Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Help Me Grow's Developmental Milestone Guideline



CMOTC mom Kathleen P. found this great resource to share with everyone. It is a general developmental milestone guideline for children from birth to two years of age. This particular list came from the Help Me Grow website and is what they use as their guideline for early intervention as well. What a great resource for any mom to have; thank you Kathleen!

To add my two cents, speaking as a mom of twins who have developmental delays and one with Apraxia of speech, one of the best things I ever did was contact the Help Me Grow when I suspected delays at three months of age based on this guideline. The program is wonderful and the team of therapists that we worked with from four months to three years (when the program ends) were just fabulous and very caring with my children (and us). Our Early Intervention Specialist was a great resource and also so supportive. I highly recommend that you contact your county's Help Me Grow program if you suspect any issues or developmental delays. They will come out and assess your child and determine if there is indeed a delay or issue. If there is, your child(ren) will qualify for the program which is free (funded by our tax dollars) and offers so many valuable resources, support and help for your child. This program isn't just for children with simple developmental delays, it is for any child in need such as a known like Down's Syndrome or a medical condition that delays your child (like cancer or heart conditions). All children who need therapy and services qualify. To find your county's Help Me Grow Program click here. Early intervention is key.

We also have a great post on the blog, "When twins need "intervention" developmentally", written by CMOTC mom Meghan A. that outlines some resources available to you, which includes the Help Me Grow program. ~ Wendy

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Birth to Two Years - Guideline for Developmental Milestones published from the Help Me Grow website.

Age one month

  • Raises head slightly off floor or bed when lying on stomach
  • Holds head up momentarily when supported
  • Briefly watches and follows object with eyes
  • Avoids mildly annoying sensations (placement of cloth on face)
  • Some "Noise in Throat" sounds

Age two months

  • Hold head erect, bobbing, when supported in sitting position
  • Follows moving person with eyes
  • Imitates or responds to smiling person with occasional smile
  • Vocalizes

Age three months

  • Lifts head and chest when lying on stomach
  • Vigorous body movement
  • Head control is improving
  • Recognizes breast or bottle
  • Coos
  • Chuckles

Social and emotional development between zero to four months:

  • communicate by crying
  • enjoy being cuddled
  • smile spontaneously

Age four months:


  • Good head control
  • Rolls from side to side
  • Takes object, such as a rattle, held near hand
  • May begin reaching
  • Follows moving object when held in sitting position
  • Laughs aloud
  • Enjoys play

Social and emotional development between four to nine months:

  • cry, smile, kick, coo, laugh to attract attention
  • respond differently to strangers (stranger anxiety, 8 months)


Age six months:

  • Sits with minimal support
  • Rolls from back to stomach
  • Transfers object from hand to hand and from hand to mouth
  • Babbles-more than two sounds
Overall during birth to six months, baby will:
  • I smile
  • I look at faces
  • I listen to voices or noises
  • I lift my head when I’m on my tummy
  • I follow moving objects with my eyes
  • I hold a rattle or toy
  • I babble or coo
  • I roll over
  • I pull to sitting holding someone’s fingers
  • I recognize and reach for Mommy
Age nine months:
  • Sits alone
  • Changes position without falling
  • Plays with 2 objects at the same time
  • Unwraps block
  • Says Mama and Baba
Social and emotional development, ten to twelve months:

  • Pay attention to his or her name
  • Tease and test parent's limits
  • Learn to cooperate
  • Display separation anxiety and stranger anxiety
  • Be curious


Overall during six months to one year, baby will:

  • I sit alone
  • I say "Mama" or "Dada"
  • I crawl
  • I clap my hands
  • I recognize familiar words
  • I copy speech sounds
  • I pull myself to stand
  • I use my fingers to eat some foods
  • I understand "No"
  • I take steps with help
  • I say "peek-a-boo"
One year to eighteen months:

  • I walk alone
  • I say several words
  • I try to feed myself with a spoon
  • I stack 2 or more blocks
  • I follow simple directions such as "bring your shoes"
  • I scribble on paper
  • I run and jump
  • I turn pages in a book
  • I point to 3-5 pictures in a book

Eighteen months to two years:

  • I put 2-3 words together
  • I pedal my tricycle
  • I balance on one foot
  • I begin to use the toilet or potty
  • I like to be "the boss"
  • I ask a lot of questions
  • I jump with both feet
  • I tell you how I feel (sad, mad)
  • I climb the stairs
  • I copy circles or lines
  • I understand "In", "On", "Out"

Social and emotional development

One to two years:

  • Begin to become independent
  • May become angry if activities are interrupted
  • Respond to simple commands by adult
  • Show anger through aggressive behavior
  • Have temper tantrums

Two to three years:

  • Defend possessions, but is beginning to share
  • Participate in simple group activity
  • Be loving, engaging, enthusiastic and appreciative
  • AND explosive, tense, rigid, insecure, and easily frustrated

Seek help for your child if:
  • Your baby is not sleeping or eating well on a continuous basis
  • You think your young child may hurt self or others (is angry or excessively destructive)
  • Your young child is very sad, depressed or nervous most of the time
  • Your child's play is always aggressive
  • Your child's behavior suddenly changes (begins to act very differently)
  • You have a concern about your child's development (such as walking, talking)
  • Your child regresses (goes back) to an earlier behavior
  • Your child is unusually advanced in sexual behavior
  • Your young child has a medical condition that could affect emotional or physical growth
  • Your child has lead poisoning

These are only guidelines. You are the best judge of when you or your child needs help. Your doctor and other professionals can help with any concerns you may have.

The Help Me Grow program is in each county and provides developmental screenings and evaluations (including emotional development evaluations) for children birth to three. Help Me Grow can connect you to community resources that will meet your child's needs. Ongoing home visiting services are also offered that help to address your needs.

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