3 Months
PHYSICAL
INTELLECTUAL
LANGUAGE
EMOTIONAL
SOCIAL
Legs not yet strong enough for holding weight when standing.
Visually alert, and follows adults with eyes, moves head.
Stops crying to sound of rattle.
Shows excitement at sounds, which he likes. Running bath water etc.
Stares at parent or carer when being fed.
Will hold rattle for a few moments, but cannot usually look at it, at the same time.
Shows eagerness when offered milk.
Makes noises when happy.
Quietens to sound of familiar voice.
Reacts happily to familiar situations.
Can hold head up for several seconds. Head and chest lifts when lying on tummy.
Hand play. Loves to look at hands. Presses palms together, and clasps hands.
Turns head to sound.
Shows pleasure when handled, and talked to.
Enjoys bath and other routine activities.
Rests weight on hands. Grabs at surface with hands. Will suck lips at sounds of feed preparation.
Shows distress at loud noises.
Smiles.
Hands open. Arm movements are symmetrical. Movements generally smoother.
AGE
6 months
PHYSICAL
INTELLECTUAL
LANGUAGE
EMOTIONAL
SOCIAL
Moves arms purposefully.
Forgets about toy if hidden.
Starts to make tuneful double or single syllable sounds, eg 'muh-muh'.
Manipulates toys very well. Watches them at the same time.
Becomes unfriendly to strangers at about 7 months.
Lifts head and chest up higher now, when lying on tummy. Rests weight on outstretched arms and flat palms.
Stares at toys within reach, and grabs toy with both hands. Occasionally uses one.
Laughs to self while playing, also screams with delight and with irritation.
Loves rattles and will grab for one when offered. Then shakes it deliberately.
Is still friendly with strangers unless startled or familiar adult isn't there.
Will pull himself to sit when hands are held. Will lift head up when lying on back.
More alert now and eagerly watches people in the room.
Turns to where familiar voice comes from. Listens to voice.
Holds hands up to be lifted.
Loves 'Rough and Tumble' play.
Plays with feet when lying on back. Sits upright supported.
Uses whole hand to hold toys. Palmar grasp.
Touches breast or bottle when being fed.
Kicks legs alternately. Will take weight on legs when held. Bounces. Rolls over.
Passes toy from hand to hand. Watches toy fall.
AGE
9 months
PHYSICAL
INTELLECTUAL
LANGUAGE
EMOTIONAL
SOCIAL
Rolls along, wriggles and may crawl.
Recognises names.
Babbles away to self, in melodically repetitive syllables, eg 'Mamamama'.
Starts to be wilful and have tantrums.
Offers toys to adults, but only drops toy into hand. Cannot place.
Leans forward to pick up a toy easily.
Starts to master pincer grasp (holds small objects between thumb and forefinger).
Copies simple sounds.
Likes to watch surroundings while being carried.
Recognises family members.
Attempts to walk along when hands are held.
Points at books and pictures.
Shouts for attention, waits and repeats.
Interested in everything.
Copies facial expressions.
Pulls to standing. But will not be able to lower himself back down. Falls down.
Still learns about objects by putting them into mouth.
Knows the meaning of 'bye' and 'NO!'
Very alert on walks.
Loves peek-a-boo, and may join in.
Sits up unsupported.
Drops toy deliberately but cannot actually place it down.
Learning to communicate through sounds.
Has favourite toys.
Clingy to familiar adult, and unfriendly to strangers.
Laughs before action toys pop up remembering the action
Watches with continued interest for a few minutes.
Splashes in bath deliberately.
AGE
12 months
PHYSICAL
INTELLECTUAL
LANGUAGE
EMOTIONAL
SOCIAL
Might crawl upstairs.
Throws toys on purpose.
Understands certain simple everyday words, such as cup or teddy.
Doesn't like to be parted from parent/carer.
Puts toys in mouth less, and drools less.
Sits up easily from lying down.