Infant & Toddler Development and Growth


0 to 3 Months 3 to 6 Months  6 to 9 Months  9 to 12 Months 
12 to 18 Months 18 to 24 Months  24 to 36 Months   

0 to 3 Months

1 Month

  • raises head a little off floor or bed, when lying on tummy
  • holds head up briefly when supported
  • tries to watch and follow with eyes
  • begins to make little sounds

2 Months

  • holds head up, bobbing, when held in a sitting position
  • follows movement and people with eyes
  • responds to a smile
  • makes cooing and gurgling sounds

3 Months

  • lifts head and chest while lying on tummy
  •  develops stronger arm and leg movements
  • holds head up more steadily
  •  laughs and coos

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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

return to age ranges


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© 2003, Oakland County Child Care Council

Last Updated June 25, 2003