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WHAT
TO EXPECT AS YOUR BABY DEVELOPS
Children are different from
one another and learn at their own pace. Most babies have the
following skills at the ages indicated. If your baby was premature,
the skills may develop a little later. Some babies develop the
skills before the ages indicated.
Click on the appropriate
age to find out what to expect as your child develops:
| Newborns |
- Moves eyes to follow sounds
or objects moving in front of his face
- Eats every few hours and sucks
on fingers or pacifier in between feedings
- May be startled by loud noises
and enjoys gentle music
- May cry and be fussy but enjoys
cuddling, listening to you talk, read, and sing
- Develops trust in you if picked
up whenever he cries; cannot be spoiled under 6 months
of age
- Starts to learn about the
world
|
| 1-2
Months |
- Waves, kicks, and squirms
when lying on back
- Lifts head up when on stomach
- Turns to you and smiles when
sees or hears you
- Smiles, gurgles, and makes
other sounds
- Sucks on thumb or pacifier
to calm self and learn about world
- Has real tears
- Senses parents’ moods
|
| 3-4
Months |
- Holds head up without bobbing
it around
- Reaches for and grasps small
toys or hair
- Recognizes parent’s
voice and other sounds heard often
- Smiles at parents and other
family members
- Coos and babbles, says “oo”,
“ah”, and other vowel sounds
- Rests on forearms while on
stomach
|
| 5-6
Months |
- Picks up head and chest when
on stomach
- Rolls over front-to-back and
back-to-front
- Reaches for nearby toys
- Brings hands together
- Squeals when happy; repeats
vowel sounds
- Teeth start to come in
- May sleep through the night
|
| 7-9
Months |
- Sits without help
- Feeds self with fingers and
sips from cup
- Tries to imitate sounds of
people talking
- Looks for dropped items
- Moves toys from one hand to
other
- Stands for about 5 seconds
while holding on to something
- Gets upset when you leave
- May be stubborn and possessive
of toys
|
| 10-12
Months |
- Sits with no support
- Plays pat-a-cake or other
clapping games
- Looks for hidden objects
- Pulls self to standing position
and may walk holding on to furniture
- Uses forefinger and thumb
to grasp objects
- Repeats sounds over and over;
may say a few words
- Begins to understand easy
directions and gestures
- Shows fear of new people
|
| 13-15
Months |
- Lets you know what he wants
without crying by pointing, reaching or using words
- Points to familiar pictures
that you name
- Stands and learns to walk
- Waves bye-bye
- Says Mama or Dada when she
sees you
- Turns and looks when called
by name
- Use voice all the time and
knows the meaning of some words
- Drops small things in a container
- Stoops or squats to pick something
up
- No concept of sharing
|
| 16-18
Months |
- Walks alone
- Can help around the house
- Drinks from cup or glass alone
- Can practice pouring and squeezing
in the bathtub
- Says “No” while
shaking head from side to side
- Rolls ball back and forth
with you
- Says at least 3 words besides
Mama and Dada
- Scribbles on paper with crayon
or pencil
|
| 18
Months-2 Years |
- Uses fork or spoon for eating
- Undresses self and attempts
to dress self
- Pretends to do things like
feeding a doll
- Runs
- Makes a tower of 4 blocks
- Names some objects and pictures
in a book
- Uses at least 6 words; may
say phrases and simple sentences
- Walks up stairs
- Points to some body parts
when you name them
- Kicks a ball forward
- Plays alongside others or
alone
|
| 2
½ Years |
- Runs
and jumps
- Says his name
- Puts on some clothes correctly
- Names things in a picture
- Understands simple directions
- Builds towers of 6 blocks
- Asks questions
- Uses at least two-word phrases
- Eats adult food
- May ask to go to toilet
- May be affectionate, inflexible,
frustrated and possessive
|
| 3
Years |
- Talks in three or four word
sentences, not always understandable
- Recites a few nursery rhymes
and/or songs
- Puts easy puzzles together
- Brushes teeth with help
- Throws a ball overhand
- Walks up steps, alternating
feet
- Rides tricycle
- Pours from pitcher
- Marches
- Enjoys some group activities
- More easy-going and secure
- May have imaginary playmates
- May have achieved complete
bladder control
|
| 4
Years |
- Dresses self with some help
- Names his friends
- Washes and dries face and
hands
- Appetite fluctuates
- Asks many questions
- Learning colors
- Enjoys playing cooperatively
with other children
- Draws simple objects
- Stands on one foot
- Takes care of own toileting
needs and likes privacy
- Seeks adult approval and attention
- Can be demanding and likes
to test limits
- May be afraid of the dark,
monsters, or other things
|
| 5
Years |
- Dresses self without help
- Plays well with other children;
may have special friends
- Hand dominance established
- Good control of writing tools;
prints shapes and some letters
- Counts to 10 (at least) and
knows colors
- Reads own name
- Follows directions well; likes
to follow rules and have some responsibilities
- Eager to learn new things;
boastful
- Begins to lose baby teeth
- Beginning to learn difference
between fact and fiction (real and pretend)
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