The First Month

Physical
Mental
Language
Social
  • arm and leg movement are reflexes
  • head flops if not supported
  • can see things about 10 inches away
  • stares at object but does not reach
  • loves skin-to-skin contact

 
  • prefers to look at high contrast patterns and faces
  • alert 1 out of every 10 hrs
  • begins to trust caregiver
  • most behavior is reflexive
  • will cry if understimulated or overstimulated
  • responds to voices
  • small cooing begins
  • likes it when you talk to him
  • enjoys eye contact
  • smiles at faces
  • recognizes parent's voices


The Second Month

Physical
Mental
Language
Social
  • muscles relax and twitch less
  • can lift head 45 degrees
  • hands start to unfold
  • can briefly hold rattle
  • tracks moving objects

 
  • starts to make associations - cry gets a need met
  • protests if needs aren't met
  • wants visual stimulation
  • gurgles, coos, and squeals
  • exhibits emotions
  • responsive smiling
  • communicates moods
  • studies faces
  • your baby's personality become more obvious


The Third Month

Physical
Mental
Language
Social
  • can stretch limbs all the way out
  • can roll back to side
  • holds head up to search
  • plays with hands
  • can hold rattle longer
  • swipes with arms
  • can briefly bear weight on legs
  • learns cause and effect
  • discovers hands & feet
  • likes detailed high-contrast images
  • begins extended vowel sounds
  • starts to laugh
  • has different cries for different needs
  • makes eye contact
  • smiles at faces
  • knows difference between parents and strangers
  • stops crying when you come in the room

 

The Fourth Month

Physical
Mental
Language
Social
  • can stand up with help
  • rolls front to side
  • lifts head 90 degrees
  • sits with arms propped
  • reaches for objects

 
  • forms mental images of what your baby expects when giving a cue
  • is aware that people and things have labels (dadda)
  • starts to explore things by tasting them
  • changes shape of mouth to change sounds
  • sputters
  • laughs hard when tickled
  • greets caregiver
  • social gestures-moves arms to signal "pick me up"
  • likes social interaction


The Fifth Month

Physical
Mental
Language
Social
  • rolls over from front to back
  • grabs toes
  • can wiggle forward on floor
  • reaches with a good aim
  • transfers objects from hand to hand
  • shows interest in colors
  • pushes away disliked actions (wiping nose)
  • displays expression of decision-making
  • babbles (ba-ba)
  • tries to mimic sounds
  • turns head toward speaker
  • watches your mouth movements


6-9 months

Physical
Mental
Language
Social
  • can sit unsupported
  • rolls over both ways
  • can stand if leaning on other object
  • points at objects
  • picks up small objects with thumb and finger
  • reaches accurately
  • can feed himself
  • can drink from a cup
  • gets up on all fours and rocks
  • studies objects
  • concentrates on one toy at a time
  • analyses what to do with his toy
  • understands the nesting of objects
  • understands an object might be behind something
  • longer and more varied sounds
  • experiments with diffents volumes and pitches of sounds
  • makes 2-syllabled sounds
  • mimics facial expressions
  • exhibits moods with varied sounds and body movements
  • may be shy or afraid of strangers
  • responds to her name
  • raises arms to signal his wanting to be picked up
  • likes her reflection

9-12 months

Physical
Mental
Language
Social
  • masters crawling
  • can stand when supported
  • climbs on furniture
  • walks with help

 
  • start to understand phrases (like "come here")
  • wants to explore things by touching everything
  • builds, stacks and disassemble
  • says simple words ("dog", "hot")
  • understands "no"
  • mimics sounds like tongue-clicking, raspberries, and cough
  • enjoys mimicking
  • points to things he want
  • feels pride (especially when praised)
  • likes games (peek-a-boo)


12-15 months

Physical
Mental
Language
Social
  • walks alone
  • can climb up stairs
  • can grip a crayon
  • can run
  • bounces to music
  • favors one hand
  • understands a word in context
  • understands cause and effect
  • starts pretending
  • remembers
  • likes to sing
  • says several words
  • says "no" and shakes head
  • can follow simple direction
  • copies and imitates
  • likes to look at books together
  • starts to exhibit a temper when angry
  • waves good-bye
  • laughs at funny things


15-18 months

Physical
Mental
Language
Social
  • can walk backwards
  • tries to kick a ball
  • dances, trots, prances
  • can walk in circles
  • scribbles
  • can throw an object

 
  • learn by exploring
  • separation anxiety is less strong (remembers caregivers when out of sight)
  • can match shapes
  • says 10-20 words
  • puts shorts words together "no-no", "bye-bye"
  • makes first sentence
  • responds to verbal requests without signals
  • loves it when you babble back to him

18-24 months

Physical
Mental
Language
Social
  • can jump
  • climbs (out of highchair and crib)
  • can take clothes off
  • opens doors

 
  • can understand 2-step directions
  • can draw circles and lines on paper
  • says 20-50 words
  • makes 3-word sentences
  • understands more than he says
  • likes to sing
Close this window to return to The Baby Page.
Email Us!