Ages and Stages

Ages and stages of development, baby growth chart

During your baby's first year, make sure you attend all his routine health and development check-ups with your health visitor and doctor. These are designed to chart your baby's growth and development, catch any problems early on and provide you with an opportunity to discuss any worries you may have.

When your baby is weighed and measured, the results are recorded and plotted onto a growth chart in his red book. Do remember, however, that there's no such thing as an average baby - so the developmental guidelines on our ages and stages chart are just that: guidelines. Don't worry if your baby reaches a stage later or earlier than suggested - 'normal' covers a very wide range.

If you do want to speak to an expert, The Baby Show features a Health Professional Advice Centre where you can chat to an experienced health visitor and get advice and reassurance.

AGE	MOBILITY	SPEECH & HEARING	HANDLING SKILLS	SOCIAL SKILLS	MENTAL DEVELOPMENT
0-3 months	Your baby supports his/her own head by 3 months.	Small grunts, burbles and coos after 2-3 months.	Holds a rattle placed in his/her hand by 3 months.	Smiles by 6 weeks.	Watches his/her hands and learns about movement.
3-6 months	Holds head off mat if lying on his front by 4-5 months (never leave him unsupervised on his front or lay him on his front to sleep) Sits (supported) by 6 months.	Short, happy squealing sounds. Says ah-goo. Blows bubbles by 6 months.	Shakes a rattle by 4 months. Transfers objects from one hand to the other by 6 months.	Starts to be shy with strangers at around 6 months. Touches your face as a greeting by 6 months.	Curiosity about surroundings emerges by 4 months. May start to look at things very closely.
6-12 months	Sits unsupported by 8 months. Crawls at 8-10 months. Stands (supported) at 10-12 months. May cruise round the furniture from 11-12 months.	Blows raspberries by 10 months. Says da and ma by 6-8 months and double syllables like dada by 8-10 months. Babbling by 12 months.	Drops one toy to pick up another. Feeds himself with finger food by 8 months. Picks up small objects (peas, raisins) with finger and thumb by 12 months.	Enjoys a joke from around 8-10 months. Cuddles and holds on to you from around 12 months.	Interested in books. Starts to respond to his own name. Copies some of your actions. Points to objects from around 10 months.
12-24 months	Still perfecting the art of balance and walking at 12-14 months. 14-18 months able to walk independently. 18-24 months toddlers learn to run, walk backwards and climb upstairs holding hands. Kicks or throws a ball and can move his body in time to music.	Points to body parts and pictures in a book when you name them. Follow simple commands ("close the lid") and understand simple questions ("where's the teddy?"). Listens to simple stories. Can ask 2-word questions like "where ball?", "what's that?".	Scribbles with crayon on paper (and any other surface!). Stacks blocks instead of just banging them and can use a spoon or fork when eating. Let your toddler have plenty of practice as these skills aren't mastered all at once. Can take off his own socks and shoes.	Likes to venture out on his own. Has strong affinity for parents and is still often stranger-shy. May develop an attachment to a comfort object such as teddy or blanket. Becomes more aware of other people's emotions.	Enjoys listening to you singing songs and may try to join in. She may stop taking one of her two naps between ages 18 and 24 months, staying awake for longer periods and being more alert. At around 24 months baby may become interested in toilet training.

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