Normal Infant Development (0–12 months)
Note: Milestone ages are approximate. Variations exist, and delays may warrant assessment for developmental disorders.
Developmental Domains
- Motor – Gross and fine motor skills.
- Social/Emotional – Interaction with caregivers and strangers.
- Verbal/Cognitive – Communication, understanding, and problem-solving.
Infant Development (0–12 months)
| Age | Motor | Social/Emotional | Verbal/Cognitive |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mo | Lifts head in prone | Begins social smile (~2 mo) | Orients to voice (~4 mo) |
| 4–6 mo | Rolls over, sits with support, passes toys hand-to-hand | Stranger anxiety (~6 mo) | Orients to name, gestures (~9 mo) |
| 6–9 mo | Crawls (~8 mo), pincer grasp emerges (~9–10 mo) | Separation anxiety (~9 mo) | Object permanence (~9 mo) |
| 10–12 mo | Stands (~10 mo), walks (~12 mo) | Increased attachment behaviors | First words: “mama” and “dada” (~10 mo), points to objects (~12 mo) |
Primitive Reflexes: Moro, rooting, palmar, and Babinski disappear during the first year (Mr. Peanut Butter mnemonic).
Points to Remember (Step 1 High-Yield)
- Motor: Lift head prone by 1 month, sit by 6 months, crawl by 8 months, stand by 10 months, walk by 12–18 months.
- Fine motor: Pass toys hand-to-hand by 6–9 months; pincer grasp by 9–10 months.
- Social/Emotional: Social smile by 2 months, stranger anxiety by 6 months, separation anxiety by 9 months.
- Verbal/Cognitive: Orients to voice by 4 months, name and gestures by 9 months, says “mama/dada” by 10 months, points to objects by 12 months.
- Primitive reflexes: Should disappear in the first year; persistence may indicate neurological issues.
Normal Toddler Development (12–36 months)
Note: Milestone ages are approximate. Delays may require evaluation for developmental disorders.
Developmental Domains
- Motor – Gross and fine motor skills.
- Social/Emotional – Interaction with caregivers and peers.
- Verbal/Cognitive – Language, problem-solving, and self-awareness.
Toddler Development (12–36 months)
| Age | Motor | Social/Emotional | Verbal/Cognitive |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12–18 mo | Cruises, takes first steps (~12 mo); climbs stairs (~18 mo) | Begins independent exploration | Uses ~50 words by 2 years |
| 18–24 mo | Stacks cubes: # cubes = age (yr) × 3; feeds self with fork and spoon (~20 mo); kicks ball (~24 mo) | Parallel play begins (~24–36 mo); moves away from and returns to parent (rapprochement, ~24 mo) | Expands vocabulary: 50–200 words by 2 years |
| 24–36 mo | Improves coordination: climbs, runs, throws | Rapprochement continues, increasing independence | Uses 300+ words by 3 years; core gender identity formed (~36 mo) |
Points to Remember (Step 1 High-Yield)
- Gross motor:
- Cruises and takes first steps ~12 mo
- Climbs stairs ~18 mo
- Kicks a ball ~24 mo
- Fine motor:
- Stacks cubes: # cubes = age × 3
- Feeds self with fork and spoon ~20 mo
- Social/Emotional:
- Parallel play emerges 24–36 mo
- Rapprochement: moves away and returns to parent ~24 mo
- Core gender identity formed ~36 mo
- Language/Cognition:
- 50–200 words by 2 years
- 300+ words by 3 years
Normal Preschool Development (3–5 years)
Note: Milestones are approximate. Variations are normal; delays may require assessment.
Developmental Domains
- Motor – Gross and fine motor skills.
- Social/Emotional – Interaction with peers, independence, and imagination.
- Verbal/Cognitive – Language, storytelling, and understanding concepts.
Preschool Development (3–5 years)
| Age | Motor | Social/Emotional | Verbal/Cognitive |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 yr | Rides a tricycle (3 wheels) | Comfortably spends part of the day away from parents. | Understands ~1000 words |
| 4 yr | Copies a line or a circle; draws a stick figure; hops on one foot | Cooperative play may have imaginary friends | Uses complete sentences and prepositions; tells detailed stories |
| 5 yr | Uses buttons or zippers; grooms self | Increasing independence and self-care | Language is more complex; storytelling improves |
Points to Remember (Step 1 High-Yield)
- Gross motor:
- Rides tricycle ~3 years
- Hops on one foot ~4 years
- Fine motor:
- Copies shapes, stick figures ~4 years
- Uses buttons, zippers, grooms self ~5 years
- Social/Emotional:
- Part-day separation from parent ~3 years
- Cooperative play and imaginary friends ~4 years
- Language/Cognition:
- Understands ~1000 words by 3 years
- Uses complete sentences, prepositions by 4 years
- Can tell detailed stories by 4 years
Activity:
