BABIES MAY

• Demonstrate reflexes such as grasping a
  finger and toes fanning when bottom of foot is stroked.
• Learn how to self sooth with sucking and responds to signals for sleep (learns to sleep in bassinet, cradle or crib).
• Use new skills in different ways. For example, learns the pincer grasp and uses it on many different materials.

YOU CAN

• Support baby with self-regulation, such as putting baby in crib when drowsy and letting him/her go to sleep without help.
• Show enthusiasm and encouragement when child tries new motor activities.
• Actively play with baby every day.
• Provide “tummy time” with a small mirror or object to encourage baby to develop muscles.
• Recognize and respond to cues from baby for a break (baby looking away from eye contact, yawning).

BABIES MAY

• Open and close fingers.
• Gain control of arm and leg movements.
• Kick legs and bat at dangling objects with hands.
• Reach for feet and bring them to mouth.
• Transfer objects from hand to hand.
• Clap hands.
• Roll over.
• Once able to roll over, lift head and chest while on tummy.
• Move into sitting position.
• Sit with support and later, sit without support.
• Rock back and forth on hands and knees and later, crawl.

YOU CAN

• Play interactive games and sing songs from child’s home cultural background that involve child’s hands and feet.
• Provide opportunities for child to move freely during waking hours.
• Encourage active movement of arms and legs.
• Encourage baby’s effort to attain new positions by reaching, kicking, rolling, sitting and creeping.

BABIES MAY

• Show alertness during waking periods, which increases with age.
• Cry persistently until needs are met.
• Lift head, make facial expressions.
• Initiate active play, exploring and interacting with environment.
• Sustain physical activity for at least three to five minutes at a time (recognizing the unique capabilities of the child).
• Sustain strength for increased periods of time as child ages.

YOU CAN

• Provide child with several hours of unstructured movement every day.
• Provide babies with regular nap and bedtime routines.
• Play games together that require movement and physical activity.
• Once able to roll over, place young infant every day on floor to encourage tummy time to strengthen muscles.
• Limit the time a baby spends in equipment that restricts movement such as strollers, swings.
• If using jumpers, bouncers or walkers, closely supervise for safety.
• Get to their level; crawl, roll, run. Play rough and tumble games, while still keeping the baby safe.

BABIES MAY

• Track objects with eyes.
• Grasp caregivers’ fingers.
• Consistently reach for toys, objects, and bottles with both hands.
• Grasp objects with fingers and palm.
• Transfer small objects from hand to hand.
• Pick up object with thumb and forefinger.

YOU CAN

• Hold items out for babies to grasp.
• Put babies on floor with different items to reach for (rattles, books, toys).
• Play hand games with child (demonstrate Pat-a-Cake).
• Give child appropriate finger foods to eat (dry cereal, cooked vegetables).

BABIES MAY

• Respond by turning toward lights, sound, movement, and touch.
• Focus eyes on near and far objects.
• Enjoy gentle swinging and rocking.
• Enjoy seeing themselves in the mirror.
• Calm with caregiver assistance.
• Explore the environment with mouth and hands.
• Listen to music, nature and animal sounds.
• Move objects from one hand to the other.

YOU CAN

• Make sure child receives routine vision and hearing screenings.
• Monitor child’s environment for noise level (avoid putting electronic toys in crib, keep loud noises away from infant’s ears).
• Play with babies by responding to their cues for sounds, sights and touch.
• Keep the sleeping space free from noise or visual stimulation.
• Place a mobile near infant’s crib, but safely out of reach to stimulate vision and other senses.
• Provide time daily for child to move freely on the floor in a safe environment.
• Gently rock and swing child using your body, rocking chairs, or play structures.
• Avoid prolonged periods in highchairs or devices
  that restrict movement (mechanical swings, carriers).
• Provide materials and objects of various textures, shapes, colors, smells, and sounds.
• Offer freedom of movement so baby can explore sights and sounds of interest.
• Provides a variety of flavors and tastes.
• Offer objects safe for babies to mouth.

BABIES MAY

• Relax during bathing routines.
• Respond to talking during diaper changing routines.
• Allow you to wipe their gums after feeding.
• Indicate anticipation of feeding on seeing breast, bottle, or food.
• Assist caregiver with holding bottle, later grasps a cup, then eats with fingers.
• Demonstrate increasing ability to self-soothe and fall asleep.

BABIES MAY

• Breast feed or bottle feed, (family preference).
• Regulate when, how much, and how fast they eat.
• Begin to try a variety of nutritious foods from all food groups, after 6 months of age.
• Explore food with fingers, after 6 months.
• Show interest in new foods.

YOU CAN

• Understand that babies cry and respond to their needs. Takes care of self – that may mean leaving a crying baby in a crib to cry. Not shake a baby – just put him/her down in a safe place.
• Avoid tying pacifiers to children, to prevent strangulation.
• Always put infant to sleep on his/her back.
• Have infants in their own bed / don’t sleep with an infant.

Build on success – give babies finger food, allow water play for older children with cups and bowls, have children help with simple cooking projects as they get older.

BABIES MAY

• Respond to danger cues from caregivers.
• Understand difference between primary caregivers and strangers.

YOU CAN

• Understand that babies cry and responds to their needs. Takes care of self – that may mean leaving a crying baby in a crib to cry. Does not shake a baby – just puts him/her down in a safe place.
• Avoid tying pacifiers to children, to prevent strangulation.
• Always put infant to sleep on his/her back.
• Have infants in their own bed / don’t sleep with an infant.

• Keep guns, poisons, matches and dangerous tools away from children, using locks, closed cabinets or gun safes.
• Make sure child uses age- and weight-appropriate car seat when riding in vehicles (gets help installing car seats).
• Use personal flotation devices in all types of boats.
• Keep children safe from bodies of water (rivers, ocean, bathtubs, water tanks, mud puddles, etc.).
• Dress children appropriately for the weather (including using insect repellant and sun screen (read instructions regarding age of child).
• Provide especially close supervision during baths, while outside, and in the kitchen.
• Keep balloons away from children through age 5 due to choking hazard (except for mylar balloons).
• Always use adult seat belts, life jackets, bike helmets and dress appropriately for the weather so child wants to imitate your behavior with car seat, life jackets, etc.
• Encourage risk-taking behaviors (using slides, climbing on chairs) with supervision as child becomes more competent. Gradually reduce support as child becomes more capable.