without help.
18 Month Milestones

18 Months

  • Scribbles with crayon or pencil.
  • Points to at least one body part.
  • Follows one-step directions without any gestures (for example, sits when you say “sit”).
  • Knows what common objects are for, such as a phone, brush or spoon.
  • Points to get the attention of others.
  • Shows interest in a stuffed animal or doll, and plays pretend.
  • Enjoys books, stories and songs.
  • Turns pages of a book.
2 Year Milestones

2 Years

  • Builds a tower of four or more blocks.
  • Finds things even when hidden under two or more covers.
  • Explores how things work by touching them and trying them out.
  • Begins to sort shapes and colors.
  • Follows two-step directions such as, “pick up your truck and put it on the shelf.”
  • Plays simple pretend or make-believe games.
  • Names items in a book such as a dog, cat, car or baby.
  • Completes sentences and rhymes in familiar books.
3 Year Milestones

3 Years

  • Does puzzles with three or four pieces.
  • Draws or copies a circle with crayon or pencil.
  • Plays make-believe with dolls, animals and people.
  • Uses imagination to create stories or play.
  • Matches and sorts objects by shape and color.
  • Works toys with buttons, levers and moving parts (for example, makes mechanical toys work).
  • Knows what “two” means.
  • Turns pages one at a time.
  • Knows common colors.
  • Screws and unscrews jar lids, and turns door handles.
4 Year Milestones

4 Years

  • Copies simple shapes.
  • Understands the concepts of “same” and “different.”
  • Follows instructions with two or three steps.
  • Understands the concept of counting and may know numbers.
  • Draws a person with two to four body parts.
  • Begins to understand time.
  • Knows basic colors.
  • Uses scissors.
  • Copies letters.
  • Plays board games or card games.
  • Tells you what he thinks will happen next in a story.
5 Year Milestones

5 Years

  • Counts 10 or more objects.
  • Names at least four colors correctly.
  • Understands items used every day such as food or money.
  • Draws a person with at least six body parts.
  • Copies a triangle and other geometric shapes.
  • Understands the concept of time.
  • Prints some letters and numbers.
  • Recognizes own printed name and may be able to write name.
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If you have concerns about a child's development and think a child might need extra help to learn and grow, do not hesitate to refer a child.

The family will be contacted by the local school districts to arrange for a screening or evaluation to determine if their child is eligible for Infant and Toddler Intervention or Preschool Special Education services in Minnesota.

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phone icon You can also call 1-866-693-4769 to refer a Minnesota child.
Email mde.helpmegrow@state.mn.us