The list below provides a guide to normal development of motor skills. These developmental milestones should be used only as guidelines. Acquistion of these milestones can take place six to eight months on either side of the listed ages. Children with special needs may not meet these developemental milestones at their chronological ages.


Average Age at Which a Child May Reach These Milestones

ONE MONTH

On back, head usually to one side
On tummy, turns head when put down
Looks at mobiles and faces
Cuddles during feeding

TWO MONTHS

On back, turns head side-to-side
On tummy, lifts head momentarily
Eyes follow moving persons and objects
Smiles responsively; coos

THREE MONTHS

On back, head more centered
On tummy, lifts head 2-3 inches off crib surface
Hands open most of the time
Looks at hands
Eyes focus on stationary objects
Chuckles

FOUR MONTHS

On back, head centered and hands together on chest
On tummy, head up and looking forward
Plays with own fingers; grasps rattle
Pulls clothes off face
Babbles; smiles and vocalizes in mirror
Rolls to side from back
Performs ulnar palmer grasp-ring finger and little finger against palm

FIVE MONTHS

On back, lifts legs and sees feet
Brings hands together for toys
Rolls back to tummy; on tummy, gets up on hands
Takes weight on feet in standing
Looks after dropped toy
Laughs and squeals
Discriminates strangers
Performs palmer grasp-"gross grasp"-grasps objects against palm, not using thumb
Rolls side to side from supine position

SIX MONTHS

Holds foot while lying on back
Rolls from tummy to back position
Sits when propping
Shakes rattle; reaches for toy
Pats self in mirror
Tries out new sounds
Protective extension-forward reactions
Holds head erect in sitting position with support

SEVEN MONTHS

Puts feet in mouth
Crawls on tummy; pivots in circle on tummy
Sits for a short time
Mouths toys
Bangs toys
Transfers toys from hand to hand
Imitates sounds
Sits independantly but may use hands

EIGHT MONTHS

Sits for a long time
Stands holding on
Holds two toys; drops toy on purpose
Plays peekaboo
Feeds self cracker; drinks liquid from cup
Responds to name
Protective extension back reactions
Rolls from back to tummy position

NINE MONTHS

Creeps on hands and knees
Goes from sitting to tummy and tummy to standing
Bounces up and down while in standing position
Pokes at things with index finger
Picks up small ball
Plays patty-cake; waves bye-bye
Performs radial digital grasp; uses thumb, index, and middle finger, not palm
Stands holding on

TEN MONTHS

Pulls up to stand in crib
Gets down from standing
Says "da da" and "ma ma"
Understands "no"
Hugs and loves toy
Offers toy to others
Pushes arm through during dressing
Uses inferior pincer grasp-index, thumb using lower part of index finger
Crawls on fours (reciprocally)

ELEVEN MONTHS

Cruises along furniture for balance
Walks with two hands held
Pivots in sitting postion
Picks up small block; gives toy when asked
Lifts blanket to find toy
Says two to three "words"
Lifts feet during dressing
Drinks from cup
Reaches sitting position by self

TWELVE MONTHS

Stands alone completely
Squats to play
Makes steps from one object to another
Picks up small cracker
Grasps crayon in fist and imitiates scribbling
Says four to six "words"
Pats pictures in books; communicates by pointing
Plays ball with others
Creeping-plantigrade on hands and feet
Hopping reaction; stagger reactions
Rolls ball forward from a sitting position
Assumes and maintains kneeling
Walks with one hand held
Uses neat pincer grasp-uses precise thumb and finger opposition
Crawls with coordination