The UC Davis MIND Institute and Department of Pediatrics are regional and national leaders in developmental and behavioral pediatrics, child psychology, child psychiatry and genomic medicine. Our highly trained physicians and therapists help children overcome challenges at all stages of development.

We provide comprehensive outpatient mental health services to children of all ages. In our Child and Adolescent Psychiatry division, we offer evaluations for developmental concerns, family and individual therapy and medication management.

Our providers conduct research and clinical trials aimed at improving children’s mental health and quality of life. These efforts help your child benefit from the latest advances in the care of neurodevelopmental disabilities and behavioral health conditions.

Cognitive milestones involve how your child learns, thinks and solves problems. For example, cognitive milestones track their ability to solve problems, follow directions and sort objects.

Motor skills refer to your child’s ability to use their muscles to move and perform tasks. Fine motor skills refer to your child’s ability to use their hands and fingers to perform tasks. Examples of these milestones include transferring objects between hands, writing their name, using scissors and tying shoelaces.

Gross motor skills refer to your child’s ability to use their bigger muscles. Examples of gross motor milestones include learning to crawl, walk, run and jump.

Language milestones track your child’s ability to speak and communicate. Examples include saying their first words, following simple directions and speaking in sentences.

These kinds of milestones involve how your child interacts with others, understands their own feelings and follows routines. Examples include smiling in response to others and playing with other children.

By 2 months old, most babies can smile at you, hold their head up during tummy time and make cooing sounds.

By 4 months old, most babies are starting to laugh, notice their hands and bring their hands to their mouth.

By 6 months old, most infants can recognize familiar faces, laugh and make sounds in response to yours. They can also roll over.

By 9 months old, most babies know their name, make many different sounds, understand objects exist when hidden out of sight (object permanence) and can sit without help.

By their first birthday, most babies can play interactive games like pat-a-cake and wave “hi” or “bye.” They can also pull themselves up to stand and pick up small objects using their thumb and pointer finger.

By 15 months old, most toddlers can show affection with hugs and kisses, say “mama” and “dada” and have taken their first steps.

Eighteen-month milestones include being able to say more than three words (in addition to “mama” and “dada”), walk independently and feed themselves using their fingers.

Most 2-year-olds can notice others’ emotions, independently eat with a spoon and run.

By 30 months old, most toddlers can help clean up their toys when asked, say about 50 words, play pretend games and jump with two feet.

Most 3-year-olds can play with other children, speak clear enough for others to understand them and use a fork.

By 4 years old, most children can change their behavior based on the situation, identify some colors and catch a large ball.

Most 5-year-olds can follow rules when playing games, hold a conversation, rhyme, count to 10 and hop on one foot.