Use the attached milestone checklist to create an activity

Your Baby at 2 Months

Child’s Name Child’s Age Today’s Date

How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves offers important clues about your child’s development. Developmental milestones are things most children can do by a certain age.

Check the milestones your child has reached by the end of 2 months. Take this with you and talk with your child’s doctor at every visit about the milestones your child has reached and what to expect next.

What Most Babies Do at this Age:

Social/Emotional □ Begins to smile at people □ Can briefly calm himself

(may bring hands to mouth and suck on hand) □ Tries to look at parent

Language/Communication

□ Coos, makes gurgling sounds □ Turns head toward sounds

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) □ Pays attention to faces □ Begins to follow things with eyes and recognize people at

a distance □ Begins to act bored (cries, fussy) if activity doesn’t change

Movement/Physical Development

□ Can hold head up and begins to push up when lying on tummy □ Makes smoother movements with arms and legs

Act Early by Talking to Your Child's Doctor if Your Child:

□ Doesn’t respond to loud sounds □ Doesn’t watch things as they move □ Doesn’t smile at people □ Doesn’t bring hands to mouth □ Can't hold head up when pushing up when on tummy

Tell your child’s doctor or nurse if you notice any of these signs of possible developmental delay for this age, and talk with someone in your community who is familiar with services for young children in your area, such as your state’s public early intervention program. For more information, go to www.cdc.gov/concerned or call 1-800-CDC-INF0 (1-800-232-4636).

Adapted from CARING FOR YOUR BABY AND YOUNG CHILD: BIRTH TO AGE 5, fifth Edition, edited by Steven Shelov and Tanya Remer Altmann © 1991,1993,1998, 2004, 2009 by the American Academy of Pediatrics and BRIGHT FUTURES: GUIDEUNES FOR HEALTH SUPERVISION OF INFANTS, CHILDREN, AND ADOLESCENTS, Third Edition, edited by Joseph Hagan, Jr., Judith S. Shaw, and Paula M. Duncan, 2008, Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics. This milestone checklist is not a substitute for a standardized, validated developmental screening tool.

www.cdc.gov/ActEarly | 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) í % <

4

Learn the Signs. Act Early.

Help Your Baby Learn and Grow

You can help your baby learn and grow. Talk, read, sing, and play together every day. Below are some activities to enjoy with your 2-month-old baby today.

What You Can Do for Your 2-Month-old:

□ Cuddle, talk, and play with your baby during feeding, dressing, and bathing.

□ Help your baby learn to calm herself. It’s okay for her to suck on her fingers.

□ Begin to help your baby get into a routine, such as sleeping at night more than in the day, and have regular schedules.

□ Getting in tune with your baby’s likes and dislikes can help you feel more comfortable and confident.

□ Act excited and smile when your baby makes sounds.

□ Copy your baby’s sounds sometimes, but also use clear language.

□ Pay attention to your baby’s different cries so that you learn to know what he wants.

□ Talk, read, and sing to your baby.

□ Play peek-a-boo. Help your baby play peek-a-boo, too.

□ Place a baby-safe mirror in your baby’s crib so she can look at herself.

□ Look at pictures with your baby and talk about them.

□ Lay your baby on his tummy when he is awake and put toys near him.

□ Encourage your baby to lift his head by holding toys at eye level in front of him.

□ Hold a toy or rattle above your baby’s head and encourage her to reach for it.

□ Hold your baby upright with his feet on the floor. Sing or talk to your baby as he is upright.

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4

Learn the Signs. Act Early.

Your Baby at 4 Months

Child’s Name Child’s Age Today’s Date

How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves offers important clues about your child’s development. Developmental milestones are things most children can do by a certain age.

Check the milestones your child has reached by the end of 4 months. Take this with you and talk with your child’s doctor at every visit about the milestones your child has reached and what to expect next.

