BIRTH-2 WEEKS

• Responds to sound by startling, blinking, crying, quieting, changes in breathing

• Looks at faces and briefly follows with eyes

• Responds to parents face and voice

• Flexed posture (ex: hands in fists)

• Cries when uncomfortable

2 MONTHS

• Coos and vocalizes

• Crying differentiates

• Shows pleasure

• On stomach, lifts head 45°, lifts chest off table

• Hands open more

• Recognizes parents

• Drools

4 MONTHS

• Babbles, coos

• Smiles, laughs, squeals

• On stomach, holds head up 90° raises chest off bed {see note*}

• Controls head well, almost no head lag

• Rolls over, or to side

• Holds own hands

• Grasps rattle

• Reaches for objects out of reach/overshoots

• Recognizes parent's voice and touch

• Locates sound source left or right

• Sociable

• Fusses for attention

• Bears weight on legs when held in standing position

• Chewing motions begin

(* Note: Encourage a certain amount of "tummy time", when baby is awake and observed.)

6 MONTHS

• Mimics sound

• Vocalizes to mirror, one syllable sounds (Ma, da, uh)

• Chews and bites

• May hold own bottle

• Lifts chest & abdomen off flat surface, bearing weight on hands

• Rolls well both ways

• Sits with support

• No head lag when pulled to sit

• Stands when placed

• Picks up dropped object

• Arms held out to be picked up

• Fear of strangers

• Laughs with simple game (Peek-a-boo)

• Pulls feet to mouth

9 MONTHS

• Babbles

• Repetitive syllables (Ma-ma-ma)

• Responds to own name

• Understands a few words

• Pokes with finger

• Bangs, throws, and drops objects

• Releases object voluntarily

• Plays Peek-a-boo or Pat-a-cake

• Feeds self with fingers

• May show stranger anxiety

• Pulls to stand

• Crawls, perhaps backwards at first

• Pincer grasp

• Transfers object hand to hand

12 MONTHS

• Says 2-4 Words in addition to Mama/Dada

• Recognizes objects by name

• Imitates animal sounds

• Cruises well

• Walks with help

• Sits from standing

• Drinks from cup

• Clumsily uses spoon

• Neat pincer grasp

• Turns several pages of book at a time

• Waves bye-bye

• Looks for object or hidden object

• Responds to simple commands

• Explores

• May have security object

• Clings to parents in unfamiliar situations