CDC's Developmental Milestones App

CDC’s Developmental Milestones are a set of key skills in playing, learning, speaking, acting, and moving that most children can do by a certain age, covering birth to 5 years.  The guidelines were significantly updated in February 2022 for the first time since 2004, shifting the benchmark from the average age (50%) to the age by which 75% of children are expected to achieve a milestone to encourage earlier identification of delays.

The updated checklists include new milestones for 15-month and 30-month ages and adjust several existing benchmarks, such as moving the expectation for walking alone from 12 months to 15 months and the vocabulary of 50 words from 24 months to 30 months.  These milestones are intended as communication tools for parents and providers, not as diagnostic or screening tools; if a child is missing a milestone, it should prompt a conversation with a healthcare provider for formal screening.

Key resources for tracking development include the free CDC Milestone Tracker app (iOS and Android), which provides illustrated checklists and videos, and the Milestones in Action photo and video library.  Parents can also access printed or digital checklists in multiple languages through the Learn the Signs.  Act Early. program website.

Visit: CDC's Developmental Milestones | Learn the Signs. Act Early. | CDC