What Most Babies Do at this Age:

Social/Emotional □ Smiles spontaneously, especially at people □ Likes to play with people and might cry when playing stops □ Copies some movements and facial expressions, like smiling

or frowning

Language/Communication

□ Begins to babble □ Babbles with expression and copies sounds he hears □ Cries in different ways to show hunger, pain, or being tired

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) □ Lets you know if she is happy or sad □ Responds to affection □ Reaches for toy with one hand □ Uses hands and eyes together, such as seeing a toy

and reaching for it □ Follows moving things with eyes from side to side □ Watches faces closely □ Recognizes familiar people and things at a distance

Movement/Physical Development □ Holds head steady, unsupported □ Pushes down on legs when feet are on a hard surface □ May be able to roll over from tummy to back □ Can hold a toy and shake it and swing at dangling toys □ Brings hands to mouth □ When lying on stomach, pushes up to elbows

Act Early by Talking to Your Child's Doctor if Your Child:

□ Doesn’t watch things as they move □ Doesn’t smile at people □ Can't hold head steady □ Doesn’t coo or make sounds □ Doesn’t bring things to mouth □ Doesn’t push down with legs when feet are placed on

a hard surface □ Has trouble moving one or both eyes in all directions

Tell your child’s doctor or nurse if you notice any of these signs of possible developmental delay for this age, and talk with someone in your community who is familiar with services for young children in your area, such as your state’s public early intervention program. For more information, go to www.cdc.gov/concerned or call 1-800-CDC-INF0 (1-800-232-4636).

Adapted from CARING FOR YOUR BABY AND YOUNG CHILD: BIRTH TO AGE 5, Fifth Edition, edited by Steven Shelov and Tanya Remer Altmann © 1991,1993,1998, 2004, 2009 by the American Academy of Pediatrics and BRIGHT FUTURES: GUIDEUNES FOR HEALTH SUPERVISION OF INFANTS, CHILDREN, AND ADOLESCENTS, Third Edition, edited by Joseph Hagan, Jr., Judith S. Shaw, and Paula M. Duncan, 2008, Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics. This milestone checklist is not a substitute for a standardized, validated developmental screening tool.

www.cdc.gov/ActEarly | 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) í % <

4

Learn the Signs. Act Early.

Help Your Baby Learn and Grow

You can help your baby learn and grow. Talk, read, sing, and play together every day. Below are some activities to enjoy with your 4-month-old baby today.

What You Can Do for Your 4-Month-old:

□ Hold and talk to your baby; smile and be cheerful while you do.

□ Set steady routines for sleeping and feeding.

□ Pay close attention to what your baby likes and doesn’t like; you will know how best to meet his needs and what you can do to make your baby happy.

□ Copy your baby's sounds.

□ Act excited and smile when your baby makes sounds.

□ Have quiet play times when you read or sing to your baby.

□ Give age-appropriate toys to play with, such as rattles or colorful pictures.

□ Play games such as peek-a-boo.

□ Provide safe opportunities for your baby to reach for toys and explore his surroundings.

□ Put toys near your baby so that she can reach for them or kick her feet.

□ Put toys or rattles in your baby's hand and help him to hold them.

□ Hold your baby upright with feet on the floor, and sing or talk to your baby as she “stands” with support.

www.cdc.gov/ActEarly | 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) í % <

4

Learn the Signs. Act Early.

Your Baby at 6 Months

Child’s Name Child’s Age Today’s Date

How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves offers important clues about your child’s development. Developmental milestones are things most children can do by a certain age.

Check the milestones your child has reached by the end of 6 months. Take this with you and talk with your child’s doctor at every visit about the milestones your child has reached and what to expect next.

What Most Babies Do at this Age:

Social/Emotional □ Knows familiar faces and begins to know if someone is

a stranger □ Likes to play with others, especially parents □ Responds to other people’s emotions and often seems happy □ Likes to look at self in a mirror

Language/Communication

□ Responds to sounds by making sounds □ Strings vowels together when babbling (“ah,” “eh,” “oh”)

and likes taking turns with parent while making sounds □ Responds to own name □ Makes sounds to show joy and displeasure □ Begins to say consonant sounds (jabbering with “m,” “b”)

