Infant and toddler development

Course Objectives

• Learn typical developmental milestones and how to foster them through play
• Identify red flags
• Discuss a variety of equipment, toys, and activities to encourage development for infants and toddlers

0-3 Months

• Rotates head when lying on stomach & back
• Follows visual stimuli and smiles socially
• Moves both arms and legs
• Brings hands to midline, mouth, and eyes
• Rolls from side to back
• Can drink from a bottle or nurse without difficulty
• Holds rattle when placed in hand
• Bears weight through feet when in supported stance
• Tolerates tummy time for 3-5 minutes at a time
• Lifts head when on tummy 45 degrees
• Holds head in midline when pulling to sit and bounced

0-3 Months

3-6 Months

• Sits with support
• Lifts head and trunk on tummy
• Reaches and pivots on tummy
• Rolls from stomach to back
• Grasps and shakes rattle & reaches for toys
• Starts babbling & laughing
• Finds feet when lying on back
• Brings objects, hands & feet to mouth
• Comforted by caregiver and begins to know if someone is a stranger

6-9 Months

• Consistently rolls to/from back in both directions
• Transitions in and out of sitting
• Sits independently and plays with toys
• Plays in a variety of positions
• Turns pages of a board book
• Picks up small objects (i.e. cheerios)
• Uses simple gestures to communicate (i.e. shakes head no)
• Recognizes sound of name
• Interacts with others (i.e. peekaboo)
• Crawls forward on hands and knees

6-9 Months

9-12 Months

• Pulls to stand at stable surface & transitions back down
• Cruises on furniture
• Starts to stand with and without support
• Crawls proficiently
• Starts to drink from a cup
• Points/pokes with index finger
• Says simple words such as "mama" and "dada"
• Easily finds hidden objects
• Removes socks
• Uses thumb & index finger to pick up small objects
• May start to take first steps (12-15 months)
• Follows simple commands, answers simple questions

9-12 Months

12-18 Months

• Walks without assistance and changes speed
• Crawling up and down stairs
• Squats to pick up a toy
• Is able to throw balls without losing balance
• Playing in tall kneeling
• Stacks blocks
• Starts to say 3 or more words (besides "momma" or "dada"), understands 50 words
• Follows one step directions ("give me the toy")
• Can identify 1-2 body parts when named
• Has adequate endurance and strength to play with peers

18-24 Months

• Improved balance (smaller base of support)
• Starts to run
• Starts to jump with both feet leaving the ground
• Climbs on low furniture
• Walks up and down stairs with support
• Feeds self with spoon and fork
• Uses crayons or markers to scribble
• Uses at least 50 words (including 2 word phrases)
• Sits in a variety of positions during play

18-24 Months

Physical Development Red Flags

Physical

• Moves one side more than the other/doesn't move at all
• Flat spot on head
• Only looks one way
• No weight bearing through legs with support (by 4 months)
• Not lifting head
• Not walking by 15-18 months
• Consistently standing, walking, or cruising on tiptoes

Social Red Flags

Social

• No eye contact/doesn't follow objects with eyes
• Doesn't react to noise or startle
• Doesn't smile at people (by 3-4 months)
• No babbling (6 months)
• Doesn't respond to name/recognize people (9 months)
• No shaking head no/waving goodbye (12 months)

Fine Motor Red Flags

• Keeps hands clenched (after 1 month)
• Doesn't hold toys/objects (by 4 months)
• Doesn't bring objects to mouth (by 4 months)
• Doesn't bring hands to mid line (by 6 months)
• Doesn't point (by 12 months)

Fine Motor

Equipment

• Moderation
• 2:1 Ratio (15 minutes in container = 30 minutes floor time)
• Too much time in containers can lead to a delay in gross motor skills
• Can also lead to muscle imbalances and a flat head

Equipment

Favorite Toys

Toys

High Chair Recommendations

High Chairs

Tummy Time Tips & Tricks

Tummy Time

Other Play Positions

Squatting Activity

Avoid:

Good:

Walking Positions

Events

• Hipdysplasia.org
• Pathways.org
• Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, 2nd Edition

References