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5 Year Online Milestone Checklist

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How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves offers important clues about your child’s development. Developmental milestones are things most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age. Check the milestones your child has reached by the end of 5 years by completing the checklist below. Share it with your child’s doctor, teacher, and other providers, and be sure to talk about the milestones your child has reached and what to expect next.

Checking children’s development regularly is important. CDC’s free Milestone Tracker app is also available to complete the checklists, with reminders and helpful tips on the go!  Available on the AppStoreexternal icon and GooglePlayexternal icon.

Your Child at 5 Years

Milestones matter! Check the milestones your child has reached by age 5 by completing the checklist below.

*These fields are required.


CDC does not collect or share any personal information that can be used to identify you or your child.

What Most Babies Do by this Age:

Social/Emotional

Follows rules or takes turns when playing games with other children




Sings, dances, or acts for you




Does simple chores at home, like matching socks or clearing the table after eating




Language/Communication

Tells a story she heard or made up with at least two events. For example, a cat was stuck in a tree and a firefighter saved it




Answers simple questions about a book or story after you read or tell it to him




Keeps a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges




Uses or recognizes simple rhymes (bat-cat, ball-tall)




Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Counts to 10




Names some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them




Uses words about time, like “yesterday,” “tomorrow,” “morning,” or “night”




Pays attention for 5 to 10 minutes during activities. For example, during story time or making arts and crafts (screen time does not count)




Writes some letters in her name




Names some letters when you point to them




Movement/Physical Development

Buttons some buttons




Hops on one foot




Selected “not sure”? Watch for these milestones over the next week or two. Try some things with your child that gives him/her the chance to show the milestone. If you’re still not seeing the milestone, see the steps below.

Selected “not yet” or have other concerns or questions about your child’s development? Talk with your child’s doctor, teacher and/or another trusted provider. Share the checklist and any questions or concerns you might have. Ask about developmental screening. It’s recommended for all children. If you, the doctor, teacher, or other provider is still concerned after screening, ask to be connected with (1) a specialist who can learn more about your child AND (2) with services and other supports that may help. Visit www.cdc.gov/Concerned for more information.


– Share the checklist with your child’s healthcare provider, early educator, WIC Clinic, or other care providers by FORWARDING the email you receive.
– Be sure to add your child’s name and birthdate (if needed) when forwarding the checklist so your provider can identify it as your child’s.