Salt Lake Valley Health Department
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Public Health Nursing
Growth and Development
Birth to 12 Months
One Month
Can lift head briefly and turn it from side to side.
Makes kicking and thrusting motions with arms and legs.
Hands are usually closed and grasp your finger when baby’s palm is touched.
Quiets to your voice and eyes fix on parent’s face when talking to baby.
Make some sounds other than crying.
Two Months
Has more head control and can hold head erect while in sitting position with some bobbing.
Can lift head 45 degrees when lying on stomach.
Hands will open more often.
Coos and smiles when talked to.
Head and eyes turn toward sound, object or light.
May recognize parents.
Follows objects with eyes.
Baby opens mouth looking for nipple when cheek is lightly touched.
Three Months
Can roll side to back.
Lifts head 90 degrees when lying on stomach – bears weight on forearms.
Will hold onto rattle.
Holds hands together.
Has spontaneous social smile.
Makes a variety of sounds.
Follows objects 180 degrees with eyes.
Interested in surroundings.
Recognizes familiar faces and people.
Four Months
Balances head will in sitting position.
Has no head lag when pulled to sitting position.
When placed on stomach, can lift head and chest with extended arms.
Holds toy firmly.
Is starting to reach out with both hands.
Inspects and plays with own hands.
Turns head to sounds.
Laughs aloud, coos, gurgles.
Enjoys play, games and toys.
Five Months
Can roll from stomach to back and to sides.
Sits with support.
Is able to reach out and grasp an object.
Jabbers, squeals, vocalizes attitudes such as pleasure, displeasure, eagerness, satisfaction.
Smiles at mirror image.
Able to discriminate strangers from family.
Six Months
May sit alone briefly.
Rolls back to stomach.
Bounces on feet when held standing.
Reaches with one hand – can pick up objects such as a block.
Can hold one object in each hand. Transfers objects from hand to hand.
Brings objects to mouth.
Turns and twists in all directions.
Can take food from spoon and sips of liquid from a cup.
Makes 4 or more different sounds.
Seven to Eight Months
Sits alone steadily – uses hands for play.
Readily bears weight on legs when supported.
Gets self to sitting.
Scoots on abdomen or may crawl.
Pivots on tummy.
Uses thumb and first and second fingers to grasp a block.
Uncovers hidden toys and works to get a toy that’s out of reach.
Can ring bell on purpose.
Can lift a cup with both hands.
Feeds self a cracker and other finger foods.
Pats, smiles at, tries to kiss mirror image.
Fears strangers – is attached to mother.
Listens to familiar words.
Uses two syllable sounds such as “dada” but does not attach a meaning to them.
Pushes away things not wanted.
Nine Months
Teeth begin to emerge (varies a great deal).
Crawls or can move around the room on abdomen.
May stand holding onto furniture.
Can sit steadily for many minutes.
Begins to use thumb and first finger to pick up small objects.
Bangs objects together.
Responds to simple commands such as “no – no”.
Enjoys games such as Pat-a-Cake, So Big, Peek-a-Boo, etc.
Jabbers – says “mama”, “dada.”
Ten Months
Pulls self to stand – sits by falling down.
May start side stepping along furniture.
Learns works and appropriate gestures such as “no, no” and “bye, bye”.
Says “mama” and “dada” with meaning.
Pokes index finger at toys or food in a dish.
Has good pincer grasp – thumb and first finger.
Shows moods – happy, sad, angry. Mimics you – vocalizes to get your attention.
Prefers certain favorite toys.
Fears strange places.
Eleven to Twelve Months
Walks well holding onto furniture.
Stands alone.
Walks with help to gradually walk alone.
Gets down from standing.
Uses fingers for feeding – may carry spoon to mouth with spills.
Responds to simple commands such as “Give it to me.”
Uses jargon along with a few meaningful words.
Turns pages of a book; holds and marks with crayons.
Cooperates in dressing and may pull off socks and untie shoelaces.
Imitates movements of adults and children.
Remains fearful in strange places and clings to mother.