Below are a few reference tools to help you know when a concern for your child’s development may be warranted.  Please note that all children develop at their own pace.  Your child may have skills scattered throughout different age levels.  These lists are not meant to be used as diagnostic tools.  They are meant to reference ages at which most typically developing children gain these skills.

Milestone Moments is a helpful resource from the Centers for Disease Control’s Child Development page.  Click on the links below for more information.
Milestone Moments English
Milestone Moments Spanish

The following was compiled by the Early-In Special Education Preschool team as a more concise list of general developmental skills by age level.
If you do not see a skill that you are concerned about, refer to the Milestone Moments above for a broader comparison.

1 – 2 years

Imitates behavior of others
Enjoys being near other children
Demonstrates increasing independence
Shows some defiant behavior
Begins make-believe play
Begins to sort by shape/color
Points to objects/pictures when named
Points to body parts
Says several single words (by 15-18 mo)
Uses simple phrases (by 18-24 mo)
Imitate words others say
Walks alone
Climbs onto & down from furniture
Walks up & down stairs holding on
Scribbles
Builds a tower of 4 or more blocks

2 – 3 years

Jump in place, two feet together
Stand on one foot, unaided
Kickball forward
Throw ball
Snip with scissors
Hold the crayon with your thumb and finger
Imitate vertical, horizontal & circular strokes on paper
Match shapes
Can tell how many -1 or 2
Roll, pound, squeeze clay material
Follow simple directions.
Play near other children
Identify objects by their use
Imitate words heard
Communicate using short phrases
Assist with dressing/undressing

3 – 4 years

Balance on one foot 5 seconds
Pedal a tricycle
Throw a ball with direction & catch the ball
Copy a circle, imitate a cross on paper
Scribble, holding crayon correctly
Match/sort objects by color & shape
Rote count to 5/count objects to 3
Knows own name and age
Knows phrases of songs
Listen to a short story (5 minutes)
Share toys, take turns
Pretend to play with dolls and people
Stay on the activity of choice for 5 minutes
Follow 2-step commands
Communicate in 3-4 word sentence
Use pronouns (I, you, me) and plurals
Use toilet independently

4 – 5 years

Hop on one foot
Run and change direction without stopping
Draw a person with four body parts
Dress/undress/use toilet by self
Knows right from left
Uses scribbles & some letters to write
May copy some letters and shapes
Can identify own name in print
Count 10 or more objects
Able to copy/extend a simple pattern
Name at least four colors correctly
Stay on the activity of choice for 10 minutes
Say your name and address
Verbalize your own feelings
Carry on a conversation on one topic
Knows the function of money
Wants to please friends/be like them