Your Baby’s Amazing Journey: Developmental Milestones

Physical Development:

• Walks independently, may start to run and climb.
• Begins to kick and throw balls.
• Uses hands more skillfully for stacking blocks and turning pages.

Senses:

• Improved vision and hearing.
• Shows preference for certain toys and textures.

Feeding:

• Starts to use a spoon and cup with less mess.
• Shows more interest in self-feeding.

Social and Emotional Development:

• Shows increased independence but may have occasional tantrums.
• Begins to show affection (hugs, kisses).
• Imitates adults and older children.
• Begins parallel play (playing near other children without much interaction).

Communication:

• Uses several single words and begins combining two words (e.g., “more juice”).
• Understands simple instructions and questions.
• Points to objects or pictures when named.

Cognitive Development:

• Explores cause and effect with toys (e.g., pushes buttons to make sounds).
• Begins to sort shapes and colors.
• Starts to follow simple routines and anticipate events.

Things you can do to support development:

• Encourage walking, running, and climbing in safe environments.
• Read books daily and name pictures.
• Provide toys that encourage problem-solving (blocks, puzzles).
• Encourage simple choices (“Do you want the red cup or the blue cup?”).
• Use simple words and sentences to communicate.