Physical Development Milestones – Infants and Toddlers
2 Months
- Holds head up when on tummy
- Makes smoother movements with arms and legs
- Relaxes hands from fists for short periods
- Grasps adult finger
- Kicks legs and wave arms while on back
- Primitive reflexes present, including the rooting and sucking reflex
4 Months
- Holds head steady without support
- Brings hands to midline when laying on back
- Holds and shakes toys; swings at dangling toys
- Brings hands to mouth
- Pushes up on elbows when lying on tummy
6 Months
- Rolls from tummy to back & may begin rolling from back to tummy
- Pushes arms straight when on tummy
- Begins to sit with support
- Supports weight on legs when standing with support
- Holds a toy in both hands at once
9 Months
- Sits without support
- Moves into sitting position without support
- Transfers items from one hand to another
- Stands, holding on to adult or furniture for support
- Squats to pick up a toy while holding onto furniture.
- Picks up a toy using fingertips and thumb (pincer grasp)
12Months
- Pulls up to stand and walks along furniture for support (“cruising”)
- May take a few steps without support of an adult or furniture
- May stand alone
- Throws a ball with forward arm motion
- Drinks from a cup without a lid with adult support
Language Development Milestones – Infants and Toddlers
0-3 Months
- Smiling
- Turning their head toward different sounds
- Seeming to recognize your voice
4-6 Months
- Laughing
- Using their voice to express happiness or displeasure
- Babbling and gurgling, even when alone
- Apparent mimicking of sounds they hear
7-10 Months
- Understanding basic words like “no” and “bye-bye”
- Using a wider range of consonants and vowels
- Copying gestures and sounds
- Making sounds like “bababa” “mamama”
10-12 Months
- Responding to simple requests like “stop”
- Following simple instructions like “come here”
- Saying a few words, like “mama,” “dada,”
- Recognizing simple words for objects
- Immediately imitating sounds
Emotional Development Milestones
Infants and Toddlers
Month 1
- Makes eye contact
- Cries for help
- Responds to parents’ smiles and voices
Month 2
- Begins to develop a social smile
- Enjoys playing with other people and may cry when play stops
- Prefers looking at people rather than objects
- Studies face
- Gurgles and coos in response to sounds around him/her
- First begins to express anger
Month 3
- Starts a “conversation” by smiling at you and gurgling to get your attention
- Smiles back when you smile at him. The big smile
- involves his whole body – hands open wide, arms lift up, legs move
- Can imitate some movements and facial expressions
Month 4
- Is intrigued by children. Will turn toward children’s voices in person or on TV
Month 5
- Becomes increasingly assertive
- Can differentiate between family members (parents and siblings) and strangers
- Likes to play during meals
Month 6
- May quickly tire of a toy but will never tire of your attention
- Temperament becomes increasingly apparent. You’ll see whether he/she tends to be easy-going or easily upset; gentle or active
- Recognizes his/her own name
- Coos for pleasure and cries with displeasure
- Can make noises like grunts and squeals, clicks his tongue
Month 7
- Starts to understand the meaning of “no”
Enjoys social interaction - Expresses anger more strongly
- Tries to mimic adult sounds
Month 8
- Can differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar
- May become shy or anxious with strangers
- Cries in frustration when he can’t reach a toy or do something he wants to do
Month 9
- Imitates gestures that other people make
Looks at correct picture when an image is named - Smiles and kisses own image in the mirror
- Likes to play near parent (i.e., in kitchen while Mom is cooking)
- May be more sensitive to the presence of other children
Month 10
- Separation anxiety may begin
- Self-esteem begins to develop
- Responds to positive recognition such as clapping
- Becomes cautious of heights
- Shows moods such as sad, happy, and angry
Month 11
- Tries to gain approval and avoid disapproval
- Can be uncooperative
Month 12
- May have temper tantrums
- Can fluctuate between being cooperative and uncooperative
- Shows a developing sense of Humor
- May cling to parents or one parent in particular
