Your Baby’s First Year

A guide to development

All babies develop at their own rate, however this is a general guideline of development.
Please discuss any concerns with your therapist.

Newborn:
Gross Motor:
 Reflexes govern movement
 Has „gross‟ unrefined random movements
 Wiggles and kicks in all movements
 Moves head side to side – but side head position dominates
 Complete head lag in pull to sit
Fine Motor:
 Hands fisted, reflex grasp
 Drops toys immediately
Language:
 Cries
 Small throaty noises
Cognitive:
 Quiets down when picked up
 Distinguishes between tastes
 Distinguishes between voices, prefers high pitches
General:
 Sees best at 8 to 12 inches. Will attempt to track an object sideways and up and
down
 Sleeps about 14-18 hours a day, alert 3% of daylight hours
 Heart rate and breathing is twice as fast as an adult

One Month:
Gross Motor:
 Movement continues to be mainly reflexive
 Gross random movements of legs and arms
 On tummy: may be able to clear nose when turning, lifts head briefly
 Pull to sit: continues to have a head lag
Fine Motor:
 Hands fisted or slightly open
 Stares at toys, does not reach
 Will hold onto a rattle placed in the hand, but soon drops it
Language:
 Cries
 Begins throaty sounds
 Responds to voices
Cognitive:
 May recognize parent‟s voice
 May smile at a face or voice
General:
 Follows toy from side to centre of body
 Coordinates eyes sideways and up and down
 Responds positively to comfort and negatively to pain
 Alert one hour out of ten
Centre for Ability 2001 Written by Catherine Yoell BSc.PT
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Two Months:
Gross Motor:
 On tummy: can hold head at a 45° momentarily, keeps head in midline
 On back: cycles arms and legs smoothly, head starting to be more in midline
 Sitting: supported – holds head up but still bobs
 Repeats actions for their own sake
Fine Motor:
 Grasp is becoming voluntary
 Holding objects longer
 May swipe at objects
Communication:
 Cooing vowel-like sounds
 Interested in sounds
Cognitive:
 Starts to anticipate and react with excitement
 Visually prefers faces to objects
 Associates people with behaviors (i.e., mum = feeding)
 Can quiet self with sucking
 Smiles at familiar people
General:
 Stays awake longer with interaction, awake about 10 hours / day
 Can visually follow from outer corner of eye to past midline
 Focuses on objects at 7 – 8 inches, stares at large moving objects several feet away

Three Months:
Gross Motor:
 Switches from reflexive to voluntary control
 On back: holds head in midline. Moves leg and arm on the same side of the body at
the same time
 On tummy: holds head and chest up off the floor
 Sitting: starting to assist with sitting. Able to hold head up with minimal bobbing
Fine Motor:
 Hands are now predominantly open, may contact items with fists closed
 Beginning to swipe at objects
 Reaches for objects with both hands
 Retains objects in hand voluntarily
Communication:
 Coos vowel-like sounds ooh, ah, ae
 Makes other sounds such as whimpering, chuckling, squealing
 Has vocal-social response – vocalizes to make mum smile
 Listens to voices and distinguishes speech sounds
 Vocalizes when spoken to
Cognitive:
 Attentive up to 45 minutes at a time
 Begins to become aware of self – watches hands, feet etc
 May associate action with result
 Searches with eyes for a sound
General:
 Smiles spontaneously
 Pattern of sleeping, eating and alert more specific
 Can distinguish mother and acts differently around her
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Four Months:
Gross Motor:
 On back: able to keep head in midline. Able to turn head in all directions
 On tummy: able to lift head 90°. Rolls from side to side. May try to bring knees
under hips. May rock like an airplane with arms extended and back arched
 Sitting: Sits with hands on ground, back straight
 Standing: able to stand with hips in line with shoulders in supported standing
Fine Motor:
 Uses hands more agilely and for more purposes
 Swiping still inaccurate
 Fingers hands together
 Make take small objects between index and second fingers
Communication:
 Begins babbling, strings of syllable-like vocalizations
 Modulates the pitch of cooing and will coo for long periods of time
 Smiles, squeals and coos when talked to
 Will imitate sounds
Cognitive:
 Responsive for more than an hour at a time
 Has a memory span of approximately 5 to 7 seconds
 Discriminates, may prefer certain toys
 Interested in, and may smile at image in mirror
General:
 Vision approximately that of an adult, sees in color
 Attempts to soothe self

