Each age range covers typical development across four areas: social & emotional, motor skills, language & communication, and when to speak to your health visitor.
Smiles in response to a face or voice; makes eye contact; startles to loud sounds.
Lifts head briefly when on tummy; grasps a finger; brings hands to face.
Coos and makes soft sounds; cries differently for hunger vs. discomfort.
If not making eye contact, not smiling by 3 months, or not reacting to loud sounds.
Recognises familiar faces; laughs and squeals with delight; responds to their name.
Rolls front to back (and back to front); sits with support; reaches for objects.
Babbles (ba-ba, da-da); turns toward sounds; blows raspberries.
No babbling, not reaching for objects, or not bearing weight on legs when supported.
Shows stranger anxiety; enjoys peek-a-boo; starts to understand "no".
Sits unsupported; crawls or shuffles; pulls to standing.
Uses gestures (waves bye-bye); says "mama"/"dada" non-specifically; copies sounds.
Not sitting without support by 9 months, or significant loss of skills previously gained.
Follows simple instructions; shows objects to caregivers; gives and takes objects.
Cruises along furniture; may take first steps; picks up small items with thumb and finger.
Says first meaningful words (e.g. "bye", "up"); points to things of interest.
Not using any gestures (pointing, waving), or not saying single words by 12 months.
Plays alongside other children; shows strong attachment to main carer; helps with dressing.
Walks independently; stacks 2–3 blocks; scribbles with crayons.
Vocabulary grows to ~10–20 words; points to body parts when asked.
Not walking by 18 months, fewer than 5 words, or no pointing.
Begins parallel play; shows empathy; has increased independence but still needs reassurance.
Runs (may still fall); kicks a ball; turns pages of a book; uses a spoon.
Starts combining two words ("more milk"); vocabulary of 50+ words by 2 years.
Fewer than 50 words by 2 years, not combining words, or regression of skills.
Plays with others; understands "mine" and "yours"; has frequent emotional outbursts (normal).
Climbs stairs with both feet on each step; jumps; draws circles.
Speaks in short sentences; strangers can understand most speech by age 3.
Speech very difficult to understand; not using sentences; significant behaviour concerns.
Takes turns in play; engages in imaginative and role play; develops friendships.
Hops on one foot; catches a ball; uses scissors with supervision; draws simple figures.
Tells stories; asks many questions; knows colours and some numbers.
Cannot be understood by strangers, has difficulty with simple instructions, or is very isolated socially.
Co-operative play; understands rules of games; can show and manage emotions better.
Skips; buttons clothes; draws a person with at least 4 body parts.
Speaks clearly; counts to 10+; knows alphabet letters; begins to read simple words.
Persistent difficulty with speech/language, social interaction, or fine motor tasks.
Forms close friendships; navigates complex social rules; understands fairness.
Rides a bicycle; writes letters and numbers; uses cutlery confidently.
Reads simple books; writes short sentences; tells detailed stories.
Significant difficulties with reading, writing, social relationships, or attention that affect daily life.