MONTH 1 Make jerky, quivering arm movements Bring hands near face Keep hands in tight fists Move head from side to side while lying on stomach Focus on objects 8 to 12 inches away Prefer human faces over other shapes Prefer black-and-white or high-contrast patterns Hear very well Recognize some sounds, including parents’ voices | MONTH 2 Make sounds such as gurgling and cooing Follow objects Hold their head up for short periods May smile and laugh responsively Prefer more colors and shapes Start to move more smoothly and become more coordinated | MONTH 3 Raise head and chest when lying on stomach Support upper body with arms on stomach Stretch legs out and kick when lying on stomach or back Push down on legs when feet on firm surface Open and shut hands Bring hands to mouth Grab and shake hand toys Follow moving object with eyes Watch faces closely Recognize objects/people at a distance Start using hands and eyes in coordination Begin to babble, may imitate some sounds Smile at the sound of parents’ voices Enjoy playing with other people and may cry when playing stops |
MONTH 4 Hold head up steadily Can bear weight on legs Coo when you talk to him and may imitate sounds Enjoy doing mini push-ups Can grasp a toy and may try putting it in his mouth Reach out for objects May roll over although that may not happen until next month Are easily distracted Can distinguish color shades and may prefer bright colors | MONTH 5 Can distinguish between bold colors Can roll over May sit momentarily on their own Enjoy playing with hands and feet Enjoy repeating sounds and mastering new skills May turn towards new sounds May recognize their own name May be afraid of strangers Are building a wider range of expressions e.g. laughing | MONTH 6 Have improved coordination May start moving objects from one hand to the other Turn towards sounds and voices Imitate sounds and still enjoys repeating sounds Roll over both ways (stomach to back and back to stomach) May sit without support Enjoy you reading aloud May be ready to eat solids |
MONTH 7 Sit without support Reach for object with hand Transfer objects from one hand to the other Support whole weight on legs when held upright Develop full-color vision and mature distance vision Use voice to express joy and displeasure Respond to own name Continue to babble chains of consonants (ba-ba-ba-ba) Distinguish emotions by tone of voice Explore objects with hands and mouth Struggle to get objects that are out of reach Enjoy playing peek-a-boo Show an interest in mirror images | MONTH 8 Can better express their emotions Say “dada” and “mama” to both parents Begin to crawl, although some babies are already experts Transfer objects from one hand to the other May stand while holding on to something Point at objects May be afraid of strangers and feel separation anxiety | MONTH 9 Combine syllables into word-like sounds Understand tones versus actual words Stand while holding on to something Explore objects in many ways (shaking, banging, throwing, dropping) May use pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger) to pick up objects May walk holding onto furniture, Are more mobile so childproofing your home is necessary now |
MONTH 10 Use simple gestures, such as shaking head “no” and waving bye-bye Use pincer grasp to pick things up Sit without assistance Crawl well Walk holding onto furniture (cruise) Say “dada” and “mama” Respond to their name and understand “no” | MONTH 11 Say “dada” and “mama” to the right parent Stand alone for a few seconds Show more of their personality and opinions May be more anxious about certain sights and sounds Understand simple words, phrases and instructions Become more independent as their skills grow Try to climb stairs to be careful and fit a safety gate if possible | MONTH 12 Sit without assistance Get into hands-and-knees position + crawl Pull self up to stand Walk holding onto furniture, and possibly a few steps without support Use pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger) Say “dada”/“mama” and “oh-oh!” Try to imitate words Respond to “no” and simple verbal requests Use simple gestures, such as shaking head “no” and waving bye-bye Explore objects in many ways (shaking, banging, throwing, dropping) Begin to use objects correctly (drinking from cup, brushing hair) Find hidden objects easily Look at correct picture when image is named |