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) □ Looks around at things nearby □ Brings things to mouth □ Shows curiosity about things and tries to get things that are

out of reach □ Begins to pass things from one hand to the other

Movement/Physical Development □ Rolls over in both directions (front to back, back to front) □ Begins to sit without support □ When standing, supports weight on legs and might bounce □ Rocks back and forth, sometimes crawling backward before

moving forward

Act Early by Talking to Your Child's Doctor if Your Child:

□ Doesn’t try to get things that are in reach □ Shows no affection for caregivers □ Doesn’t respond to sounds around him □ Has difficulty getting things to mouth □ Doesn’t make vowel sounds (“ah”, “eh”, “oh”) □ Doesn’t roll over in either direction □ Doesn’t laugh or make squealing sounds □ Seems very stiff, with tight muscles □ Seems very floppy, like a rag doll

Tell your child’s doctor or nurse if you notice any of these signs of possible developmental delay for this age, and talk with someone in your community who is familiar with services for young children in your area, such as your state’s public early intervention program. For more information, go to www.cdc.gov/concerned or call 1-800-CDC-INF0 (1-800-232-4636).

Adapted from CARING FOR YOUR BABY AND YOUNG CHILD: BIRTH TO AGE 5, Fifth Edition, edited by Steven Shelov and Tanya Remer Altmann © 1991,1993,1998, 2004, 2009 by the American Academy of Pediatrics and BRIGHT FUTURES: GUIDEUNES FOR HEALTH SUPERVISION OF INFANTS, CHILDREN, AND ADOLESCENTS, Third Edition, edited by Joseph Hagan, Jr., Judith S. Shaw, and Paula M. Duncan, 2008, Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics. This milestone checklist is not a substitute for a standardized, validated developmental screening tool.

www.cdc.gov/ActEarly | 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) í % <

4

Learn the Signs. Act Early.

Help Your Baby Learn and Grow

You can help your baby learn and grow. Talk, read, sing, and play together every day. Below are some activities to enjoy with your 6-month-old baby today.

What You Can Do for Your 6-Month-old:

□ Play on the floor with your baby every day.

□ Learn to read your baby’s moods. If he’s happy, keep doing what you are doing. If he’s upset, take a break and comfort your baby.

□ Show your baby how to comfort herself when she’s upset. She may suck on her fingers to self soothe.

□ Use “reciprocal” play—when he smiles, you smile; when he makes sounds, you copy them.

□ Repeat your child’s sounds and say simple words with those sounds. For example, if your child says “bah,” say “bottle” or “book.”

□ Read books to your child every day. Praise her when she babbles and “reads” too.

□ When your baby looks at something, point to it and talk about it.

□ When he drops a toy on the floor, pick it up and give it back. This game helps him learn cause and effect.

□ Read colorful picture books to your baby.

□ Point out new things to your baby and name them.

□ Show your baby bright pictures in a magazine and name them.

□ Hold your baby up while she sits or support her with pillows. Let her look around and give her toys to look at while she balances.

□ Put your baby on his tummy or back and put toys just out of reach. Encourage him to roll over to reach the toys.

www.cdc.gov/ActEarly | 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) í % <

4

Learn the Signs. Act Early.

Your Baby at 9 Months

Child’s Name Child’s Age Today’s Date

How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves offers important clues about your child’s development. Developmental milestones are things most children can do by a certain age.

Check the milestones your child has reached by the end of 9 months. Take this with you and talk with your child’s doctor at every visit about the milestones your child has reached and what to expect next.

What Most Babies Do at this Age:

Social/Emotional □ May be afraid of strangers □ May be clingy with familiar adults □ Has favorite toys

Language/Communication

□ Understands “no” □ Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and

“bababababa” □ Copies sounds and gestures of others □ Uses fingers to point at things

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) □ Watches the path of something as it falls □ Looks for things he sees you hide □ Plays peek-a-boo □ Puts things in her mouth □ Moves things smoothly from one hand to the other □ Picks up things like cereal o’s between thumb and index finger

Movement/Physical Development □ Stands, holding on □ Can get into sitting position □ Sits without support □ Pulls to stand □ Crawls

Act Early by Talking to Your Child's Doctor if Your Child:

