Milestones

Getting to know your child’s milestones is as simple as playing with your child.

Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “hi” are called developmental milestones. As children grow, they reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move. While all children grow and change at their own rate, experts on child development target a window of time when a child may reach each milestone.

To review milestones below, click on the age you want to learn more about.

6 Months

Communication	Plays with sounds, including grunts and growling Makes sounds beginning with consonants, i.e. ka, ga, ba, da
Gross Motor	Rolls back to tummy While you hold both hands, they support their own weight while standing
Fine Motor	Picks up small toy and holds in center of hand Tries to pick up small foods with a raking motion
Problem Solving	Reaches for a toy with both hands while sitting Tries to get a toy they can see while on their back Passes a toy back and forth from one hand to the other
Personal Social	Plays with self in mirror Plays with feet
Talk to Doctor If	If movements are not symmetrical Shows no affection for caregivers Doesn’t try to reach for objects Doesn’t respond to sounds Struggles getting items to mouth Doesn’t roll in either direction Seems stiff or floppy

Learn more with a Developmental Screening

To get a more in-depth picture of how your child is developing, we invite you to take a free developmental screening.

Start Screening

Making Meaning from a Screening

After you complete the screening, you may have questions. One in six children have developmental concerns that would benefit from follow up. Research has shown that the sooner the developmental services are started, the better the outcome. There are many services that can support a child’s development, including speech therapy, physical therapy, and developmentally appropriate social activities.

Talking with their health care provider about your concerns can help you determine the best next steps. Your child’s daycare or preschool can also be a partner in supporting your child’s development.

At any time in the process, Help Me Grow is here to walk you through the screening results and to answer your questions.

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