developmental milestone checklist for 3 month increments
0-3 Months Developmental Milestone Checklist
- Place baby on stomach on a flat surface
- Support baby's chest with your hands
- Encourage lifting head by placing toys in front
- Hold a colorful object in front of baby
- Move the object slowly from side to side
- Observe if baby's eyes track the object
- Make eye contact with baby
- Talk to baby in a soothing voice
- Observe if baby smiles in response
- Engage in vocal interactions with baby
- Make cooing sounds yourself
- Encourage baby to respond with similar sounds
- Repeat simple sounds to baby
- Pause and wait for baby to respond
- Celebrate and encourage any attempts to mimic sounds
- Place a colorful or moving object in front of the baby and observe if they follow it with their eyes
- Repeat this with different objects to see if the baby consistently tracks them
- Engage the baby in face-to-face interactions, talking or making facial expressions to see if they respond
- Observe if the baby turns towards voices or faces in their environment
- Place the baby's hands near their mouth and observe if they bring them to their mouth on their own
- Encourage this behavior by gently guiding the baby's hands towards their mouth
- Make various sounds in the baby's environment and observe if they react by looking towards the source
- Notice if the baby turns their head towards familiar sounds or voices
- Engage the baby in playful interactions and observe if they respond with a smile
- Notice if the baby smiles in response to seeing familiar faces or hearing familiar voices
3-6 Months Developmental Milestone Checklist
- Encourage tummy time to help strengthen muscles
- Place toys just out of reach to encourage reaching and rolling
- Place toys within reach to encourage reaching and grabbing
- Offer a variety of objects with different textures and shapes
- Engage in playful interactions to elicit laughter and squealing
- Use silly faces and sounds to encourage joyful responses
- Respond to babbling with conversation-like sounds
- Encourage vocalization by making different sounds together
- Introduce new people gradually to help ease anxiety
- Provide comfort and reassurance when meeting new faces
- Use pillows or cushions to provide support while sitting
- Engage in supported sitting activities to help strengthen core muscles
- Rotate toys regularly to maintain interest
- Encourage exploration by offering a variety of objects
- Observe which toys or objects elicit the most interest
- Provide more opportunities to interact with preferred toys
- Model simple sounds and gestures for the baby to imitate
- Encourage imitation through playful interactions and games
- Engage in tummy time activities regularly to strengthen neck muscles
- Use supportive toys or props to encourage head control
6-9 Months Developmental Milestone Checklist
- - Place baby on a flat, firm surface
- - Provide support as needed until they can sit independently
- - Encourage baby to move by placing toys just out of reach
- - Allow them to explore and practice moving on their belly
- - Call baby by their name and observe their reaction
- - Repeat this to see if they consistently respond
- - Demonstrate clapping and waving motions to baby
- - Encourage them to mimic these gestures by repeating them
- - Offer a variety of toys and observe which ones they show interest in
- - Provide more opportunities for play with their preferred toys
- - Place toys or objects just out of reach to encourage standing
- - Provide support as needed to help them pull themselves up
- - Engage in conversations with baby and encourage vocalization
- - Repeat different sounds and encourage them to mimic
- - Use simple commands in a clear and consistent manner
- - Reinforce positive responses with praise and encouragement
- - Play peek-a-boo or hide and seek games with baby
- - Observe how they react when objects are hidden from view
- - Offer small objects for baby to grasp with thumb and forefinger
- - Encourage practice by providing objects of different shapes and textures
- - Provide safe objects for baby to touch and explore
- - Supervise closely to ensure they do not put small objects in their mouth
9-12 Months Developmental Milestone Checklist
- Use furniture or other stable objects for support
- May need assistance or supervision to prevent falls
- Encourage with support or holding hands
- Celebrate and encourage progress
- Repeat words often
- Encourage verbal communication
- Observe and respond to gestures
- Encourage use of gestures for communication
- Use consistent language for commands
- Provide positive reinforcement for following commands
- Model waving and blowing kisses
- Encourage and praise attempts
- Demonstrate actions and sounds for imitation
- Provide opportunities for practice
- Observe and note preferences
- Provide access to preferred toys or activities
- Reassure child when separated
- Gradually introduce separations to build confidence
- Provide safe objects for exploration
- Supervise to ensure safety
- Read to child regularly
- Provide age-appropriate books and pictures
- Engage in simple cause and effect activities
- Encourage exploration and experimentation
- Provide small pieces of soft food that are easy to pick up, such as small fruit slices or cooked vegetables
- Encourage the child to use their fingers to pick up food and bring it to their mouth
- Offer a variety of finger foods to help develop fine motor skills
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