Free Developmental Milestones Checklist

Hopebridge Psychologist Shares Why Monitoring Milestones Matters

Beyond the cuddles and bedtime stories, one of the most rewarding parts of raising a child is watching them learn and grow. It feels like magic when your little one meets a new milestone, whether it’s a first giggle, flipping the page of a book, or taking those first steps.

At the same time, keeping track of what children “should” be doing at certain ages can be tricky. You might wonder: Does it count if my child catches the ball sometimes, but not every time? And how important are these skills anyway?

At Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers, we understand that following your child’s development can bring joy—but maybe a bit of stress, too. To make this part of parenting easier, we created free milestone checklists – one featuring baby milestones up to 24 months, and one for toddlers and preschoolers.

In this post, Hopebridge Regional Director of Psychological Services Ruth Bernstein, PhD, HSPP, explains why tracking your child’s development matters and how to get the most out of using these checklists.

Why Use a Child Development Checklist?

As a caregiver, it’s not always clear which behaviors are typical, and which may need closer attention. On top of that, remembering which milestones happen when can be overwhelming.

Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC recommend physician surveillance during every well visit, which also includes developmental screenings for children at 9, 18, and 24 or 30 months of age. At Hopebridge, we encourage families to observe and take notes in between these screenings, too. Doing so can prepare you for more productive conversations at checkups and help you catch any delays that require support.

“The amount of development within a child’s first five years is substantial. Their brains are developing at an incredibly rapid rate,” said Dr. Bernstein. “This also means that if there’s a hurdle, children will respond much better if intervention occurs within those first five years.”

Tracking milestones empowers families to spot potential concerns during this key developmental window, rather than finding out down the road. Early identification and early intervention is important because research shows children are less likely to close developmental gaps after age 6.**

“The ‘wait-and-see’ approach isn’t the most beneficial. It’s better to know what’s going on early so you’re able to intervene if your child needs it. There is no harm in receiving extra support. It gives your child a foundation to build upon, which can only be a good thing,” said Dr. Bernstein.

Tips for Using the Developmental Milestones Checklist

When using this checklist, remember that it is a guide, not a strict rulebook. While it outlines when most children meet certain skills, each child develops at their own pace. Some strengths may show up early, while others may require more time.

Here are Dr. Bernstein’s tips for using the checklist effectively:

1. Keep the developmental checklist handy.
   Print a few copies to place in spots you frequent, like the fridge, your child’s play area or your car. This way, it’s easy to jot down new observations as they happen.

2. Use the notes section.
   Simply checking off a box doesn’t tell the full story. Add context—when, how and in what situations does a skill show up (or not)? For example, if your child uses utensils sometimes, are they doing so randomly or is there a pattern, like certain foods but not others? These details help clinicians understand if it’s a matter of preference or ability.

3. Update it as your child grows.
   Development is a process. If your 14-month-old child has taken a few steps but isn’t steadily walking without support yet, that’s ok. Keep tracking and adding notes over time as your child gets closer to mastering new skills.

4. Bring it to doctor visits.
   This tool isn’t just for peace of mind; it’s a valuable resource for your child’s healthcare team. Appointments can be fast paced, so having the checklist on hand ensures you won’t forget to bring up important observations.

5. Act early if you’re concerned.
   While well visits are a good time for milestone discussions, don’t wait if something worries you. If you notice delays or concerning behaviors, reach out to your pediatrician sooner than later. Early conversations lead to earlier support.

What to Do If a Milestone is Missed

If your child does not hit a certain milestone by the expected age, don’t panic! Take notes and plan to talk about it with the physician.

Some challenges are part of natural growth. Others may be indicators of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a developmental delay, or a medical condition. There are many reasons why a child might not meet their milestones.

For instance, motor challenges might stem from muscle development, or they could relate to vision issues. And though a speech delay does not automatically mean autism, it’s worth exploring their communication and support opportunities.

Our milestone checklist won’t diagnose your child, but it can guide you toward the right conversations with professionals who can help. Your pediatrician, with the added context from your notes, can work with you to determine next steps.

And remember, if you’re not getting the answers you need, it’s ok to seek a second opinion or ask for a referral.

If you think your child could benefit from autism testing or other services like applied behavior analysis (ABA), speech therapy or occupational therapy, please complete the brief contact form on our website.

References

**Ramey CT, Ramey SL. Early intervention and early experience. Am Psychol. 1998 Feb;53(2):109-20. doi: 10.1037//0003-066x.53.2.109. PMID: 9491742.

*Informed consent was obtained from the participants in this article. This information should not be captured and reused without express permission from Hopebridge, LLC.