□ Doesn’t bear weight on legs with support □ Doesn’t sit with help □ Doesn’t babble (“mama”, “baba”, “dada”) □ Doesn’t play any games involving back-and-forth play □ Doesn’t respond to own name □ Doesn’t seem to recognize familiar people □ Doesn’t look where you point □ Doesn’t transfer toys from one hand to the other

Tell your child’s doctor or nurse if you notice any of these signs of possible developmental delay for this age, and talk with someone in your community who is familiar with services for young children in your area, such as your state’s public early intervention program. For more information, go to www.cdc.gov/concerned or call 1-800-CDC-INF0 (1-800-232-4636).

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be screened for general development at the 9-month visit. Ask your child’s doctor about your child’s developmental screening.

Adapted from CARING FOR YOUR BABY AND YOUNG CHILD: BIRTH TO AGE 5, Fifth Edition, edited by Steven Shelov and Tanya Remer Altmann © 1991,1993,1998, 2004, 2009 by the American Academy of Pediatrics and BRIGHT FUTURES: GUIDEUNES FOR HEALTH SUPERVISION OF INFANTS, CHILDREN, AND ADOLESCENTS, Third Edition, edited by Joseph Hagan, Jr., Judith S. Shaw, and Paula M. Duncan, 2008, Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics. This milestone checklist is not a substitute for a standardized, validated developmental screening tool.

www.cdc.gov/ActEarly | 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) í % <

4

Learn the Signs. Act Early.

Help Your Baby Learn and Grow

You can help your baby learn and grow. Talk, read, sing, and play together every day. Below are some activities to enjoy with your 9-month-old baby today.

What You Can Do for Your 9-Month-old:

□ Pay attention to the way he reacts to new situations and people; try to continue to do things that make your baby happy and comfortable.

□ As she moves around more, stay close so she knows that you are near.

□ Continue with routines; they are especially important now.

□ Play games with “my turn, your turn.”

□ Say what you think your baby is feeling. For example, say, “You are so sad, let’s see if we can make you feel better.”

□ Describe what your baby is looking at; for example, “red, round ball.”

□ Talk about what your baby wants when he points at something.

□ Copy your baby’s sounds and words.

□ Ask for behaviors that you want. For example, instead of saying “don’t stand,” say “time to sit.”

□ Teach cause-and-effect by rolling balls back and forth, pushing toy cars and trucks, and putting blocks in and out of a container.

□ Play peek-a-boo and hide-and-seek.

□ Read and talk to your baby.

□ Provide lots of room for your baby to move and explore in a safe area.

□ Put your baby close to things that she can pull up on safely.

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4

Learn the Signs. Act Early.

Your Child at 1 Year

Child’s Name Child’s Age Today’s Date

How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves offers important clues about your child’s development. Developmental milestones are things most children can do by a certain age.

Check the milestones your child has reached by his or her 1st birthday. Take this with you and talk with your child’s doctor at every visit about the milestones your child has reached and what to expect next.

What Most Children Do at this Age:

Social/Emotional □ Is shy or nervous with strangers □ Cries when mom or dad leaves □ Has favorite things and people □ Shows fear in some situations □ Hands you a book when he wants to hear a story □ Repeats sounds or actions to get attention □ Puts out arm or leg to help with dressing □ Plays games such as “peek-a-boo” and “pat-a-cake”

Language/Communication □ Responds to simple spoken requests □ Uses simple gestures, like shaking head “no”

or waving “bye-bye” □ Makes sounds with changes in tone (sounds more like speech) □ Says “mama” and “dada” and exclamations like “uh-oh!” □ Tries to say words you say

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) □ Explores things in different ways, like shaking,

banging, throwing □ Finds hidden things easily □ Looks at the right picture or thing when it’s named □ Copies gestures □ Starts to use things correctly; for example, drinks from

a cup, brushes hair □ Bangs two things together □ Puts things in a container, takes things out of a container □ Lets things go without help □ Pokes with index (pointer) finger □ Follows simple directions like “pick up the toy”

