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From birth to 2 years old, children are developing
at a rapid rate. You will see changes in your child monthly and
even weekly. These changes will happen in the areas of their gross
motor, fine motor, sensory and social development. This guideline
indicates some of the primary milestones for your child up to the
age of two. Please keep in mind that each child is unique and develops
skills at their own rate. This material is provided for informational
and educational purposes only; it does not contain specific medical
advice. If you have concerns about your child's development, you
should contact your physician or pediatrician.
Fine motor skills are generally thought of as the
movement and use of the hands and the upper extremities. This would
include reaching, grasping and manipulating objects with the hands.
This is a list of fine motor skills children should demonstrate
between the ages of 0-2 years.
Age milestone
|
Baby development skills
|
| 3-4 months |
Holds small object in
hand (without thumb tucked in hand) |
| 4-5 months |
Reaches for toy
Briefly holds toy |
| 6-7 months |
Follows objects with
eyes in all directions
Transfers objects from one hand to the other |
| 8-10 months |
Keeps hands open and
relaxed most of the time
Starting to have ability to pick up small foods, like Cheerios
|
| 9-12 months |
Able to release an object
voluntarily
Gives toy to caregiver when asked |
| 11-12 months |
Likes to explore, turn
pages of cardboard books |
| 15-16 months |
Puts objects/toys in
a container
Uses both hands to play
Points at objects with index finger
Can isolate index finger with other fingers closed |
| 18 months |
Can build a block tower
using 3 - 4 blocks |
| 2 years |
wrap you around their
finger! |
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Gross Motor Skills: Birth to 2 years
Gross Motor skills involve the larger muscles in the
arms, legs and torso. Gross motor activities include walking, running,
throwing, lifting, kicking, etc. These skills also relate to body
awareness, reaction speed, balance and strength.
Age milestone
|
Baby development skills
|
| 3-4 months |
Can raise head |
| 4-5 months |
Rolls from back to side;
Rolls from back to front |
| 6-7 months |
Can raise chest and upper
part of abdomen (on front)
Can bear weight on one hand while exploring with the other (on
front)
Can sit unsupported |
| 8-10 months |
Crawls ( look out!) Time
to start baby proofing! |
| 9-12 months |
Reaches actively for
toy (when in sitting position) |
| 11-12 months |
Pulls to a standing position
|
| 15 months |
Walks alone well
Squats and stands back up; walks up and down steps holding hand |
| 18 months |
Can run, though falls
easily |
| 2 years |
Walks and runs fairly
well
Can jump with both feet
Can climb stairs without support
Kick a ball |
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Sensory development relates to senses (vision, hearing,
touch, taste, smell) which allow us to explore the world around
us. Social skills refer to our interactions with other people. (For
a child, social skills generally center on behavior in play situations.
Age milestone
|
Baby development skills
|
| 1-2 months |
Can see your face at
15inches or 20cm
Is aware of contrast colours |
| 3 months |
Cuddles and relaxes when
held |
| 3-5 months |
Responds with baby sounds
when caregivers talk and smile |
| 3 -6 months |
Able to be calmed by
caregiver when upset |
| 5-7 months |
Knows his/her own name
and responds by looking when called |
| 7-12 months |
Has toy preferences and
explores a variety of toys |
| 12-18 months |
Likes attention from
others and will do behaviors to get reactions
(the famous throw something off your highchair routine!) |
| 15 months |
Shows liking for affection
and will hug/kiss familiar people |
| 18 months |
Plays alongside other
children; Seeks interactions with other children |
Check out our other articles for more
information on baby's health issues.
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