The Independent Child
Because baby’s do not come with an owners manual, the following milestones at a glance, cover all five major areas of typical child development. No two children all develop at the same rate, but experts agree there are “normal “signs of development. These milestones have been compiled from five leading sources. If your child was born early, subtract that number of months from the following general examples.


From birth to 3 months children typically: sleep a lot – recognize the sound of your voice, your face, and objects – turn head to sounds – raise chest and head when on stomach - will open and close hands and bring them to mouth – will follow moving objects with eyes - need to be held and touched –hold head up make cooing sound – smile


From 4 to 7 months children typically: roll from stomach to back and back to stomach – reaches for a toy - support weight on legs - transfer toy from one hand to another – make sounds for specific reasons (wet, hunger etc) – helps hold bottle – play with toes – put most everything to mouth – babble - need to be held and touched – discover that they have impact on environment – will explore environment - show curiosity – smile.


From 8 to 12 months children typically: sit alone and will change position – say mama and dada – respond to people they know – respond to their name – imitate others at play – babbling with true meaning (it means a lot to them) – will pull to stand - crawl to sit independently – understand simple words like “no” – can finger feed themselves – can respond with gestures – attempt to copy words – smile.


From 12 to 18 months children typically: WALK, maybe run a bit – point to at least one body part – dance to music – has precise finger and thumb grasp – can stack two or more blocks – are really curious – will look for an object out of sight – hug caregiver – identifies emotions –use 5 – 10 words – will climb up or down stairs – pull toys with wheels – play simple games (peek a boo) – marks on paper with crayons – smile.


From 18 to 24 months children typically: TALK - build towers of cubes – complete simple puzzles – turn knobs, and pages of books – use jargon - expand vocabulary – follow simple directions – stop and recover – use objects as tools – fit related objects together – kick and throw ball – climb into chair – use 2-3 word sentences – says names of toys – feed self with spoon - carry an object – play alone independently – identify body parts – show affection – drink from a cup independently – comb hair – can remove clothes – partially toilet trained - understand dramatic play/pretend – want to be near other children – can stand on tip toes – locate hidden objects –ask for common foods by name – enjoy being read to – smile.


From 24 to 36 months children typically: run, climb, jump in place – pull wagon or toy – ride tricycle – string beads – work latches and hooks – snip with scissors – uses some adjectives (color/size) – asks questions – draws – understands “1” “2” – put on some clothes – remove/puts on shoes – are toilet trained – name common colors – make associations – anticipate daily activities – expand imaginary play – show sense of ownership – can wait turn – can ask for help – work challenges with more reasoning, less action – enjoy being read to – walk up steps alternating feet – open doors – repeat common rhymes – unbutton large buttons – show an interest in TV and radio – help adults to put away toys - unwrap candy – smile.


Areas of Concern


From 0 to 3 months
Cannot support head – will not push down with legs when placed on floor by 4 months – eyes do not follow objects by 2 – 3 months – not much babbling and does not copy any sounds by 4 months – no response to loud sounds – no smile or change of expression by 2 months – does not seem interested in new faces – not bringing objects to mouth – legs and arms appear weak (no kicking or grabbing)


From 4 to 7 months
Tight muscles, muscles appear stiff – you cannot make child happy or content after 3 -5 months – not rolling in either direction – will not be held or hugged – finds it difficult to get objects in mouth – not sitting with assistance by 6 months – cannot support weight on legs by 7 months – not turning head to sounds – not smiling – not interested in interacting with others (peek a boo) not babbling or trying to copy sounds by 7 months


From 8 to 12 months
Not crawling – not standing with support – drags or favors one side when crawling – not saying simple words (mom / dad)not using simple gestures (wave bye – bye) – not able to put objects in and out of box


From 12 to 24 months
Has not developed a good walking routine – not talking in at least two word sentences by 2 years old – not following simple instruction – not walking by 15 months – not understanding cause and affect relationships


From 24 to 36 months
Cannot express wants and needs (frustration) – unable to feed self – cannot help with dressing – cannot use hands well (string beads / stack things / turn pages of a book) – cannot name body parts - does not socially engage others – does not hold attention to a specific activity more than 10 minutes