Movement/Physical Development □ Gets to a sitting position without help □ Pulls up to stand, walks holding on to furniture (“cruising”) □ May take a few steps without holding on □ May stand alone

Act Early by Talking to Your Child's Doctor if Your Child:

□ Doesn’t crawl □ Can’t stand when supported □ Doesn’t search for things that she sees you hide. □ Doesn’t say single words like “mama” or “dada” □ Doesn’t learn gestures like waving or shaking head □ Doesn’t point to things □ Loses skills he once had

Tell your child’s doctor or nurse if you notice any of these signs of possible developmental delay for this age, and talk with someone in your community who is familiar with services for young children in your area, such as your state’s public early intervention program. For more information, go to www.cdc.gov/concerned or call 1-800-CDC-INF0 (1-800-232-4636).

Adapted from CARING FOR YOUR BABY AND YOUNG CHILD: BIRTH TO AGE 5, Fifth Edition, edited by Steven Shelov and Tanya Remer Altmann © 1991,1993,1998, 2004, 2009 by the American Academy of Pediatrics and BRIGHT FUTURES: GUIDEUNES FOR HEALTH SUPERVISION OF INFANTS, CHILDREN, AND ADOLESCENTS, Third Edition, edited by Joseph Hagan, Jr., Judith S. Shaw, and Paula M. Duncan, 2008, Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics. This milestone checklist is not a substitute for a standardized, validated developmental screening tool.

www.cdc.gov/ActEarly | 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) í % <

4

Learn the Signs. Act Early.

Help Your Child Learn and Grow

You can help your child learn and grow. Talk, read, sing, and play together every day. Below are some activities to enjoy with your 1-year-old child today.

What You Can Do for Your 1-Year-old:

□ Give your child time to get to know a new caregiver. Bring a favorite toy, stuffed animal, or blanket to help comfort your child.

□ In response to unwanted behaviors, say “no” firmly. Do not yell, spank, or give long explanations. A time out for 30 seconds to 1 minute might help redirect your child.

□ Give your child lots of hugs, kisses, and praise for good behavior.

□ Spend a lot more time encouraging wanted behaviors than punishing unwanted behaviors (4 times as much encouragement for wanted behaviors as redirection for unwanted behaviors).

□ Talk to your child about what you’re doing. For example, “Mommy is washing your hands with a washcloth.”

□ Read with your child every day. Have your child turn the pages. Take turns labeling pictures with your child.

□ Build on what your child says or tries to say, or what he points to. If he points to a truck and says “t” or “truck,” say, “Yes, that’s a big, blue truck.”

□ Give your child crayons and paper, and let your child draw freely. Show your child how to draw lines up and down and across the page. Praise your child when she tries to copy them.

□ Play with blocks, shape sorters, and other toys that encourage your child to use his hands.

□ Hide small toys and other things and have your child find them.

□ Ask your child to label body parts or things you see while driving in the car.

□ Sing songs with actions, like “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” and “Wheels on the Bus.” Help your child do the actions with you.

□ Give your child pots and pans or a small musical instrument like a drum or cymbals. Encourage your child to make noise.

□ Provide lots of safe places for your toddler to explore. (Toddler-proof your home. Lock away products for cleaning, laundry, lawn care, and car care. Use a safety gate and lock doors to the outside and the basement.)

□ Give your child push toys like a wagon or “kiddie push car.”

www.cdc.gov/ActEarly | 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) í % <

4

Learn the Signs. Act Early.

Your Child at 18 Months (1 Чг Yrs)

Child’s Name Child’s Age Today’s Date

How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves offers important clues about your child’s development. Developmental milestones are things most children can do by a certain age.

Check the milestones your child has reached by the end of 18 months. Take this with you and talk with your child’s doctor at every visit about the milestones your child has reached and what to expect next.

What Most Children Do at this Age:

Social/Emotional □ Likes to hand things to others as play □ May have temper tantrums □ May be afraid of strangers □ Shows affection to familiar people □ Plays simple pretend, such as feeding a doll □ May cling to caregivers in new situations □ Points to show others something interesting □ Explores alone but with parent close by

Language/Communication

□ S