Physical
Communication &intellectual
Social, emotional & behavioural
0-3 months
Born with many reflexes, which are actions they do without thinking. Some reflexes are not as strong at birth.
Babies will begin to lift and turn their heads, will become interested in playing with fingers.
Babies at birth cry in order to communicate their needs, they begin to look around and react to sounds.
Baby may stop crying at times when hearing a familiar voice.
They begin to get excited when it’s time to be fed, babies begin to notice mobiles and objects around.
Babies and their mothers usually begin to develop a strong bond.
Babies may stop crying once picked up but then begin crying again when put down, they tend to be more relaxed at bath times and nappy time and may begin to smile in sleep. They begin to enjoy bath time and start to smile back when they have seen a smiling face.
3-6 months
Babies begin to explore toys and objects with mouth as well as with their fingers, they be able to sit up with support, and possibly able to roll over from back to front.
Begin to enjoy simple games when repeated such as pat-a-cake. They begin to get curious about what is going on around them. Begin to babble, laugh and squeal.
They begin to smile with delight when playing with primary carers, they then begin to lift arms to show parent they want to be picked up.
6-9 months
They now will start to crawl or roll, and possibly able to sit up without support and now begin to use fingers to feed self.
They may begin to babble tunefully, they will begin to explore objects using hands and mouth.
They like to try and stay nearby their parent or carer.
9-12 months
They will begin to stand up and hold onto furniture, will begin to pick up and handle small objects.
Will begin to wave bye-bye, they will begin to point to objects to get adults attention, they will begin to babble that sounds like talking.
They will begin to repeat play as they begin to enjoy doing things over and over again, they may start to cry when parent or carer is out of sight.
12-18 months
Beginning to walk up and down stairs with adult help, able to sit and push selves off with legs on sit- and-ride toys, beginning to feed self with spoon.
Beginning to stop babbling and start to say recognisable words.
Begin to show signs of temper and frustration, begin to become independent, trying to feed themselves with spoon. Begin to become interested in other children, may become distressed if not with people they know well.
18-24 months
Able to play on sit-and-ride toys, able to run and climb, becoming able to use building blocks and do simple jigsaw puzzles.
Able to point to pictures of familiar objects and able to name them.
They become angry and frustrated when cannot get what they want, they become delighted and happy when they enjoy something. Very eager to show things to adults.
2-3 years
Able to pedal a tricycle or push it along with feet, able to turn pages in a book and point out objects, able to walk up stairs on alternate feet, will begin to be able to use the toilet.
Begin to use two words such as ‘daddygone’ or ‘drinkno’, speech which adults unfamiliar with the child can understand. Will become interested in mark-making, painting and books, begins to enjoy sand and water play.
Begins to play alongside other children and copying their actions, have temper tantrums if they are frustrated, become interested in other children and some co-operative play, begins to enjoy dressing up and playing with small