Five Months:
Gross Motor:
 On back: lifts head and shoulders up in anticipation of being picked up, starts
reaching for knees and toes
 On tummy: able to lift head and chest high off the mattress, able to airplane, with
legs extended and back arched. Pushes on to hands and pulls up knees. May roll to
back.
 Sitting: Sits supported for long periods of time. Helps with pull to sit
Fine Motor:
 Partial thumb opposition, but not well controlled
 Reaches for and grasps objects with one hand, reach is accurate
 Moves toy from one hand to the other
 Shakes rattle in either hand
Communication:
 Uses vowel sounds (ee, ah, ey, ah, ooh) and a few consonants (d, b, l, m)
 Watches mouths closely and tries to imitate
 Turns to speaker, understands name
Cognitive:
 Alert for 1.5 – 2 hours
 Anticipates whole object when seeing only part
 Hold one block and looks at second, drops first block to get second
 Make face in imitation
General:
 Shows different emotions: excitement, fear, anger, disgust etc
 Increase interest in solid foods, may start on cup
Centre for Ability 2001 Written by Catherine Yoell BSc.PT
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Six Months:
Gross Motor:
 On back: rolls from back to stomach, plays with toes, may put them in mouth
 On tummy: May get up on hands and knees and rock in this position. Starts
creeping – propelling self on tummy using arms and legs
 Sitting: Sits alone without support for a few moments – still needs pillows around in
case of falls
 Standing: When supported under the arms will stand with hips in line with shoulders,
may lift up one leg
Fine Motor:
 Holds bottle
 Rotates wrist – turns and manipulates objects in hand
 Reaches with one arm
Communication:
 Vowels are interspersed with more consonants (f, v, th, s, sh, sz, z, m, n)
 Varies volume, pitch and rate of utterances
 Reacts differently to different tones
 Vocalizes pleasure and displeasure
Cognitive:
 Alert for approximately 2 hours at a time, visually alert for about half the day
 Shows interest in novel objects, will examine them at length
 Holds one block and reaches for a second
General:
 Prefers to play with people, especially interactive games such as peek-a-boo
 Begins to show interest in finger feeding
 Has strong preferences in terms of foods

Seven Months:
Gross Motor:
 On back: tends to roll out of this position
 On tummy: on hands and knees, rocks in this position, may also start crawling. Able
to creep holding onto a toy.
 May be able to get self from tummy to sitting position
 Sitting: Able to play with hands in a sitting position. May also move around by bum-
scooting: sitting and moving forward using the arms and legs.
 Standing: Will bounce on both legs, may take steps in place and look at feet
Fine Motor:
 Thumb opposition is complete, able to grasp block with thumb and first finger
 Holds 1 object in each hand and may bang them together
 Transfers rattles from one hand to the other
Communication:
 Vowels and consonants appear spontaneously
 Tries to imitate sound sequences
 Has special well-defined syllables such as ma, mu, da,, mi
 Says several sounds in one breath
Cognitive:
 Attention more concentrated, interested in details
 Enjoys noise making toys – will shake them as well as mouth them
 May start imitating an act
 Starts to compare size differences of familiar objects such as blocks
 Starting to show humor, may tease
Centre for Ability 2001 Written by Catherine Yoell BSc.PT
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General:
 May fear strangers
 Holds and manipulates a cup or spoon in play

Eight Months:
Gross Motor:
 On tummy: creeps with a toy in one hand. May crawl in a 4-point (hands and knees)
position.
 Sitting: Sits alone and is able to change foot position
 Standing: Able to pull to stand at furniture, needs help to get down from standing.
Able to stand leaning against furniture
Fine Motor:
 Holds own bottle
 Uses a finger-thumb grasp
Communication:
 Understands a few single words in routine context
 Starting to have „joint attention‟ – looks at the same object that someone else is
looking at
 Imitates gestures
 Begins babbling using the same sound over and over
Cognitive:
 Preference for new and complex toys – explores their shape, texture, functions etc.
 Understands and remembers shape and color separately
General:
 Starts eating mashed table foods
 May shout to get attention

Nine Months:
Gross Motor:
 Stands without support briefly
 Gets in and out of the sitting position on own
Fine Motor:
 Separates index finger from other fingers and points with it
Communication:
 shakes head to mean „no‟
 begins to use communication to request and command
 Produces consonant combinations of more than 2 sounds
Cognitive:
 Begins to understand object permanence (that an object still exists after it has been
taken away)
 Anticipates the return of people, events and objects
 Imitates others play
 Demonstrates means-end behavior (i.e., crawls to get a toy)
General:
 Starts to have separation anxiety (gets upset when mum or dad leaves)
 Starts to use some toys appropriately

