1 MONTH

Large Muscle
Does not control arm and leg movements since movements are still reflexive.
Needs support for head. Without support, head will flop over and backward.
Lifts head briefly from surface in order to turn head from side to side when lying on tummy.
Twitches whole body when crying.

Small Muscle
Keeps hands fisted or slightly opened.
May hold on to object if placed in open hand, but drops it quickly.
Follows moving object with eyes briefly if the object is within the line of vision.

2 MONTHS

Large Muscle
Can keep head in midposition of body when lying on tummy.
Can hold head up for a few minutes.
Can hold head while lying on back.
Cycles arms and legs smoothly. Movements are still mainly reflexive, but are becoming voluntary.

Small Muscle
Grasps objects in reflexive movements, but grasps are becoming voluntary.
May hold object longer, but drops object after a few moments.
Uses improved vision to look at objects more closely and for a longer time.

3 MONTHS

Large Muscle
Switches from reflexive to voluntary body movements.
Keeps head in midposition so posture is symmetrical when lying on back.
Moves arm and leg on one side of body in unison, then moves the other arm and leg in unison.
Can move arms together or legs together.
Turns head vigorously.
Can hold the chest up and keep head erect for a few seconds when lying on tummy.
Can lift head for several minutes.
Can sit briefly, with support.

Small Muscle
Keeps hands open most of the time. The grasp reflex is fading.
Begins to control arm and hand movements.
Begins to swipe at objects such as a cradle gym and may accidentally hit object with fists.

4 MONTHS

Large Muscle

Can bend to touch feet with hands when lying on back.
On tummy, can lift head and chest from surface, using arms for support.
Can rock like an airplane on tummy, with arms and legs extended and back arched.
On tummy, may roll from side to side.
Can maintain a sitting position (with head erect and steady) for several minutes if given proper support.

Small Muscle
Uses hands more skillfully.
Begins to use mitten grasp for grabbing objects.
Looks from object to hands to object.
Swipes at objects, gradually improving aim.

5 MONTHS

Large Muscle

On back, can lift head and shoulders off surface.
Can roll from tummy to back.
On tummy, lifts head and chest high off surface.
Can rock, twist, roll, and kick to change position on surface while on tummy.
When supported under arms, stands and moves body up and down, stamping feet alternately.
Helps when being pulled to a sitting position.
Can sit supported for 15 to 30 minutes with firm back.
In sitting position, keeps head steady and erect.

Small Muscle
Reaches for objects such as the cradle gym with good coordination and aim.
Begins to grasp objects with thumb and fingers.
Grabs objects with either hand.
Transfers objects from one hand to the other , dropping objects often.
Can grasp cover to pull it off when face is covered being "peek-a-boo" game.

During the first 12 months of life, infants grow to one and one-half times their height at birth, and they triple their birth weight. In general, boys are slightly taller and heavier than girls.

The approximate change and height is from 20 - 21 inches to 30 - 31 inches (from 50 - 53 cm to 76 - 79 cm). The approximate change in weight is from 7 - 7 1/2 pounds to 21 - 22 pounds (from 3.1 - 3.5 kg to 9.5-10 kg).

6 MONTHS

Large Muscle
Rolls from back to tummy.
Turns and twists in all directions, when on back or tummy.
On tummy, moves by pushing with legs and reaching with arms (creeping).
Gets up on hands and knees in a crouching position, but then may fall forward.
Is able to stand, while supported.
In sitting position, sits with slight support and maintains balance.
Is able to lean foward or to side while in sitting position.
Is able to sit in walker or high chair and use arms to reach for objects.
If unsupported in sitting position, may slump forwad on hands for balance.
May be able to sit unsupported for short periods of time.

Small Muscle
Is able to rotate wrists to turn and manipulate objects.
Reaches with one arm and grasps object with hand. Then transfers object to other hand. Then reaches for another object.
Holds an object in each hand.
Learns to drop objects at will.
Begins eating with fingers.

7 MONTHS

Large Muscle
Crawls awkwardly, combining movements on tummy and knees.
When pulled to a standing position, helps by keeping legs straight and supporting own weight.
Likes to bounce when in standing position.
May try to pull self up to a standing position.
Is able to sit alone for several minutes or with slight support for longer periods of time.
Can lean over and reach while in sitting position.
In walker, and is able to push with legs to move in all directions.
May be able to move from the lying position to a sitting position.

Small Muscle
Has mastered grasping by using thumb in opposition to fingers.
Holds an object in each hand. Brings objects together with banging noises.
Keeps objects in hands much of the time.
Fingers, manipulates, and rattles objects repeatedly.

8 MONTHS

Large Muscle
Sits alone, steadily, for longer periods of time.
On tummy, pushes up easily to a crawling position.
Crawls.
May carry objects in one hand or both hands while crawling.
Is able to pull self up to a standing position by holding onto crib or furniture.
May need help in getting down from standing position.
Achieves sitting position by pushing up with arms.

Small Muscle
Learns pincer grip, using just the thumb and forefinger.
Is able to pick up small objects and string.

9 MONTHS

Large Muscle
Sits alone.
Develops own style of crawling.
Can control speed while crawling, going faster or slower.
May try to crawl up stairs.
May be able to achieve a standing position without holding on to furniture.
Is able to move from a standing position to a sitting position.
May be able to move along furniture, touching it for support ("cruising").

Small Muscle
Uses index finger to point, to lead, and to poke.
May be able to build a tower of two blocks.
Waves "bye-bye."

10 MONTHS

Large Muscle
May be able to stand by self, without hanging on to furniture.
Varies crawling and standing to achieve goals.
Step sideways along furniture in "cruising" motion.
Likes to walk: holding on to parents' hands.
Climbs up on chairs and other furniture.
Stands with little support.

Small Muscle
Differentiates use of hands, holding with one while maneuvering with the other.
Carries two small objects in one hand.
Can release grasped object instead of just dropping it.

11 MONTHS

Large Muscle
Stands alone.
Can stand against support and wave.
Can stand against support and lean over.
May be able to climb out of crib or playpen.
Is able to squat and stoop.
Is able to stand and pick up objects.
May push chair ahead of self for support while walking.
Likes to climb stairs.
Likes to follow parent; will "cruise" or crawl fast to reach parent.

Small Muscle
Uses hands together or separately.
Likes to grab feeding utensils and cup.
Likes to "squish" food in hands.
May carry spoon to mouth in feeding attempt.
Takes off shoes and socks.

12 MONTHS

Large Muscle
May still prefer crawling to walking for speed, but combines both.
Many add maneuvers to walking around furniture, backing away, carrying toys, etc.
May take steps to parent, falling into arms when reaching parent.
Climbs in and out of playpen and crib.
Climbs up and down stairs.
In tub, makes swimming movements in water.

Small Muscle
Masters pincer grip.
May show preference for one hand.
May be able to pull off clothing.
Can take lids off containers.