Developmental Milestones
Developmental Milestones: Birth to Age Three
Unit 4
CE114-03
Developmental Milestones
Children grow and develop at different rates; however, most pass through an identifiable skill “set” along the way. These skills, called developmental milestones, build on each other, from simple to complex, during predictable time periods for most children. Milestone charts, such as one provided below, represent a timetable for mastery of some developmental milestones for a certain age group.
DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES: BIRTH TO AGE THREE | Birth to Age 1 | Age 1 to Age 2 | Age 2 to Age 3 | Physical and Motor | At age of one month: * Raise their heads slightly when lying on their stomachsAt age of three months: * Show vigorous body movementAt age of six months: * Sit with minimal support * Roll from their backs to their stomachsAt age of nine to twelve months: * Crawl * Pull themselves up to stand and may step with some support | * Points to things * Kick a large ball * Pick up things with a thumb and one finger * Able to walk alone, may even walk backwards * Pick up toys from a standing position * Push and pull objects * Move to rhythmic sounds or music * Seat self in a child’s chair * Turn pages of book (two or three at a time) * Walk up and down the stairs with aid | * Turns pages of book (one at time) * Walk up stairs while holding the railing * Stand momentarily on one foot with aid * Open doors * Unbutton large buttons * Stack objects of different sizes * Run forward * Jump in place with both feet together * Walk on tiptoe * Hole crayon with thumb and fingers instead of fist * Roll, pound, squeeze, and pull clay | Social and Emotional | At age of three months: * Smile when someone speaks to them * Maintains eye contact from early on in lifeAt age of six months: * Respond to friendly speech with a smile or coo * Enjoys watching another babyAt age of nine to twelve months: * Give
Unit 4
CE114-03
Developmental Milestones
Children grow and develop at different rates; however, most pass through an identifiable skill “set” along the way. These skills, called developmental milestones, build on each other, from simple to complex, during predictable time periods for most children. Milestone charts, such as one provided below, represent a timetable for mastery of some developmental milestones for a certain age group.
DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES: BIRTH TO AGE THREE | Birth to Age 1 | Age 1 to Age 2 | Age 2 to Age 3 | Physical and Motor | At age of one month: * Raise their heads slightly when lying on their stomachsAt age of three months: * Show vigorous body movementAt age of six months: * Sit with minimal support * Roll from their backs to their stomachsAt age of nine to twelve months: * Crawl * Pull themselves up to stand and may step with some support | * Points to things * Kick a large ball * Pick up things with a thumb and one finger * Able to walk alone, may even walk backwards * Pick up toys from a standing position * Push and pull objects * Move to rhythmic sounds or music * Seat self in a child’s chair * Turn pages of book (two or three at a time) * Walk up and down the stairs with aid | * Turns pages of book (one at time) * Walk up stairs while holding the railing * Stand momentarily on one foot with aid * Open doors * Unbutton large buttons * Stack objects of different sizes * Run forward * Jump in place with both feet together * Walk on tiptoe * Hole crayon with thumb and fingers instead of fist * Roll, pound, squeeze, and pull clay | Social and Emotional | At age of three months: * Smile when someone speaks to them * Maintains eye contact from early on in lifeAt age of six months: * Respond to friendly speech with a smile or coo * Enjoys watching another babyAt age of nine to twelve months: * Give
References: Meltzoff, A. & Moore, M.K. (2002). Imitation of facial and manual gestures by human neonates. Science 198:75-78. http://www.jstor.org/ Sadock, B., & Sadock, V. (2003). Synopsis of psychiatry. (Ninth ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Segal, M., Bardige, B., Woika, M., & Leinfelder, J. (2006). All about child care and early education: A comprehensive resource for child care professionals . Boston: Allyn & Bacon Pearson Education, Inc. Shelov, S., & Hannemann, S. P. (1999). Caring for baby and young child: Birth to age 5. New York: Bantam.