Before you read this blog, I want to ask you to remember every child is different and this milestone guide is just that, a guide. All children are different; temperament plays a huge role in development. If you have a child with a layback temperament, it is highly likely they will be content sitting (even being propped up) with a single toy for quite a while. Compare that child to a child who needs constant stimulation; usually, the child who needs constant stimulation will achieve their milestones earlier than the child who is content.
| GROSS MOTOR SKILLS | |
| Age | Milestone |
| 3 months | Raise their head and chest when laying on their tummy |
| 6 months | Roll front to back and back to front |
| Can move around a bit when they are laying on their tummy’s | |
| Whilst being supported, they can stand on their legs taking their weight | |
| 9 months | Can usually sit unsupported and play with their toys |
| Some maybe crawling or bottom shuffling | |
| 12 months | Can crawling and able to get themselves in this position from sitting or lying down |
| Walk around whilst holding onto furniture | |
| Pull themselves up using furniture | |
| 18 months | Walk around independently (maybe still very wobbly) |
| Get themselves to a standing position from sitting unaided | |
| Crawl up and down steps | |
| FINE MOTOR SKILLS | |
| Age | Milestone |
| 3 months | Reach for objects dangled in front of them |
| Grasp things in their hands | |
| Bring objects to their mouths | |
| 6 months | Grasp objects and start to examine them |
| Enjoy playing with rattle toys and know how to make them rattle | |
| Use their hand to rake things out of their grasp | |
| 12 months | Starting to feed themselves |
| Can drink independently from a sippy cup | |
| Using their fingers and thumbs to hold things | |
| Put objects into containers and get them back out again | |
| Voluntarily let go of objects | |
| 18 months | Start to use a spoon to feed themselves |
| Stack 2-3 blocks | |
| GROSS MOTOR SKILLS | |
| Age | Milestone |
| 18 months | Start to be able to hold a crayon and scribbling on paper |
| Curiously open cupboards and poke at things | |
| COMMUNICATION | |
| Age | Milestone |
| 0-3 months | Reacts to loud sounds |
| 3 months | Recognises familiar people’s voices |
| Stops sucking on hearing a sound | |
| Starting to coo | |
| Has different cries for different needs | |
| Smiles | |
| 6 months | Follows sounds with their eyes |
| Babbles | |
| Laughs | |
| 12 months | Plays peek-a-boo |
| Starting to form easy words such a mamma and dadda | |
| Attempts to imitate sounds being said to them | |
| 18-24 months | Enjoys singing simple songs |
| They are able to point to a picture when being ask for it | |
| Vocabulary being each day | |
| Put two or more words together, such as ‘where dada’ | |
If you are at all worried about your child’s development, always seek professional help, either from your Health Visitor or GP. More often than not, they will be able to reassure you that your little one is developing just how they are expected, but you will be reassured, and that is what matters.
