Between one and two months old:

• sucks well, lips are tight around the nipple;
• opens mouth for bottle or nipple when nipple touches mouth;
• can partly roll onto side;
• head is lolling but is able to stabilize the movements;
• observes faces;
• makes different sounds;
• lifts and momentarily supports head up while lying on stomach;
• calms when a familiar person provides care.

Your six-month-old:

• sits briefly while leaning on both hands for support;
• almost strong enough to support entire body weight;
• rolls over from back to front and front to back;
• responds to own name;
• is able to grasp and hold an object;
• brings hands or a toy to his mouth;
• strokes hair and face of a familiar person;
• can stretch arms and use hands to try to grasp an object. 

Your nine-month-old:

• searches for a hidden toy;
• produces different types of sounds, like ba,ba,ba, ma,ma,ma;
• makes noises to draw attention;
• sits unsupported for at least five minutes;
• can support entire body weight while holding onto furniture;
• crawls;
• goes from a crawling position into a sitting position;
• stays in a sitting position with both hands free for playing.

Your twelve-month-old:

• participates in a game with another child (with a ball or a toy car);
• stands up from a sitting position (with the help of furniture);
• eats independently with a spoon (can cause huge mess);
• takes off socks;
• withdraws objects from a container;
• points to certain body parts;
• imitates sounds with you;
• points to pictures in a book.

Your fifteen-month-old:

• tries to pronounce two words or more (language is not necessarily clear);
• imitates some animal sounds;
• walks sideways while holding onto furniture;
• repeats a funny gesture;
• crawls up the stairs;
• stays seated for at least five minutes on the "potty chair".

Your eighteen-month-old:

• names pictures in a book;
• points to one body part when asked ("Where is your nose?" or "Where is your hair?");
• pulls and pushes toys while walking;
• is affectionate with other children, adults or pets;
• uses familiar gestures, like wave "hello" and "good-bye";
• stacks three blocks. 

Your two-year-old:

• runs clumsily;
• seems to have good hearing and does not have recurring earaches;
• strings two words together, like "more cookie " or "want blanket";
• asks for help;
• wishes to be more independent and do things alone;
• imitates certain gestures that accompany a story. 

Your three-year-old:

• listens to a story or music for at least five minutes;
• avoids familiar dangers, like the road or broken glass;
• eats entire meal without help;
• kicks a stationary ball forward;
• screws and unscrews a loose cap;
• greets peers and familiar adults when reminded;
• imitates someone counting to three;
• can follow two consecutive directions. 

Your four-year-old:

• can describe two events in the order they occurred;
• can follow three consecutive directions;
• puts on own mittens;
• uses the toilet in time, undresses, wipes, flushes, and pulls up pants without help;
• cuts out curvy shapes using scissors;
• pedals a tricycle. 

Your five-year-old:

• traces big block letters randomly on a sheet;
• holds pencil correctly and uses a sharpener;
• talks clearly, like an adult most of the time;
• throws and catches a ball;
• talks about a best friend;
• dresses without help, can button-up and fasten a belt buckle.

end faq