Physical Development

• Barely lifts head to clear surface
• Keeps hands tightly fisted

Speech Development

• Coos and makes grunting sounds
• Babbles

Social Development

2 months

Physical Development

• Lifts head while lying on stomach
• Has smooth motions
• Relaxes fist, unfolds fingers
• Waves hands and kicks feet when on back

Speech Development

• Coos and gurgles increasingly, espexially when talked to
• Cries differently for different needs

Social Development

• Begins to smile, show excitement and distress
• Turns to familiar voices
• Quiets when held
• Enjoys being tickled
• Maintains brief eye contact while being fed
• May suck thumb or finger to quiet self

4 months

Physical Development

• Can see across the room
• Sits erect when supported
• Rolls over from tummy to back
• Reaches for toys
• Holds objects
• Reaches for feet and bring them to mouth
• Turns head to localized sounds
• Follows people with eyes

Speech Development

• Laughs squels, and babbles
• Coos and gurgles with joy
• Says "ooh" and "ahh"

Social Development

• Loves to play with own feet
• Sees colors rahter than black and white
• Fusses when wanting to be picked up and held
• Can tell the difference in family members
• Reaches out hands and arms to play
• Smiles

7 months

Physical Development

• Sits up by self for a short time
• Holds toys and feeds self pieces of food
• Standswhen held, takes some of the weights on own legs
• Reaches for objects, transfers them from hand to hand
• Begins teething, which may disturb sleep

Speech Development

• Combines vowel sounds
• Imitates sounds
• Responds to "no" and own name
• Uses body language to initiate interaction

Social Development

• Plays alone
• Plays longer with people and toys
• Enjoys other children
• Grows more responsive to sound
• Withdraws from strangers, clings to familiar caregivers

10 months

Physical Development

• Crawls using different crawling styles
• Crawls over objects
• May stand leaning against an object
• Picks up small objects with thumb and fingers

Speech Development

• Says "no", "bye-bye", "dada", and mama"
• Uses voice to get attention

Social Development

• Is becoming more independent - may be more interested in playing alone than being held
• Imitates hand and facial gestures
• Crawls around to look for parents
• Crawls to you when name is called
• Likes to play sound games
• Waves "bye-bye"
• Understand simple directions

12 months

Physical Development

• Begins to change from a crawl to a tottering walk with legs wide apart
• Feeds self finger foods
• May begin to use a spoon
• Squats

Speech Development

• Uses "Dada" and "Mama" to refer to specific persons
• May have a vocabulary of 3 to 10 "real" words
• Adds gestures to own body language

Social Development

• Loves an audience
• Scribbles with crayons
• Has more variety in play
• Exhibits stronger likes and dislikes
• Flirts with and kisses self in mirror
• Plays with dolls and stuffed animals
• Points to objects in books and identifies them
• Understands simple words and phrases like "Come to Daddy."

15 months

Physical Development

• Stands and walks alone
• Uses a spoon to feed self
• Picks up things from a walking position

Speech Development

• Uses simple words and phrases
• Says some words spoken by parents

Social Development

• Likes to listen to music and dance to rhythms
• Says "no" and refuses food
• Is more aware of surroundings
• Is growing more independent
• Is very active

Physical Development

• Runs stiffly
• Uses whole arms when playing ball
• Feeds self, eats with a spoon, tries a fork
• Takes off shoes, hat, mittens
• Loves to lug, tug, dump, push, and pull
• Goes up and down stairs without help

Speech Development

• Knows names of objects
• Uses personal pronouns

Social Development

24 months

Physical Development

• Undresses self (large items such as pajamas)
• Begins to kick
• Handles a cup well
• Takes things apart and puts them together again

Speech Development

• Speaks more clearly
• Replaces "baby" language with short sentences
• Likes to talk to self
• Repeats words others say
• Combines words and actions

Social Development

• Identifies with surroundings
• Enjoys helping Mommy and Daddy
• May enjoy cleaning up after playing
• Is very active
• May have periodic temper tantrums
• May point to named body parts

36 months

Physical Development

• Swings and climbs
• Jumps in place
• Walks backward
• Peddles tricycle

Speech Development

• Talks in short sentences, uses plurals
• Sings short songs
• Language is understood by others besides parents
• Says own name
• Increasingly uses "no"
• Announces fears and dislikes

Social Development

• Feeds self well with spoon and fork
• Drinks from straw
• Strings large beads
• Dresses self well
• Begins to identify gender roles
• Explores environment outside of the home

TIPS  FOR  PARENTS

• Talk, sing, and read to your baby.

Babies learn to talk when they hear others.

• Touch, rock, and hold your baby.

Babies like physical contact.

• Respond to your baby's cries quickly and tenderly. Be sensitive when talking to your baby and to others in his/her presence.

Babies sense tension and may become upset.

• Take frequent outdoor walks with your baby.

This will stimulate his/her interest in the outside environment. The fresh air is also helpful.

• Provide toys that are appropriate for your child's age and development.

A few suggestions - mobiles, colorful boxes, push/pull toys, large blocks, big balls, and musical instruments.