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Programs & Services > Child & Young Adult 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 to be acting in a different manner, call the People Inc. Early Intervention Program at 716.817.9000.

3 Months

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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 1/2 Years

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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 the People Inc. Early Intervention Program at 716.817.9000.

Information courtesy of NYS Department of Health