Centre for Ability 2001 Written by Catherine Yoell BSc.PT

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Ten Months:
Gross Motor:
 Sits down from standing with control
 Crawls well
 Stands at furniture
Fine Motor:
 Holds a cup and drinks from it
Communication:
 Uses sounds to call others
 Recognizes some familiar objects by name
 Obeys some commands
Cognitive:
 Uses a trial and error method of problem solving
 Recognizes that a picture can represent a person
General:
 Begins social and emotional interactions through other manners than crying

Eleven Months:
Gross Motor:
 Goes from all fours (bear position) to standing up
 Crawls up stairs
 Stands unsupported
 Cruises around furniture
Fine Motor:
 Feeds self with a spoon
Communication:
 begins babbling using different sounds – i.e., ba da da
 Laughs at own production of sound
 Attempts to label objects
 Recognizes own name
 Follows simple directions involving motor movements (i.e., „wave bye-bye‟)
Cognitive:
 Associates objects and their properties
 Increased imitation of others
General:
 Demonstrates fear and avoidance of strangers
 Wants approval but also anticipates parent‟s goals however may try to get their own
way through protest and persuasion

Twelve Months:
Gross Motor:
 Stands well alone
 Takes first steps with support – or between 2 people
 Climbs up and down stairs
Fine Motor:
 Good use of thumb
 Turns pages in a book – usually many at a time
 Can look in one direction and reach in another
 Picks up crumbs and other small objects with pincer grasp
 Starting to build 2 block tower
 May be able to scribble with a crayon using a palmar grasp
Centre for Ability 2001 Written by Catherine Yoell BSc.PT
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Communication:
 Attends to objects mentioned
 Says first words
 Says „mama‟ with meaning
 Imitates some tunes sung by adults
Cognitive:
 Appropriate use of common objects
General:
 Expresses joy, anxiety and immediate fear
 May have moods of anger and possibly temper tantrums

Eighteen Months (1½ years)

Walking:
 Walks without falling
 Runs stiffly and flat-footed
 Walks up stairs with one hand held placing both feet on each step
 Squats to pick up a toy and returns to upright without support
Climbing:
 Can climb onto the sofa
 Able to get into and out of a small chair independently
Ball skills:
 Throws a ball forward 1 metre using extensor thrust (straightening arm) with direction
intended.
 Walks into large ball to kick it
Jumping and Balance skills:
 Will try to place one foot in front of the other on a 5-cm wide line
 Attempts walking along 5 cm balance beam on the ground - one foot on the balance beam,
one off
Other:
 Pushes ride-on toy with feet – may go backward before forward

Twenty-four Months (2 years)

Walking:
 Walks up and down stairs holding on to the railing, 2 feet per step
 Runs without falling
 Able to start and stop in running
Ball skills:
 Kicks ball forward
 Throws ball in standing without falling
Jumping and Balance skills:
 Attempts jumping off the bottom step with one hand held. Leads with one foot
 Jumps with both feet off the ground, feet together
Other:
 Plays in a squat position – may transition to sitting fairly quickly

Centre for Ability 2001 Written by Catherine Yoell BSc.PT

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Thirty Months (2-½ years)
Walking:
 Can walk on tiptoes with hands on hips, when requested
 May start alternating feet (one foot per step) when walking upstairs
 Able to walk around a circle with fewer than 5 steps off the line
 Walks backward 3 metres when requested
Ball skills:
 Catches large ball with arms straight, trapping it against the body
 Throws a tennis ball 2.5 metres
Balance skills and jumping;
 Attempts standing on one foot – needs to hold on (may be able to maintain for 1 second)
 Can jump up and down with both feet together a few times in succession
 Tries jumping off of the bottom step but leads with one foot
 Takes 3 steps on a 5 cm balance beam without support
Other:
 „Rides‟ tricycle with feet on the ground – may go backward before forward

Thirty-six Months (3 years)

Walking Skills:
 Walks upstairs, alternating feet (one foot per step). Uses railing
 May start to alternate feet when going down stairs, though often continues to place both feet
on each step. Uses railing.
 Able to walk backwards in a straight line
Climbing:
 Climbs on easy playground apparatus
Ball Skills:
 Starts bending elbows when catching a ball
 Starts using shoulder and elbow when throwing a ball – doesn‟t lose balance when throwing
ball
 Kicks a ball 2 metres with direction intended
Balance and Jumping skills:
 Jumps over objects 5 cm off the ground
 Jumps off of a larger step, starting to land in an upright position, with feet together
 May try hopping on one foot, able to do with one hand held
 Can stand on one foot for 3 seconds
Other:
 Rides a tricycle placing feet on pedals. May not be able to steer

