In the Formative years of 6mo-1yr

Remember every baby is different, and milestones may be reached or exceed at various months, use this as a guide.

Motor Skills: 

• Sits with or without support

• Sits and reaches for toys without falling

• Moves from tummy or back into sitting

• Alternate leg and arm movement such as, crawling, standing, wobbly steps 

• Pulling up on objects, preparing to walk with or without support 

• Turns head to visually track objects while sitting

• Shows more control while rolling, crawling, sitting and standing

• Picks up small objects with thumbs and fingers

• In simple play, imitates others

Sensory:

• Enjoys a variety of movements – bouncing up and down, rocking back and forth

• Explores and examines an object using both hands and mouth

• Turns several pages of a book at once

• Experiments with the amount of force needed to pick up different objects

• Focuses on objects near and far

• Investigates shapes, sizes, and textures of toys and surroundings

• Observes environment from a variety of positions – while lying on back or tummy, sitting, crawling, and standing, few steps with or without assistance

Communication:

• Uses increased variety of sounds and syllable combinations in babbling

• Looks at familiar objects and people when named

• Recognizes sound of their name

• Participates in two-way communication

• Follows some routine commands when paired with gestures

• Shows recognition of commonly used words

• Simple gestures, shaking head for “no”

• Imitates sounds and single syllable words

Feeding:

• In a highchair, holds and drinks from a bottle or sippy cup

• Begins to eat thicker pureed and mashed table foods

• Enjoys chew toys that can massage sore and swollen gums during teething

• Stays full longer after eating

• Starts to look and reach for objects, such as, food that is nearby

• Shows strong reaction to new smells and tastes

7-9 Months 

Motor Skills:

• Sits without support

• Sits and reaches for toys without falling

• Moves from tummy or back into sitting

• Starts to draw knees up and rock, crawl like a pro

• Able to stand and step with assistance

• Turns head to visually track objects while sitting

• Can support their weight pull up hold onto furniture 

• Picks up small objects with thumbs and fingers

• In simple play imitates others

Sensory:

• Enjoys a variety of movements – bouncing up and down, rocking back and forth

• Explores and examines an object using both hands and mouth

• Turns several pages of a chunky (board) book at once

• Experiments with the amount of force needed to pick up different objects

• Focuses on objects near and far

• Investigates shapes, sizes, and textures of toys and surroundings

• Observes environment from a variety of positions – while lying on back or tummy, sitting, crawling, and standing with assistance

Communication:

• Uses increased variety of sounds and syllable combinations in babbling

• Looks at familiar objects and people when named

• Recognizes sound of their name

• Participates in two-way communication

• Follows some routine commands when paired with gestures

• Shows recognition of commonly used words

• Simple gestures, e.g. shaking head for “no”

• Imitates sounds

Feeding:

• In a highchair, holds and drinks from a bottle

• Begins to eat thicker pureed and mashed table foods

• Enjoys chew toys that can massage sore and swollen gums during teething

• Stays full longer after eating

• Starts to look and reach for objects, such as, food that is nearby

• Shows strong reaction to new smells and tastes

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10-12 Months 

Motor Skills:

• Pulls to stand and cruises along furniture

• Stands alone and takes several independent steps

• Moves in and out of various positions to explore environment and get desired toys

• Maintains balance in sitting when throwing objects

• Claps hands

• Releases objects into a container with a large opening

• Uses thumb and pointer finger to pick up tiny objects

Sensory:

• Enjoys listening to songs

• Explores toys with fingers and mouth

• Crawls to or away from objects baby sees in the distance

Communication:

• Meaningfully uses “mama” or “dada”

• Responds to simple directions, e.g. “Come here”

• Produces long strings of gibberish (jargoning) in social communication

• Says one or two words

• Imitates speech sounds

• Babbling has sounds and rhythms of speech

• Pays attention to where you are looking and pointing

• Responds to “no”

• Begins using hand movements to communicate wants and needs, e.g. reaches to be picked up

Feeding:

• Finger feeds self

• Eating an increasing variety of food

• Begins to use an open cup

• Ready to try soft-cooked vegetables, soft fruits, and finger foods (banana slices, cooked pasta)

• Might be ready to start self feeding with utensils

• Enjoys a greater variety of smells and tastes

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Important Experiences and Activities:

• Interactive Play: Engaging in play that encourages movement, such as rolling a ball, stacking blocks, and playing with toys that make noise.

• Reading and Talking: Continuously reading to and talking with the baby helps with language development and bonding. Repetition of words and phrases is beneficial.

• Safety and Exploration: Creating a safe environment for exploration is crucial. Baby-proofing the home allows them to move and explore safely.

• Social Interaction: Providing opportunities for the baby to interact with other children and adults helps develop social skills and emotional intelligence.