Service Coordination in New York City

Sources: Center for Disease Control (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-3yr.html

If a child shows signs of delay in any area, our early intervention services in New York City can provide valuable support to address developmental concerns as early as possible. Identifying and supporting these milestones early on makes a significant difference in long-term outcomes.

2 Months Old

Social/Emotional Milestone

• Calms down when spoken to or picked up 
• Looks at your face

Language/Communication Milestones

• Makes sounds other than crying 
• Reacts to loud sounds

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Watches you as you move 
• Looks at a toy for several seconds

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Holds head up when on tummy 
• Moves both arms and both legs 
• Opens hands briefly 

Four Months

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Smiles on his own to get your attention 
• Chuckles (not yet a full laugh) when you try to make him laugh. 
• Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention.

Language/Communication Milestones

• Makes sounds like “oooo”, “aahh” (cooing) 
• Makes sounds back when you talk to him .
• Turns head towards the sound of your voice .

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• If hungry, opens mouth when he sees breast or bottle.
• Looks at her hands with interest .

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Holds head steady without support when you are holding him 
• Holds a toy when you put it in his hand 
• Uses his arm to swing at toys 
• Brings hands to mouth 
• Pushes up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy

Six Months

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Knows familiar people
• Likes to look at self in a mirror
• Laughs 

Language/Communication Milestones

• Takes turns making sounds with you 
• Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows) 
• Makes squealing noises 

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Puts things in her mouth to explore them
• Reaches to grab a toy she wants
• Closes lips to show she doesn’t want more food 

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Rolls from tummy to back 
• Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
• Leans on hands to support herself when sitting

Nine Months

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers 
• Shows several facial expressions, like happy, sad, angry, and surprised
• Looks when you call her name 
• Reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries) 
• Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo

Language/Communication Milestones

• Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa” 
• Lifts arms up to be picked up

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like his spoon or toy) 
• Bangs two things together 

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Gets to a sitting position independently
• Moves things from one hand to her other hand
• Uses fingers to “rake” food during eating
• Sits without support

One Year (1 Year)

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake 

Language/Communication Milestones

• Waves “bye-bye” 
• Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name 

Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup 
• Looks for things he sees you hide, like a toy under a blanket 

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Pulls up to stand
• Walks, holding on to furniture 
• Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it 
• Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food

15 Months old

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Copies other children while playing, like taking toys out of a container when another child does
• Shows you an favorable object
• Claps when excited 
• Hugs stuffed doll or other toy
• Shows you affection (hugs, cuddles, or kisses you)

Language/Communication Milestones

• Tries to say one or two words besides “mama” or “dada,” like “ba” for ball or “da” for dog 
• Looks at a familiar object when you name it 
• Follow directions given with both a gesture and words. For example, he gives you a toy when you hold out your hand and say, “Give me the toy.” 
• Points to ask for something or to get help 

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Tries to use things the right way, like a phone, cup, or book
• Stacks at least two small objects, like blocks 

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Takes a few steps on his own
• Uses fingers to feed herself some food

18 Months Old

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Moves away from you, but looks to make sure you are close by 
• Points to show you something interesting
• Puts hands out for you to wash them
• Looks at a few pages in a book with you
• Helps you dress him by pushing arm through sleeve or lifting up foot 

Language/Communication Milestones

• Tries to say three or more words besides “mama” or “dada” 
• Follows one-step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, “Give it to me.” 

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom 
• Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Walks without holding on to anyone or anything 
• Scribbles
• Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes
• Feeds himself with his fingers
• Tries to use a spoon
• Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help

2 Years old

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Notices when others are hurt or upset, like pausing or looking sad when someone is crying
• Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation 

Language/Communication Milestones

• Points to things in a book when you ask, like “Where is the bear?”  
• Says at least two words together, like “More milk.”  
• Points to at least two body parts when you ask him to show you  
• Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes  

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Holds something in one hand while using the other hand; for example, holding a container and taking the lid off 
• Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons on a toy
• Plays with more than one toy at the same time, like putting toy food on a toy plate

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Kicks a ball
• Runs 
• Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help
• Eats with a spoon

30 Month Old

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Plays next to other children and sometimes plays with them 
• Shows you what she can do by saying, “Look at me!” 
• Follows simple routines when told, like helping to pick up toys when you say, “It’s clean-up time.” 

Language/Communication Milestones

• Says about 50 words 
• Says two or more words together, with one action word, like “Doggie run” 
• Names things in a book when you point and ask, “What is this?” 
• Says words like “I,” “me,” or “we” 

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Uses things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll as if it were food 
• Shows simple problem-solving skills, like standing on a small stool to reach something 
• Follows two-step instructions like “Put the toy down and close the door.” 
• Shows he knows at least one color, like pointing to a red crayon when you ask, “Which one is red?” 

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Uses hands to twist things, like turning doorknobs or unscrewing lids
• Takes some clothes off by himself, like loose pants or an open jacket
• Jumps off the ground with both feet /li>
• Turns book pages, one at a time, when you read to her

3 Years Old

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Calms down within 10 minutes after you leave her, like at a childcare drop off 
• Notices other children and joins them to play 

Language/Communication Milestones

• Talks with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges 
• Asks “who,” “what,” “where,” or “why” questions, like “Where is mommy/daddy?” 
• Says what action is happening in a picture or book when asked, like “running,” “eating,” or “playing” 
• Says first name, when asked 
• Talks well enough for others to understand, most of the time 

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Draws a circle, when you show him how 
• Avoids touching hot objects, like a stove, when you warn her 

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Strings items together, like large beads or macaroni
• Puts on some clothes by himself, like loose pants or a jacket
• Uses a fork