Iowa Area Education Agencies have teams of dedicated professionals specialized in early childhood development who can help parents determine if their children are meeting age-appropriate milestones and growth objectives.
While each child grows at his or her own pace, listed below are some milestones typically met at the corresponding age:
6 months
- reaches out for a toy or cracker and brings it to mouth
- raises chest off the floor
- babbles and squeals
- rolls over
12 months
- says “mama” and “dada”
- walks with help or alone
- finger feeds self
- drinks from a cup with help
18 months
- has become a “climber”
- has a vocabulary of 6-10 words
- likes to hear a short story
- scribbles on paper using a crayon
2 years
- uses 2-word sentences
- imitates parents doing routine chores
- walks up and down stairs
- can identify body parts by pointing to them
3 years
- dresses self
- follows simple directions
- rides a pedal toy
- draws a circle
4 years
- can place objects in a line from largest to smallest
- counts one to seven objects out loud, but not always in the correct order
- continues one activity for 10 to 15 minutes
- may add “ed” to words, like “I goed to...”
5 years
- knows basic colors
- able to memorize address and phone number
- understands that books are read from left to right, top to bottom
- draws pictures that represent animals, people and objects
Learn more about Early Childhood Services available for your child.
