Children Services
Checklist for Growing Children
Here´s what you can expect your child to be doing, from birth to age three. If your baby seems different, call People Inc.´s Early Intervention Program at (716) 874-5600.
3 Months
At three months of age, most babies:
- turn their heads toward bright colors and lights
- move both eyes in the same direction together
- recognize bottle or breast
- react to sudden sounds or voices
- make cooing sounds
- make fists with both hands
- grasp toys or hair
- wiggle and kick with arms and legs
- lift head and chest when on stomach
- smile
6 Months
At six months of age, most babies:
- follow moving objects with their eyes
- turn toward the source of normal sound
- reach for objects and pick them up
- switch toys from one hand to the other
- play with their toes
- help hold the bottle during feeding
- recognize familiar faces
- babble
12 Months
At 12 months of age, most babies:
- sit without support
- pull to a standing position
- crawl
- drink from a cup
- play peek-a-boo and patty cake
- wave bye-bye
- hold out their arms and legs while being dressed
- put objects in a container
- stack two blocks
- know five or six words
1/2 Years
At 1 1/2 years of age, most children:
- like to pull, push and dump things
- follow simple directions ("Bring the ball")
- pull off shoes, socks and mittens
- like to look at pictures
- feed themselves
- make marks on paper with crayons
- walk without help
- step off a low object and keep balance
2 Years
At two years of age, most children:
- use two-to-three-word sentences
- say names of toys
- recognize familiar pictures
- carry something while walking
- feed themselves with a spoon
- play independently
- turn 2-3 pages at a time
- like to imitate their parents
- identify hair, eyes, ears and nose by pointing
- build a tower of four blocks
- show affection
3 Years
At three years of age, most children:
- walk up steps (alternating feet)
- ride a tricycle
- put on their shoes
- open door
- turn one page at a time
- play with other children for a few minutes
- repeat common rhymes
- use three-to-five-word sentences
- name at least one color correctly
- are toilet trained
If your child is having trouble doing some of these things, it may put your mind at rest to talk to someone. Early help makes a difference! Talk with your pediatrician or call People Inc.'s Early Intervention Program, (716) 874-5600.
Information courtesy of NYS Department of Health