Age

Milestones

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​6 months
  • Knows familiar faces and begins to know if someone is a stranger
  • Likes to play with others, especially parents
  • Responds to other people's emotions and often seems happy
  • Likes to look at self in mirror

​9 months
  • May be afraid of strangers
  • May be clingy with familiar adults
  • Has favorite adults 

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1 year
  • Is shy or nervous with strangers
  • Cries when caregiver leaves
  • Has favorite things and people
  • Shows fear in some situations
  • Hands you a book when they want to read a story
  • Repeats sounds or actions
  • Puts out arm or leg to help with dressing
  • Plays games such as "peek-aboo" and "pat-a-cake" 



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​18 months
  • Likes to hand things to others as play
  • May have temper tantrums
  • May be afraid of strangers
  • Shows affection to familiar people
  • Plays simple pretend, such as feeding a doll
  • May cling to caregivers in new situations
  • Points to show others something interesting
  • Explores alone but with parent close by 



​2 years
  • Copies others, especially adults and other children
  • Gets excited when with other children
  • Shows more and more independence
  • Shows defiant behavior (doing what they have been told not to do)
  • Plays mainly beside other children, but is beginning to include other children, such as in chase games
“CDC's Developmental Milestones.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 22 Jan. 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html.