Young children learn and develop differently.  One baby may walk earlier than another, while another baby might talk first. Often, these differences will even out. But, some children will need extra help.

Look for signs that your infant or toddler might need extra help. Early help makes a difference! If your child does have a problem, the earlier you get help, the better.

At three months of age, most babies:

• turn their heads towards bright colors and lights
• move both eyes in the same direction together
• recognize bottle or breast
• respond to their mother's voice
• make cooing sounds
• bring their hands together
• wiggle and kick with arms and legs
• lift head when on stomach
• become quiet in response to sound, especially speech smile

At six months of age, most babies:

• follow moving objects with their eyes
• turn toward the source of normal sound
• reach for objects and pick them up
• switch toys from one hand to the other
• play with their toes
• help hold the bottle during feeding
• recognize familiar faces
• imitate speech sounds
• respond to soft sounds, especially talking
• roll over

At twelve months of age, most babies:

• get to a sitting position
• pull to a standing position
• stand briefly with out support
• crawl
• imitate adults using a cup or telephone
• play peek-a-boo and patty cake
• wave bye-bye
• put objects in a container
• say at least one word
• make "ma-ma" or "da-da" sounds

At 1 1/2 years of  age, most babies:

• Like to push and pull objects
• say at least 6 words
• follow simple directions ("Bring the ball")
• pull off shoes, socks and mittens
• can point to a picture that you name in a book
• feed themselves
• make marks on paper with crayons
• walk without help
• walk backwards
• point, make sounds or try to use words to ask for things
• say "no," shake their head or push away things they don't want

At two years of age, most babies:

• use two-to-three word sentences
• say about 50 words
• recognize familiar pictures
• kick a ball forward
• feed themselves with a spoon
• demand a lot of your attention
• turn 2-3 pages at a time
• like to imitate their parent
• identify hair, eyes, ears and nose by pointing
• build a tower of four blocks
• show affection

At three years of age, most babies:

• throw a ball overhand
• ride a tricycle
• put on their shoes
• open the door
• turn one page at a time
• play with other children for a few minutes
• repeat common rhymes
• use three-to-five word sentences
• name at least one color correctly

Other Resources:
A Parent's Guide for Children with Special Needs - Birth to Age Three (NYSDOH)