Infant & Toddler Development and Growth

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3 to 6 Months

Physical-Motor Development rolls over from front to back holds head steady when held  takes part of their weight on their legs when held  moves eyes together from side to side, up and down, and in a circle when watching a moving object finds and plays with fingers and may suck on them  begins to hold onto bottle when being fed

Language Development makes strong sound, happy, babbling, both high and low sounds  tries to imitate adult sounds

Social Development enjoys smiling and babbling at self in a mirror recognize people they know

Intellectual Development plays alone repeats actions which cause a toy to move or make a noise coos, hums, or stops crying when hearing soft music

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6 to 9 Months

Physical-Motor Development  pulls self to a standing position by holding onto furniture  begins crawling passes at toy from one hand to another feeds self crackers holds own bottle

Language Development may say "dada" or "mama", but with no meaning laughs and coos when alone may say sounds which are more like words  imitates sounds and gestures more closely

Social Development laughs and smiles at someone who is laughing shows interest in you by grabbing your hair, nose, or glasses likes to play "peek-a-boo" tries to follow you and may cry when you leave the room

Intellectual Development now will pay attention to sights and sounds for a longer time  may show fear of heights may shake or move an object to make a sound

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9 to 12 Months

Physical-Motor Development brings together two objects held in hands claps hands together in response as you clap may stand alone, then later start walking while holding onto furniture  enjoys looking at pictures in a book opens drawers and cupboards places one thing inside another may favor left or right hand feeds self small pieces of food and may eat with a spoon, messily

Language Development practices saying a word over and over until it sounds right combines words and gestures such as "bye-bye" and waves may stop doing something when told "NO!" may indicate a need with a gesture

Social Development may cling to a familiar person in the presence of a stranger may act stubborn when asked to do something will play pat-a-cake and roll a ball to another person responds to own name and waves "bye-bye" may show more trust with people they are with more often

Intellectual Development shows more curiosity by exploring nearby areas may imitate people more puts a name with familiar people may remember games they have played before dumps objects out of a box or can but may not pick them up

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12 to 18 Months

Physical-Motor Development throws a ball overhand begins to respond to music by swaying crawls upstairs and downstairs, walks forwards and sideways drinks from a cup with help will pull off clothes

Language Development may use and understand the words "mama" and "dada" correctly may use one word to show needs, such as "Milk?" for "May I have some milk?" may know four or five words including own name may cry when unable to say or do what he or she wants to do says "NO!" to everything

Social Development actively tries to spend time with other children may become angry, fight, and cry when something is taken away will show a sense of humor may show new fears in some situations, such as taking a bath, may have a favorite toy

Intellectual Development understands simple direction may answer simple questions, such as "Do you want to eat?" will look for something in more than one place will notice and cry when familiar people have left the room

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18 to 24 Months

Physical-Motor Development scribbles using one hand more than the other begins to turn pages in a book will find a container with objects walks and runs without falling should be able to push and pull large toys should be able to walk backwards should be able to let you know when he or she soiled or wet, and sometimes uses the toilet when placed on it can chew solid food, drink without much spilling

Language Development can now repeat simple two or three word phrases can ask for what is wanted by name can put tow different words together, such as "big dog" sings along with others

Social Development may still fear being separated from an adult and may develop other fears, such as the fear of the dark or the fear of animals may be shy but shows affection may not be able to make decisions and will slap, hit or bit when angry enjoys playing house with dolls and may play beside other children may not be able to share yet

Intellectual Development can find objects following simple directions uses objects, such as a spoon, in new ways enjoys looking at a picture book alone recognizes familiar sounds, such as a horn, car, animal, noise, or a voice may be unhappy about mother leaving, but can now understand that she will return recognizes self in mirror

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24 to 36 Months

Physical-Motor Development can hold a crayon with fingers to make simple lines removes paper wrapping from small objects can string beads can start, stop, and change directions while walking can kick a ball always running enjoys painting with a small brush can take off clothes and unzip enjoys washing and drying hands may help put things away

Language Development uses simple three word sentences, such as: "See Daddy coming." says full name including nickname soften talks to self while playing memorizes simple nursery rhymes makes voice soft and loud may follow simple directions

Social Development has a sense of humor may be easily frustrated and show anger by throwing things enjoys doing the same thing over and over again may resist change beginning to imitate adults always active may help put own things away

Intellectual Development remembers where things are kept and how to get them can learn from experience and remembers what had happened before knows body parts of an animal, person, self can tell who is a boy or a girl

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© 2003, Oakland County Child Care Council

Last Updated June 25, 2003