0-3 months

  • Brings hands to mouth
  • Moves arms
  • May swing arms at toys
  • Hands start to open more

3-6 months

  • Holds small object in hand (without thumb tucked in hand)
  • Holds hands together
  • Reaches for toys with both arms
  • Pushes up on arms when on tummy
  • Briefly holds a toy like a rattle
  • Follows objects with eyes in all directions

6-9 months

  • Shakes and bangs rattles
  • Brings toys to mouth
  • Uses a raking grasp
  • Transfers objects from one hand to the other
  • Keeps hands open and relaxed most of the time
  • Starting to have the ability to pick up small foods like Cheerios

9-12 months

  • Able to release an object voluntarily
  • Gives toy to a caregiver when asked
  • Bangs two toys together
  • Turns pages of a book a few pages at a time
  • Begins to put objects into a container
  • Points to objects
  • Stacks 2 blocks

12-18 months

  • Claps hands together
  • Puts objects and toys into containers
  • Waves goodbye
  • Uses both hands to play
  • Can isolate index finger with other fingers closed
  • Scribbles with a crayon
  • Beginning to use a spoon and cup

18-24 months

  • Can build a block tower using 3-4 blocks
  • Puts rings on a ring stacker
  • Turns pages of a book one at a time
  • Begins holding crayons with finger tips and thumb