The list below includes some skills typical of a child’s development from infancy through age 5. Keep in mind, it’s important to remember that children may vary in their development.
1 to 3 months
Babies like to:
Listen to musical sounds
Stare at movement and light
Be held and rocked
Reach/feel with open hands
Give your baby:
Soft musical toys/rattles
Lamps throwing light patterns
Your arms, singing, smiling
4 to 6 months
Babies like to:
Shake, feel and bang things
Sit with support
Give your baby:
Crib gym
Cups, spoons and pot lids
High chair suction toys
7 to 9 months
Babies like to:
Roll over/pivot on stomach
Throw, wave and bang toys
Gum objects
Give your baby:
Bathtub toys
Teether and gumming toys
Space to roll around
10 to 12 months
Babies like to:
Play pat-a-cake
Pull up and get back down
Place things where they’re wanted
Give your baby:
Motion toys
Baking tins and clothes pins
Nested plastic cups
1 year to 15 months
Babies like to:
Use one or two words
Be hugged
Try feeding themselves
Give your baby:
Lots of conversation
Personal dish, cup and spoon
You on the floor
16 months to 2 years
Babies like to:
Get into everything
Identify parts of themselves
Fetch and carry
Turn pages
Give your baby:
A childproof house
A shape sorting box
A toy telephone
Picture books
2 years to 30 months
Babies like to:
Help with housework
Kick a large ball
Play on riding toys
Give your baby:
Large balls and push toys
Tricycle or big wheel
Shelves to put things away
30 months to 3 years
Children like to:
Put clothing on
Work with their fingers
Sing songs and repeat rhymes
Give your child:
Big crayons and paper
Toy record player
Construction sets
3 to 4 years
Children like to:
Cut with rounded scissors
Play games with other children
Play with sand and water
Give your child:
More responsibility
Things to cut and paste
Backyard pool or sandbox
4 to 5 years
Children like to:
Play ball
Repeat nursery rhymes
Dress themselves
Sing songs
Give your child:
Balls of different sizes
Time to dress themselves
Love and affection
If you have any questions concerning your child’s development, contact your pediatrician and/or ask about an early intervention program, such as that provided by Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center (call 216-698-7500 for information).
