DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES

Age Stages Physical Cognitive Social & Emotional

Development Development Development

Reflexive movements Begins to respond to Cries to communicate

(e.g., rooting, sucking, sounds and stimuli (e.g., needs (hunger,
Month 1 Moro reflex, grasp turning head toward discomfort, etc.).
reflex). noise).
(0-1 month) Begins to bond with
Lifts head briefly while Limited visual tracking of caregivers, making eye
lying on stomach. objects. contact.

Eyes may focus on

objects 8-12 inches away.
Lifts head up during Begins to show interest in Starts to smile at familiar
tummy time and may hold faces. faces (social smiling).
Month 2 it steady for a few
moments. May start focusing on Begins to recognize
objects a little longer. familiar voices and
(1-2 months)
Starts to move arms and caregivers.
legs with more control.
Holds head steady when Begins to track objects Smiles more frequently
sitting supported. with eyes in all directions. and may coo or make
Month 3 sounds.
Pushes chest off the Starts to engage more
ground while lying on with the environment by Shows interest in playing
(2-3 months)
stomach (supports upper looking around. with others and may
body with arms). mimic facial expressions.

Can lift head, chest, and Begins to show awareness May start to laugh aloud.
upper body while lying on of surroundings and may
Month 4 stomach. respond to bright colors or Responds to familiar
patterns. voices with excitement or
Beginning to roll over calm.
(3-4 months)
from tummy to back. Increased focus on objects
at varying distances. Shows increasing interest
Reaches for objects and in social interaction and
may start grasping with may coo or babble.
both hands.
Rolls over in both Shows interest in toys and Responds to familiar
directions (front to back may attempt to people with smiles and
Month 5 and back to front). manipulate them. excitement.

Starts to sit with support. Understands the concept May begin to babble or
(4-5 months)
of cause and effect (e.g., make extended vowel
May begin to reach and shaking a rattle to make sounds.
grab objects with more noise).
accuracy. Shows curiosity about the
world, looking at different
objects.
 Month 6 Sits with minimal Begins to develop hand- Begins to express joy and
support, may briefly sit eye coordination (e.g., frustration with more
(5-6 months) independently. picking up and holding a vocalizations.
toy).
Rolls over in both Recognizes familiar faces
directions, may start to More focused on and may express
scoot or move in a exploring objects by preference for primary
crawling motion. shaking, banging, or caregivers.
mouthing them.
Reaches for and grabs May show distress when
objects using both hands. separated from caregivers.

Sits up without support. Begins to demonstrate May show anxiety or fear

understanding of "object around unfamiliar people
Month 7 May begin to crawl or use permanence" (e.g., (stranger anxiety).
a rocking motion in looking for hidden
preparation for crawling. objects). Shows recognition of
(6-7 months)
family members.
Transfers objects from Starts to visually explore
one hand to the other. surroundings and reacts to
familiar faces or objects.
Crawls on hands and Continues to explore Reacts to familiar people
knees, or may scoot on objects and toys, with enthusiasm and
Month 8 belly. sometimes trying to use affection.
them in a more intentional
Can sit unsupported for way (e.g., banging, May display distress
(7-8 months)
longer periods. stacking). when separated from
caregivers.
Reaches for and grasps Understands more about
small objects with cause and effect (e.g., Can communicate
increasing accuracy. when a toy makes a noise, frustration or joy through
they continue to engage sounds, facial
with it). expressions, and gestures.
May begin pulling up to a Understands simple Shows increasing
standing position with instructions ("come here" attachment to caregivers
assistance. or "no"). and may resist separation
Month 9 (separation anxiety).
Crawling becomes more More proficient in
(8-9 months) coordinated and problem-solving, such as Begins to imitate simple
purposeful. figuring out how to reach actions, such as waving or
a toy by moving clapping.
Fine motor skills obstacles.
improve, including pincer
grasp (thumb and index
finger).
Pulls to a standing Develops stronger object Responds to name and
position without permanence—may search familiar words.
Month 10 assistance. for hidden objects and
anticipate their Shows increased
Cruises along furniture or reappearance. preference for familiar
(9-10 months)
may take steps while people and may express
holding onto something. Explores the environment anxiety or clinginess with
more actively and may strangers.
 Fine motor skills allow manipulate objects in new Enjoys playing interactive
for more precise handling ways. games like peek-a-boo.
of objects.
May begin walking with Can understand and Social interactions
support (e.g., holding follow simple become more engaging,
hands or walking along instructions, like “give me with baby babbling and
furniture). the toy.” trying to communicate
more.
Month 11
Fine motor skills allow Continues to experiment
for better manipulation of with cause and effect and Shows clear attachment to
(10-11 months)
toys or objects. is more curious about how primary caregivers and
things work. may begin to show signs
of independence.

May take a few steps May say simple words May show clear
independently. like "mama" or "dada" preferences for certain
(babbling starts to people, toys, or activities.
Stands alone briefly and resemble more words).
Month 12 may squat and stand back Begins to display a range
up without assistance. Begins to engage in of emotions, such as joy,
symbolic play (e.g., fear, and frustration.
(11-12 months)
Refines hand movements, pretending a block is a
using a pincer grasp to car). Communicates wants and
pick up small objects. needs using gestures,
More sophisticated vocalizations, or simple
understanding of object words.
permanence.