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Have you ever
wondered how your child is growing and developing compared to other
children of the same age? How do you know if your child is "on the right
track?"
Your child is going through many physical and mental changes. Although no
two children grow at the same rate, experts agree there are "normal" signs
of development. This brochure will provide you with a checklist of
important milestones in your child's development during the first year of
life.
It is a simple tool you can use to become aware of and appreciate the
dramatic changes that are occurring in your child.
Watch for these signs in your child over a one month period. (Even
children have "bad days.") Remember, each child is different and may learn
and grow at a different rate. However, if your child cannot do many of the
skills listed for his or her age group, you should consult your
pediatrician. If your child was born sooner than expected, be sure to
deduct the number of months early from his or her age. A 5-month-old born
2 months early would be expected to show the same skills as a 3-month-old
who was born on his or her due date. Several additional sources of
information are listed on the back of this brochure.
You are the most important observer of your child's development. If your
child has special needs, early help can make a difference.
By 3 months of age does your child:
Motor Skills
-
lift head when
held at your shoulder
-
lift head and
chest when lying on his stomach
-
turn head from
side to side when lying on his stomach
-
follow a
moving object or person with his eyes
-
often hold
hands open or loosely fisted
-
grasp rattle
when given to her
-
wiggle and
kick with arms and legs
Sensory and
Thinking Skills
-
turn head
toward bright colors and lights
-
turn toward
the sound of a human voice
-
recognize
bottle or breast
-
respond to
your shaking a rattle or bell
Language
and Social Skills
-
make cooing,
gurgling sounds
-
smile when
smiled at
-
communicate
hunger, fear, discomfort (through crying or facial expression)
-
usually quiet
down at the sound of a soothing voice or when held
-
anticipate
being lifted
-
react to
"peek-a-boo" games
By 6 months
of age does your child:
Motor Skills
-
hold head
steady when sitting with your help
-
reach for and
grasp objects
-
play with his
toes
-
help hold the
bottle during feeding
-
explore by
mouthing and banging objects
-
move toys from
one hand to another
-
shake a rattle
-
pull up to a
sitting position on her own if you grasp her hands
-
sit with only
a little support
-
sit in a high
chair
-
roll over
-
bounce when
held in a standing position
Sensory and
Thinking Skills
Language
and Social Skills
-
babble, making
almost sing-song sounds
-
know familiar
faces
-
laugh and
squeal with delight
-
scream if
annoyed
-
smile at
herself in a mirror
By 12
months of age does your child:
Motor Skills
-
drink from a
cup with help
-
feed herself
finger food like raisins or bread crumbs
-
grasp small
objects by using her thumb and index or forefinger
-
use his first
finger to poke or point
-
put small
blocks in and take them out of a container
-
knock two
blocks together
-
sit well
without support
-
crawl on hands
and knees
-
pull himself
to stand or take steps holding onto furniture
-
stand alone
momentarily
-
walk with one
hand held
-
cooperate with
dressing by offering a foot or an arm
Sensory and
Thinking Skills
-
copy sounds
and actions you make
-
respond to
music with body motion
-
try to
accomplish simple goals (seeing and then crawling to a toy)
-
look for an
object she watched fall out of sight (such as a spoon that falls under the
table)
Language
and Social Skills
-
babble, but it
sometimes "sounds like" talking
-
say his first
word
-
recognize
family members' names
-
try to "talk"
with you
-
respond to
another's distress by showing distress or crying
-
show affection
to familiar adults
-
show mild to
severe anxiety at separation from parent
-
show
apprehension about strangers
-
raise her arms
when she wants to be picked up
-
understand
simple commands
If you have
questions about your child's development or want to have your child
tested,
If you think
your child may have a problem or delay in development, it is important to
have a professional evaluation and begin intervention as soon as possible.
For evaluation resources, visit our online
Special Needs Database to search for diagnostic and evaluation
resources. The
developmental information provided in this bulletin has been synthesized
from a variety of professional resources to help you appreciate your
child's progress. It is not a formal, standardized measurement tool.
Reprinted with permission from the National Network for Child Care -
NNCC. Powell, J. and Smith, C.A. (1994). The 1st year. In "Developmental
milestones: A guide for parents". Manhattan, KS: Kansas State University
Cooperative Extension Service.
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