Milestones

Able to bring hands to mouth

Able to move fists from closed to open

Begins to jump with both feet leaving the ground

Claps hands

Climbs on low furniture

Goes up and down stairs with support

In simple play imitates others

Kicks large ball

Maintains balance in sitting when throwing objects

Moves from tummy or back into sitting

Moves in and out of various positions to explore environment and get desired toys

Moves legs and arms off of surface when excited

Picks up head and pushes through elbows during Tummy Time

Picks up small objects with thumbs and fingers

Pulls to stand and cruises along furniture

Reaches for toys while on tummy

Releases objects into a container with a large opening

Rolls from back to tummy and tummy to back

Runs

Shows more control while rolling and sitting

Sits and reaches for toys without falling

Sits without support

Squats to pick up a toy

Stacks two objects or blocks

Stands alone and takes several independent steps

Stands on tiptoes

Starts to move with alternate leg and arm movement e.g. creeping, crawling

Turns head to visually track objects while sitting

Uses hands to support self while sitting

Uses thumb and pointer finger to pick up tiny objects

Walks independently and seldom falls

When walking, able to pull toys behind them

While lying on back, reaches both hands to play with feet

While lying on back, transfers toy from hand to the other

While lying on tummy, lifts and holds head up

While lying on tummy, pushes up on arms

While standing with support, accepts entire weight with legs

Able to calm with rocking, touching, and gentle sounds (at 0-3 months)

Able to calm with rocking, touching, and gentle sounds (at 4-6 months)

Brings hands and objects to mouth

Crawls to or away from objects baby sees in the distance

Eats an increasing variety of foods

Enjoys a variety of movements (at 0-3 months)

Enjoys a variety of movements (at 4-6 months)

Enjoys a variety of movements – bouncing up and down, rocking back and forth

Enjoys listening to songs

Experiments with the amount of force needed to pick up different objects

Explores and examines an object using both hands and mouth

Explores toys with fingers and mouth

Flips switches on and off

Focuses on objects near and far

Generally happy when not hungry or tired

Has a regular sleep schedule

Helps with getting dressed/undressed

Investigates shapes, sizes, and textures of toys and surroundings

Is not upset by everyday sounds

Observes environment from a variety of positions – while lying on back or tummy, sitting, crawling, and standing with assistance

Sorts shapes and colors

Stacks 5 or more small blocks or toys on top of each other

Takes toys apart and puts them back together

Turns several pages of a chunky (board) book at once

Uses both hands to explore toys

Uses crayons, pens, or markers to make marks on paper

While lying on back, attempts to reach for a toy held above their chest

While lying on back, keeps head centered to watch faces or toys

While lying on back, visually tracks a moving toy from side to side

Ask “what” and “where” questions

At least 50% of speech is understood by caregiver

Babbling has sounds and rhythms of speech

Begins to use 2 word phrases

Begins to use consonant sounds in babbling, e.g. “da, da, da”

Begins using hand movements to communicate wants and needs, e.g. reaches to be picked up

Can identify 1-2 body parts when named

Combines sounds and gestures

Consistently follows simple directions

Consistently imitates new words

Consistently uses 2-3 word phrases

Continues to produce speech-like babbling

Coos and smiles

Cries differently for different needs (e.g. hungry vs. tired)

Enjoys listening to stories

Follow 2-step unrelated directions, e.g. “give me the ball and go get your coat”

Follows 2-step related directions, e.g. “Pick up your coat and bring it to me.”

Follows some routine commands when paired with gestures

Identifies 3-5 body parts when named

Imitates simple words and actions

Imitates sounds

Imitates speech sounds

Listens and responds when spoken to

Looks at familiar objects and people when named

Makes different kinds of sounds to express feelings

Makes eye contact

May use 5-10 words

Meaningfully uses “mama” or “dada”

Most speech is understood by caregiver

Names objects and pictures

Notices toys that make sounds

Participates in two-way communication

Pays attention to where you are looking and pointing

Points at familiar objects and people in pictures

Produces long strings of gibberish (jargoning) in social communication

Quiets or smiles in response to sound or voice

Reacts to sudden noises or sounds

Recognizes sound of their name

Repeats words overheard in conversation

Responds to “no”

Responds to questions

Responds to simple directions, e.g. “Come here”

Responds to yes/no questions with head shake/nod

Says one or two words

Shows interest in faces

Shows interest in pictures

Shows recognition of commonly used words

Simple understanding of concepts including color, space, time

Turns head towards sound or voice

Understands 50 words

Understands action words

Understands basic nouns and pronouns

Understands “in” and “on”

Understands “mine” and “yours”

Understands most simple sentences

Understands new words quickly

Understands simple pronouns (me, you, my)

Understands “why” questions

Uses at least 50 words

Uses babbling to get attention

Uses gestures and words during pretend play

Uses “in” and “on”

Uses increased variety of sounds and syllable combinations in babbling

Uses plurals, e.g. “dogs”

Uses simple gestures, e.g. shaking head for “no”

Uses simple pronouns (me, you, my)

Begins to eat cereals and pureed foods

Begins to eat thicker pureed and mashed table foods

Begins to use an open cup

Drinks 2 oz. to 6 oz. of liquid per feeding, 6 times per day

Eating an increasing variety of food

Enjoys a greater variety of smells and tastes

Enjoys teethers that can massage sore and swollen gums during teething

Finger feeds self

Holds and drinks from a cup

In a high chair, holds and drinks from a bottle

Increases variety of coarsely chopped table foods

Latches onto nipple or bottle

Might be ready to start self feeding with utensils

Moves pureed food from front of mouth to back

Opens mouth as spoon approaches

Ready to try soft-cooked vegetables, soft fruits, and finger foods (banana slices, cooked pasta)

Shows interest in food

Shows strong reaction to new smells and tastes

Starts to look and reach for objects, such as food, that is nearby

Stays full longer after eating

Sucks and swallows well during feeding

Tongue moves forward and back to suck