Developmental Milestones

0 to 3 months old:

Motor

• When the baby is on its tummy, can hold her head up and push up on arms.
• Can make smoother movements with arms and legs.
• Can open and close fists.
• Bring fists to its mouth.

Sensory

• While lying on back, can follow a moving object from side to side and attempt to reach out for a toy placed near its chest.
• Becomes calm with soothing sound or rocking movement.
• Actively enjoys playtime like bouncing on knees, etc.

Communication

• Turns head towards the sound or your voice.
• Can recognize you from across the room and shows interest in people’s faces.
• Makes eye contact.
• Begins to smile or quite down.
• Starts to babble and mimic the sounds you make.

Feeding

• Turns head toward nipple or bottle.
• Sucks and swallows well during feeding.

4 to 6 months old:

Motor

• Can sit without your help and uses hands to support while sitting.
• Rolls to tummy and back again.
• Reaches out for nearby toys and objects with a raking grasp.
• Uses both hands to explore toys.
• While standing with your help, uses legs to accept entire weight.

Sensory

• Generally happy when not hungry or tired.
• Gets delighted while watching self in a mirror.
• Enjoys a variety of movements.
• Becomes calm with soothing sound or rocking movement.

Communication

• Makes different kinds of sounds to attract attention and express feelings.
• Is more sensitive to your tone of voice.
• Fears loud or unexpected noise.
• Begins to prattle with consonant sounds.

Feeding

• Shows interest in food.
• Begins to eat pureed or partially solid foods.
• Opens mouth when spoon is taken towards it.

7 to 9 months old:

Motor

• Sits on its own and reaches for toys with faltering.
• Starts to crawl and pull to a stand with support.
• Uses thumbs and fingers to pick up small objects.
• Shows more control while rolling, crawling or scooting.

Sensory

• Focuses on objects near and far.
• Investigates shapes, sizes and texture of objects.
• Places things inside containers and take them out again.
• Explores and examines objects with both hands.

Communication

• Recognizes sound of their name.
• Participates in a conversation.
• Distinguishes between familiar and unfamiliar sounds.
• Uses variety of sounds and syllables in babbling.
• Tries saying its first words.
• Follows routine commands when paired with gestures.

Feeding

• Holds and drinks from a bottle.
• Begins transition from milk or formula to infant food.
• Begins to eat junior and mashed food.
• Enjoys chew-toys to massage gums during teething.
• Shows reaction to new smells and tastes.

10 to 12 months old:

Motor:

• Pulls up to stand and takes support of furniture or such to walk.
• Tries to stand alone and take a few independent steps.
• Can sit without support and turn head in directions without losing balance.
• Uses thumbs and fingers to pick up small objects or food.
• Maintains balance while throwing objects or toys.

Sensory:

• Explores and examines objects with both hands.
• Moves closer or away from sounds or objects that are a distance.

Communication:

• Can address parents in one’s dialect.
• Responds to simple commands.
• Pays attention to where and what you are pointing at.
• Tries to hold conversation, though with lot of gibberish.

Feeding:

• Is developing more teeth.
• Starts to finger-feed or spoon-feed self.
• Starts with soft-cooked fruits and vegetables.
• Starts to use a wide mouth cup for liquids.

13 to 18 months old

Motor:

• Starts to walk independently.
• Stacks multiple objects or toys.
• Stands and squats without losing balance.

Sensory

• Has a regular sleep schedule.
• Has an unquenchable appetite to explore and experience objects and surroundings.

Communication:

• Understands more than 50 words.
• Consistently responds and reacts to simple commands.
• Combines sound and gestures.
• Responds to yes/no questions by nodding.
• Shows interest in still or moving pictures.
• Can point at familiar objects or people.

Feeding

• Holds and drinks from a cup.
• Increase in variety of coarsely chopped food.

19 to 24 months old:

Motor

• Will become confident on his/her feet.
• Performs tasks like going up and down stairs, run, kick a ball, mount furniture, etc.
• Performs hand-coordinated tasks like coloring, throwing a ball, emptying and filling containers, etc. This phase might project the first signs of whether the baby is left-handed or right-handed.
• Prefers to do the daily tasks by self, like feeding self with a spoon or cup, dress/undress, wash hands, etc.

Sensory

• Becomes more anxious when away from parents/caregivers.
• Eager to play with other children.

Communication

• Language skills grow by leaps and bounds; like saying multiple coherent words, forming small sentences, picks up new words from books, etc.
• Enjoys listening to stories.

Feeding

• Will start to consume variety of foods and liquids.

25 to 36 months old:

• Can walk up and down stairs, run without the fear of balance, jump, ride a tricycle.
• Motor skills improve tremendously like opening and closing doors, can manipulate moving parts of toys, etc.
• Can draw and color, solve simple game puzzles, etc.
• Vocabulary increases drastically with usage of more than 100 words, consistently uses multiple-words phrases, speech is clear and can be understood by adults, understands basic nouns and pronouns, asks multiple questions, etc.
• Starts to develop friendships and tends to share among other kids.