January - March 2020 Newsletter: Developmental Milestones Ages 0

Below we have put together a list of helpful guidelines that suggest what children during different stages are likely doing and experiencing. Keep in mind that each child is unique and will develop at their own pace. However, if you think your child may be a bit behind in their milestones it is always a good idea to speak with your pediatrician. Early intervention is the best way to help our little one’s best be prepared to enter school as active learners.

Age	Milestones
0-3 months	Comfortable being held close and cuddled in arms Learn to suck and swallow easily Look at faces and watch expressions Smile, coo, and gurgle Move arms and legs easily Move head from side to side while lying on tummy Likes to be held during feeding and burped regularly Takes naps that are 2-3 hours
3-6 months	Hold head upright without support Prop themselves up on their arms Look around at sounds and movements Reach for, grasp, and bring toys from hand to hand Roll from their backs to their tummies and vice versa Babble, squeal, and laugh out loud Play with their toes while on their backs Look and play with their hands
6-9 months	Communicate with sounds, babbling, gestures Prefer to be with familiar people rather than strangers Sit without help while playing with toys Takes two 2-3 hour naps a day Bang objects to make noise Move around on their tummies and push up on their hands and knees Imitate sounds and body movements Play give and take games with objects Begin to eat solid foods
9-12 months	Play peek-a-boo Creep or crawl Wave bye-bye Pick up tiny objects using their index fingers and thumbs Can sit upright by themselves Use their index finger to point or poke Can feed themselves using fingers Can put things in containers Can pull themselves up to stand Walk while holding onto things like furniture for support Look at pictures
12-18 months	Use spoons to feed themselves Transition from bottles to cups (with some spilling) Stack toy blocks Identify things by pointing to them or pictures of them Climb chairs Help you do things Walk without help Verbally ask for things like “cookie?” Are messy Scribble with crayons Sometimes show off Give hugs and kisses
18-24 months	Listen to short stories Turn pages of book Jump and run Take off their shoes and socks Communicate in fragmented sentences like “Casey needs doll” Make simple choices – when offered “This book or that book?” Imitate writing, coloring, or drawing strokes Use inflection to ask questions Walk up and down stairs with help Copy the way other children play Wash their own hands Say their own names
2 years old	Walk and run well Begin to throw, kick, and catch balls Turn doorknobs and open lids Have good thumb and finger control Drink through straws Can say their name and age Do not understand sharing
3 years old	Walk up and downstairs alternating feet Start learning how to use the toilet Begin to scribble with pencil or crayon Turn book pages one at a time Sort objects by shape and color Imitate adults and playmates Understand concept of “mine,” “his,” and “hers” Express a wide range of emotions
4 years old	Jump and stand on one foot up to five seconds Walk up and down stairs without support Use safety scissors Draw circles and squares Identify some colors Understand the concept of counting Cooperate with other children Dress and undress themselves
5 years old	Hop and skip Trace letters in books Use forks or spoons Speak sentences of more than five words Recall names of objects or people Draw, identify, and describe pictures Initiate or join in play with other children and make up games

Resources

First 5 San Diego Healthy Development Services
Parent Support and Empowerment	Parent support groups, workshops, and classes and peer-to-peer connections for parents of children with special needs.
Developmental Services	Screening, assessment, and treatment of mild to moderate developmental delays and referrals to additional services as appropriate.
Speech and Language Services	Speech therapy for children with mild or moderate speech and language delays.
Behavioral Services	Counseling or other behavioral therapy to meet mild to moderate social and emotional needs of young children and their families.

YMCA Childcare Resource Service

San Diego Quality Preschool Initiative

Provides free referrals for childcare, subsidies for low income families, parent resources and workshops, as well as developmental and behavior health assessments for children.

Call 1-800-481-2151

www.ymca.org/

SDQPI.org helps parents and providers understand what quality early care and education look like and find participating early care and education providers.

www.SDQPI.org

Information from First 5 San Diego – Pocket Guide resource “What Can You Expect from Your Little One?” provided by First 5 San Diego