Milestones of Development 1-4 Months
This is how you as a parent can make your child smarter.
| Area of Development | Skill Level | Play Activities |
| Hands | grasps objects with entire hand; strength insufficient to hold items | Put rings and rattles in hand |
| Hands | holds hands in an open or semi-open position | |
| Body | raises head and upper body on arms when in prone position | Tap babies forehead and talk |
| Body |
Turns head to side when in face up position; near the end of this periodm head is held erect and in line with the body. |
Move a rattle from side to side to watch baby move with the object |
| Body | upper body parts are more active: clasps hands above face, waves arms about, reaches for objects | Do patty cake |
| Body | At first, infant rolls from front to back by turning head to one side and allowing trunk to follow; later, infant rolls onto its side. Near the end of this period, infant can roll from front to back to side at will | Play "Rock-a-bye" baby |
| Hearing | Reacts to (stops whimpering, startles, turns head) sounds such as a voice, rattle of a spoon, ringing of a bell. | Sing songs, use rattles that make sound and watch how baby reacts. |
| Talking/Communication | Coordinates vocalizing, looking, and body movements in face-to-face exchanges with parent or caregiver; can follow and lead in keeping communication going. |
Imitate baby's sounds |
| Talking/Communication | babbles or coos when spoken to or smiled at | Imitate baby's sounds |
| Dressing | may enjoy bath; kicks, laughs and splashes | |
| Feeding/Eating | Needs only a little assistance in getting nipple to mouth; beginning to help by using own hands to guide nipple | |
| Feeding/Eating | begins fussing before anticipated feeding times; does not always cry to signal the need to eat | Feed the baby |
| Sleeping | often falls asleep for the night right after the evening feeding | Read books to baby |
| Sleeping | thumbsucking may begin during this period | |
| Sleeping | Entertains self before falling asleep: 'talks', plays with hands, jiggles crib. | Musical mobiles are a great resource for this |
| Toileting | has one or two bowel movements per day; frequently skips a day | |
| Attachment | stops crying when parent or caregiver comes near | Talk to baby; say "Hello" |
| Attachment | recognizes and reaches out to familiar objects and faces; reacts by waving arms and squealing with excitement | Smile and imitate baby's sounds |
| Emotional | smiles in response to a friendly face or voices | Smile and imitate baby's sounds |
| Emotional | enjoys familiar routines, such as being bathed and having diaper changed | Baby's like schedules |
| Emotional | delights in play that involves gentle tickling, laughing, and jiggling | Bounce the baby gently |
| Emotional | Reacts differently to adult voices, may frown or look anxious if voices are loud, angry, or unfamiliar. | |
| Imitation | uses eyes to imitate, maintain, or terminate and avoid interactions | |
| Social | enjoys being held and cuddles in times other than feeding and bedtime | Rock your baby and read to her/him. |
| Social | appears happy when awake and alone (for short periods of time) | Should learn solitary play |
| Social | likes being talked to | Always talk to your baby |
| Temperament | spends much less time crying | |
| Temperament | can entertain self by playing with fingers, hands, and toes | |
