6 age groups
Cognitive Development Milestones
Track your baby's cognitive development from birth to 24 months. See what to expect at every age.
0-3 months3 milestones
- Follows things with eyes
- Recognizes familiar people at a distance
- Pays attention to faces
3-6 months6 milestones
- Reaches for toy with one hand
- Lets you know if happy or sad
- Puts things in mouth to explore
- Looks for hidden toys
- Recognizes own name
- Shows curiosity by staring at new objects
6-9 months4 milestones
- Watches path of falling objects
- Looks for things you hide (like a toy)
- Understands object permanence
- Explores cause and effect (drops things)
9-12 months5 milestones
- Puts things in container, takes out
- Finds things hidden under 2-3 covers
- Explores by banging/shaking/throwing
- Looks at correct picture when named
- Imitates new gestures and actions
12-18 months5 milestones
- Stacks 2+ small objects
- Uses things correctly (spoon, brush)
- Follows 1-step directions without gestures
- Points to things in book
- Engages in simple pretend play
18-24 months7 milestones
- Builds tower of 2-4 blocks
- Sorts shapes/colors
- Completes simple puzzles
- Follows 2-step directions
- Tries switches/knobs/buttons
- Uses objects in pretend play (banana as phone)
- Begins to understand mine vs yours
View all Milestones Guide
Milestone criteria based on CDC and AAP research — sourced from the CDC's Learn the Signs. Act Early. program, developed in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics. For informational purposes only; not endorsed by or affiliated with the CDC or AAP.
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Or save with the Dalo Family Bundle →Complete guide to baby cognitive milestones from birth to 24 months. Covers 6 age groups with specific milestones for each developmental stage.
