Milestones

Milestones are scientifically supported behavioral or physical checkpoints seen in infants and children as they grow and develop. All of our developmental milestones are validated by American Academy of Pediatrics findings.

Abilities

Abilities are additional skills your child should be developing. When reviewing abilities, look at your child’s overall behavior to gauge their progress.

It’s Important to Remember:

Be sure to adjust for prematurity.

If your child is missing milestones, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider.

Missing one or two abilities should not cause alarm, as every child develops differently. However, if they are missing multiple abilities, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider.

Use our checklists to track your baby’s behavior and discuss any concerns with your healthcare professional.

Learn about Early Detection & Early Intervention

Make Sure Your Baby Has Met Prev. Milestones

Motor

Milestone

Key Milestones

  • Pulls to stand and cruises along furniture
  • Stands alone and takes several independent steps
  • Moves in and out of various positions to explore environment and get desired toys
  • Maintains balance in sitting when throwing objects
  • Claps hands
  • Releases objects into a container with a large opening
  • Uses thumb and pointer finger to pick up tiny objects
Act early by talking to your healthcare provider if your child:
    • Difficulty getting to stand because of stiff legs and pointed toes
    • Only uses arms to pull up to standing
    • Sits with weight to one side
    • Strongly flexed or stiffly extended arms
    • Needs to use hands to maintain sitting position
    • Poor head control in upright position

10-12 Month Baby - Motor Milestones to Look For

The 10-12 months motor milestones video shows parents and caregivers examples of motor milestones baby should reach by 12 months old.

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Sensory

Milestone

Key Milestones

  • Enjoys listening to songs
  • Explores toys with hands, fingers, and mouth
  • Crawls to or away from objects baby sees in the distance
Act early by talking to your healthcare provider if your child:
    • Becomes fussy in response to movement
    • Extreme reactions to touch or when exposed to new textures

10-12 Month Baby- Sensory Milestones to Look For

The 10-12 months sensory milestones video shows parents and caregivers examples of sensory milestones baby should reach by 12 months old.

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Communication

Milestone

Key Milestones

  • Meaningfully uses “mama” or “dada”
  • Responds to simple directions, e.g. “Come here”
  • Produces long strings of gibberish (jargoning) in social communication
  • Says one or two words
  • Imitates speech sounds
  • Babbling has sounds and rhythms of speech
  • Pays attention to where you are looking and pointing
  • Responds to “no”
  • Begins using hand movements to communicate wants and needs, e.g. reaches to be picked up
Act early by talking to your healthcare provider if your child:
    • Does not turn when someone calls their name
    • Shows no recognition of familiar words, such as “mama” “dada” “doggy”

10 to 12 Month Baby- Communication Milestones to Look For

The 10-12 months communication milestones video shows parents and caregivers examples of communication milestones baby should reach by 12 months old.

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Feeding

Milestone

Key Milestones

  • Finger feeds self
  • Eating an increasing variety of food
  • Begins to use an open cup
  • Ready to try soft-cooked vegetables, soft fruits, and finger foods e.g. banana slices, cooked pasta
  • Might be ready to start self feeding with utensils
  • Enjoys a greater variety of smells and tastes
Baby may begin learning how to use utensils during mealtimes and can start using an open cup at this age. Spills are expected and it will take practice.
Act early by talking to your healthcare provider if your child:
    • Does not use fingertips to pick up small objects of food
    • Baby rejects solid foods, preferring only milk

10 to 12 Month Baby- Feeding Milestones to Look For

The 10-12 months feeding milestones video shows parents and caregivers examples of feeding milestones baby should reach by 12 months old.

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Play and Social Skills

Ability

Key Abilities

  • Is interested in interacting with others, e.g. peek a boo
  • Maintains eye contact with people during playful interactions
  • Raises hands to be picked up
  • Turns head in response to name being called
  • Points to objects of interest by 12 months
  • Enjoys playing with toys of varied textures
  • Enjoys playing and banging musical toys
  • Enjoys various types of movement, such as being gently swung in the air by parents
  • Frequently explores the environment when placed on floor
  • Enjoys moving to get a desirable toy

Coordination

Ability

Key Abilities

  • Moves in and out of various positions (e.g. crawling, climbing, cruising, and walking) to explore environment and get desired toys
  • Keeps head forward when being pulled to sitting from lying on back
  • Is able to pull self to stand
  • Is able to hold head upright while crawling by 11 months
  • Primarily crawls or walks to get desired objects
  • Puts weight through hands or feet when moving in and out of positions and while supported in standing
  • Is able to sit unsupported and turn head to look at objects without losing balance
  • Is able to throw balls and maintain balance
  • Uses both hands equally to play and explore toys
  • Is able to clap hands
  • Enjoys and seeks out various ways to move and play

Daily Activities

Ability

Key Abilities

  • Usually enjoys bath time
  • Is able to self calm in car rides when not tired or hungry
  • Is usually able to tolerate diaper changing without crying
  • Is not fearful of tipping head back when moving from sitting to lying on back
  • Is able to use fingertips to pick up small objects, such as small pieces of food
  • Is eating an increasing variety of food
  • Can usually participate in dressing without becoming upset
  • Has an established sleep schedule
  • Is usually able to calm self to fall asleep

Self-Expression

Ability

Key Abilities

  • Is comforted by cuddling and a parent’s touch
  • Has grown accustomed to everyday sounds and is usually not startled by them
  • Is generally happy when not hungry or tired
  • Is able to calm with experiences such as, rocking, touch, and calm sounds
  • Is able to enjoy a wide variety of touch, noise, and smells
  • Cries and notices when hurt
  • Is able to self-soothe when upset
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