Early Help Makes a Difference!

 

Here's what you can expect your child to be doing from birth to age three. If you have concerns about your baby's development, call your local Early Intervention Program.

 

• Calms down when spoken to or picked up 
• Looks at your face 
• Smiles when you talk to or smile at them 
• Makes sounds other than crying 
• Reacts to loud sounds 
• Watches you as you move 
• Looks at a toy for several seconds 
• Holds head up when on tummy 
• Moves both arms and both legs 
• Opens and closes hands

 

Milestones at Age 4 months

• Chuckles (not yet a full laugh) when you try to make them laugh 
• Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention 
• Makes sounds like "oooo" and "aahh" (cooing) 
• Turns head towards the sound of your voice 
• Makes squealing noises 
• If hungry, opens mouth when they see breast or bottle 
• Looks at their hands with interest 
• Rolls over from stomach to back 
• Holds head steady without support when you are holding them 
• Holds a toy when you put it in their hand

 

Milestones at Age 6 months

• Knows familiar people 
• Likes to look at self in a mirror 
• Turns toward the source of normal sound 
• Blows "raspberries" (sticks tongue out and blows) 
• Copies sounds you make 
• Bangs small objects on a surface 
• Reaches to grab a toy they want 
• Closes lips to show they do not want more food 
• Rolls over from back to stomach 
• Sits up briefly without support 
• Picks up small objects with whole hand 
• Passes a toy from one hand to the other

 

Milestones at Age 9 months

• Shows several facial expressions, like happy, sad, angry, and surprised 
• Reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries) 
• Looks when you call their name 
• Looks around when hearing things like, "Where is your blanket?" 
• Makes different sounds like "mamamama" and "bababababa" 
• Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like their spoon or toy) 
• Plays Peek-a-Boo and Pat-a-cake 
• Crawls on hands and knees 
• Sits without support 
• Transitions between sitting and standing 
• Let's go of objects intentionally 
• Uses fingers to "rake" food toward themselves

 

Milestones at Age 12 months

• Understands "no" (pauses briefly or stops when you say it) 
• Waves bye-bye 
• Follows directions with gestures, such as motioning and saying, "Give me (object)" 
• Calls a parent "mama" or "dada" or another special name 
• Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup 
• Looks for things they see you hide, like a toy under a blanket 
• Stands without support 
• Walks, holds onto furniture (cruising) 
• Picks up food and eats it 
• Picks up small objects with pointer finger and thumb

 

Milestones at Age 15 months

• Copies other children while playing, like taking toys out of a container when another child does 
• Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes 
• Shows you affection (hugs, cuddles, or kisses you) 
• Points to ask for something or to get help 
• Uses 3 words other than names 
• Tries to use things the right way, like a phone, cup, or book 
• Looks around when you say things like, "Where's your ball?" or "Where's your blanket?" 
• Crawls up stairs 
• Squats to pick up objects 
• Uses fingers to feed themself some food

 

Milestones at Age 18 months

• Moves away from you, but looks to make sure you are close by 
• Points to show you something interesting 
• Helps you dress them, by pushing arm through sleeve or lifting their foot up 
• Can identify 2 body parts 
• Names at least 5 familiar objects 
• Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom 
• Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car 
• Can throw a small ball while standing 
• Walks up steps with 2 feet per step with their hand held 
• Walks backwards 
• Tries to use a spoon 
• Scribbles 
• Follows one-step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say "Give it to me"

 

Milestones at Age 24 months

• 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 
• Plays alongside other children 
• Says at least two words together, like "More milk." 
• 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 (combines toys in play) 
• Runs 
• Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help 
• Kicks a ball 
• Eats with a spoon

 

Milestones at Age 30 months

• Uses things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll as if it were food 
• Takes off some clothes by themself, like loose pants or an open jacket 
• Names things in a book when you point and ask, "What is this?" 
• Says two or more words together, with one action word, like "Doggie run" 
• Shows they know at least one color, like pointing to a red crayon when you ask, "Which one is red?" 
• 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." 
• Runs well without falling 
• Walks up steps using one foot, then the other 
• Uses hands to twist things, like turning doorknobs or unscrewing lids 
• Eats food with a fork 
• Grasps a crayon with thumb and fingers instead of fist 
• Says about 50 words

 

If your child is having trouble doing some of these things, talking with someone may help put your mind at ease. Early support can make a big difference.