Forty-two Months (3-½ years)

Walking:
 Walks up stairs alternating without holding onto the railing
 Alternates down stairs more consistently, may still hold railing on bigger steps
 Runs around obstacles, and turns corners without falling
Climbing skills:
 Climbs up slide and slides down
Ball skills:
 Bends arms more consistently when catching
 Throw becomes more accurate
 Able to throw a ball overhand
 Able to bounce a ball at the wall or to a person
 Kick ball using knee flexion
Centre for Ability 2001 Written by Catherine Yoell BSc.PT
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Balance and Jumping Skills:
 Able to hop 3 times on one foot
 Able to take steps on tiptoes
 Jumps forward with feet together 60 – 75 cm
 Stands on one foot for 5 seconds – with hands on hips
Other:
 Rides tricycle including steering
 Learning to do a somersault

Forty-eight months (4 years)

Walking:
 Walks down stairs alternating
 Able to walk on tiptoes or heels when asked
 Able to walk along a line placing one foot right in front of the other
 Able to run and change directions smoothly
 Walks up and down stairs placing one foot on each step, often without railing

Climbing skills:
 Able to climb up a large slide and slide down independently
Ball skills:
 Kicks a large ball with accuracy
 Catches a large ball with two hands – has hands prepared to catch the ball
 Throws small ball with accuracy – uses shoulder rotation, a “follow through” movement
Balance and Jumping skills:
 Jumps high with feet together
 Starting to land with control when jumping down from higher objects (i.e., 2nd or 3rd step)
 Able to stand on tiptoes with hands over head for 2 seconds without moving feet, when
asked
 Stands on one foot for 6 seconds
 Able to hop on one foot 5 times
 Hops forward 15 cm without the other foot touching the ground
Other:
 Starting to „pump legs‟ on a swing. Usually able to get on the swing independently, may
need a „starter push‟

Fifty-four months (4-½ years)

Walking:
 Walks heel to toe along a balance beam
 Runs with reciprocal arm movements, smooth movement of weight-shift
Ball skills:
 Starting to bounce and catch a large ball
 Able to throw a ball overhand with accuracy
Balance and Jumping skills:
 Able to jump forward 10 times without falling
 Starting to jump backwards and sideways without falling
 Able to jump over an object on the floor
 Able to stand on one foot for approximately 7 seconds with minimal body sway
 Able to jump forward 40 cm on one foot without falling
Other:
 Starting to be able to do sit-ups (3 - 4 in 30 seconds)

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Sixty Months (5 years)
Walking:
 Able to walk forward heel to toe on a 10 cm balance beam
Ball skills:
 Bounces and catches a large ball
 Able to throw a small ball overhand into a target 4 metres away
 Starting to catch a small (tennis) ball in hands
 Able to use a hockey stick
Climbing skills:
 Able to use playground equipment
Balance and Jumping skills:
 Balances on one foot for 10 seconds
 Jumps backwards 6 times without falling
 Jumps off of the floor and claps hands before landing
 Broad jumps forwards 2 feet and lands with control
 Jumps and turns 180º with feet together and hands on hips
 Walks on balance beam with hands on hips with out losing balance
Other:
 Pedals tricycle quickly, including hills and corners
 May start riding a two-wheeled with training wheels
 Skips alternating feet, and integrating arm movements (harder for boys!)
 Able to somersault two times consecutively

Sixty-six months (5-½ years)

Walking skills:
 Able to walk 2 metres on tiptoes with hands on hips
Ball skills:
 Bounces tennis ball on the floor and catches it – may not be consistent
 Kicks a stationary ball so that it goes off the ground
 Able to kick a moving ball
Balance and Jumping skills:
 Jumps over hurdle 25 cm off the ground using a 2-foot take off and landing
 Able to hop 5 metres in 20 seconds without the other foot touching the ground
 Walks heel-toe on 10 cm balance beam with hands on hips
Other:
 Able to gallop with one foot in front of the other for 3 – 4 metres

Seventy-two months (6 years)

Walking skills:
 Able to walk 4 metres on tiptoes with hands on hips – minimal sway
Ball skills:
 Bounces tennis ball on the ground twice then catches it
 Kicks a stationary ball so that it travels 3 metres in the air
 Runs and kicks a moving ball
Balance and Jumping skills:
 Able to jump a 25 cm hurdle starting 15 cm away with both feet together
Other:
 Skips 3 metres alternating feet with body and arms co-ordinated
 Performs 6 to 8 sit-ups in 30 seconds, with feet held

Centre for Ability 2001 Written by Catherine Yoell BSc.PT

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