After a tedious and tough pregnancy, it is a boon to see your little one lying huddled in its cot or in your arms. Your baby goes through several developmental changes throughout the first year of his life that sees him moving out of his cot and slowly attempting to take his first step to the new world of discovery and exploration. Here is a milestone chart showing various developmental aspects of a baby through its first year. Each infant differing from the other will also vary in developing their various skills. You may even contact your childcare provider if you have any doubts about your child’s development.
| Baby Developmental Milestones Chart (1 month to 1 year) | |||||
| Age | Motor Activities | Vocalization | Sight/hearing skills | Social and Communicative behavior | Other Activities |
| 1 Month | Jerky arm movement.Might lift their head slightlyInitial gripping (Palmar grasp reflex)Outward flexing of big toe(Babinski reflex) | Mainly communicate by crying. | Cross-eyedAttracted to contrast colors.Sees objects clearly (8 – 12 inches away).Gets startled (Moro reflex) at loud, high-pitched sounds.Recognizes mother’s voice. | Gives a reflex smile mainly while sleeping. | Recognizes the smell of mother’s milk.Rooting reflex |
| 2 months | Smoothened arm movementAttempts Lifting head/chest for a short span.Strong sucking reflex, attempts to suck fingers. | Gurgling, cooing or low grunts can be heard. | Sees up to several feet.Attracted to a variety of colors, designs and shapes. | Social smile (seen in most children)Face and voice recognition of parents. | Begins to drool, |
| 3 months | Raise head/chest at a 45-degree angle for a longer span.Bring both hands togetherOpen/Close fingersAttempts to pick up toys/objects. | Cooing, babbling, gurgling making vowel sounds continues. | Eye contact with the mother.Responds to mother’s voice.Startle reflex goes away. | Strongly recognizes any person or object. | Looks at reflection in the mirror. |
| 4 months | Good coordination of both hands.Kicking and pushing of feet.Starts rolling overTendency of putting things into their mouth (mouthing). | Babbles, raising and dropping of voice | Follows objects and people.Distinguishes between shades of the same color.Grabs at colorful or shiny objects. | Love getting attention.Changes facial expressions indicating different emotions | Repeats an action.Initial signs of teething may be seen. |
| 5 months | Rolling over improvedSits with support.Can pull small objects to themselves | May repeat 1-syllable sound (like ma-ma, da-da)Makes bubble, razzling sounds.Sticks tongue out of their mouth to produce a weird noise (Blowing raspberry). | Realizes direction of soundsFamiliar to regular noises, objects.Sharpened vision, better color recognition.Recognizes small objects. | Raises arms to be picked.Some may display an action nearly corresponding to hugging.Early signs of stranger anxiety. | Laughs at funny things.Laughs when you sneeze. |
| 6 months | Can do multiple rollovers on their own.Can shift objects from one hand to the other.Sitting is improved. | Responds to sounds by making sounds.Makes sounds to express happiness and anger. | Enjoys sound of splashing water or blocks hitting the floor. | Stranger anxiety increasesDemands attention.Has a favorite plaything.Early signs of separation anxiety. | Teething starts in most babiesLoves pressing softballs or biting a teething ring. |
| 7 months | Looks for something that has been dropped.Crawling seen in some babies.Sitting posture better (some can sit without support). | Develops non-verbal communication skills. | Sort toys based on their size.Few babies start responding to their names. | Separation anxiety continuesObject permanence seen.Stranger anxiety increases. | Starts understanding relation of one object to the other.Enjoys hiding games. |
| 8 months | Crawling improvesTries standing up with support.Can pick up objects effortlessly.Tendency of dropping and throwing things. | Verbal skills improved.May understand meaning of few basic words(bye bye) | Recognizes people and objects from a distance.Uses motor skills with senses (crawls to get a toy they want). | Separation anxiety increasesRealizes their own likes and dislike. | Start to realize their daily routine.Enjoys toys with functions (mobile phone) |
| 9 months | Attempts to figure out working of toys.Can crawl with ease.Some of them may even clap.Uses thumb and finger to hold objects (pincer grasp) | Prominent babbling .Understands the tone of their parents. | Is a good listener.Observes things within a radius of three to four meters carefully. | Has changing moods.Personality develops.Understands the meaning of the word “no”Tries waving | Understands parents’ body language.Responds to gestures like blowing kisses or waving.Distracted easily.Wants grownups to react to their activities. |
| 10 months | Can use both hands for doing different work at the same time.Some start pointing.Starts clapping gradually.Sits unsupported.Starts walking with support. | Starts understanding many simple words and phrases.Repeats sounds. | Most of them respond to their names.Hand-eye coordination improves. | Some of them begin waving bye-bye.Engages themselves in parallel play.Separation and stranger anxiety very high. | Enjoys the dropping gameAfraid of things beyond their understanding.Slight chance of head banging |
| 11 months | Some babies stand without support for a short span.Some try standing on toes or on one leg.Enjoys climbing.Pointing more developed.Enjoys pushing, throwing and knocking down everything. | Communicates better through several gestures (grunts, nods and waving)Babbling sounds more like a conversation. | Arranges toys according to size and color.Attracted to bright colorful books.Follows directions given through gestures. | Can focus on something for a longer time.Temper tantrums increased.Communicate needs to parents to certain extent. | Loves opening cabinets, almirah or drawers.Cooperates while dressing. |
| 12 months | Some walk a few steps without support.Most of them use their hand and finger to put bits of food into their mouth.Interested in games involving more energy.Enjoys banging things. | Increase in vocabulary.Imitates parent’s language. | Understands what they are being told.Hand –eye coordination very smooth. | Have favorites among people.Level of curiosity increases.May show affection by trying to kiss. | Starts using objects the manner in which they should be used.Discovers ways to make a thing happen.Begins ‘pretend play’ |