The first three years of your baby’s life are very important. Infants and toddlers are learning to walk, talk, recognize people and do many other things. Parents are often the first to notice when their child is not learning or growing like other babies. This information outlines what to expect from your child during the ages from birth to three years old.

Some infants and toddlers may have trouble developing certain skills. If you have any concerns about your baby, learn more about our referral process or call the Infant & Toddler Connection of Fairfax-Falls Church at 703-246-7121.

We’re here to help.

Answer Yes or No for each question.

• Does your baby always ride in a car seat when riding in a car?
• Do you have a regular place to go for your baby’s health care (pediatrician, family doctor, public health clinic)?

Here’s a sample list of what babies are usually able to do at different ages.

By 3 Months Old

• Does your baby smile back at you when you smile, talk, or gently touch her face?
• Is your baby making cooing sounds like “ooh” or “aah”?
• Does your baby seem surprised when she hears loud noises?
• Does your baby lift her head and chest when lying on her tummy?
• Does your baby play with her hands by touching them together or putting them in her mouth?
• Does your baby watch you when you walk around the room?
• Has your baby seen the doctor at least two times for well-baby checkups?

• Does your baby laugh and babble, like saying “bababa” or “dadada”?
• Does your baby try to explore toys by putting them in his mouth?
• Does your baby roll from his back to his tummy?
• Does your baby turn his head toward sounds like your voice, radio or TV?
• Does your baby reach for and hold a toy?
• Has your baby had at least one well-baby checkup in the last three months?

• Does your baby sit by herself without falling?
• Does your baby look for a toy when she sees you drop it?
• Does your baby hold something in each hand at the same time?
• Does your baby scoot or crawl across the floor on her tummy?
• Does your baby pull up to stand by holding on to furniture?
• Does your baby shake her head “No”?
• Has your baby seen the doctor at least one time for a well-baby checkup since she was six months old?

• Does your baby look at the right thing when you say words like “bottle”, “ball” or “cup”?
• Does your baby get on his hands and knees to crawl?
• Does your baby say “Mama” or “Dada” to the right person?
• Does your baby find a toy when he sees you hide it?
• Is your baby playing peek-a-boo or waving bye-bye after he sees you do it?
• Does your baby look at pictures in a book?
• Does your baby take steps when holding on to furniture?
• Does your baby pick up finger foods like Cheerios or raisins using the thumb and one finger?
• Has your baby seen the doctor at least one time for a well-baby checkup in the last nine months?

• Does your baby point to or ask for things she wants?
• Does your baby feed herself with her fingers?
• Does your baby walk without help?
• Does your baby say any words other than “Mama” or “Dada”?
• Does your baby scribble on paper using crayons or pencils?
• Has your baby seen the doctor for her 12- month well-baby checkup?

• Does your baby hold and drink from a cup?
• Does your baby point to body parts like “eyes”, “nose” and “mouth” when you name them?
• Does your baby like to put things in and out of containers?
• Does your baby say words to tell you what he wants?
• Does your baby like to look at books and turn pages by himself?
• Has your baby seen the doctor for a 15-month well-baby checkup?

By 24 Months (2 years old)

• Does your child stack things on top of one another?
• Does your child put words together like, “Daddy shoe”, “Go bye-bye”, “See car”?
• Does your child point to pictures in a book when you name them?
• Does your child take off her sweater, socks or hat by herself?
• Has your child had her 18-month well-baby checkup?

• Does your child walk up stairs?
• Does your child understand simple requests like, “Give me one cracker” or “Bring me one crayon”?
• Does your child put three words together like, “I want juice”?
• Does your child make a straight line with a crayon or pencil after you do it?
• Does your child use pronouns like “I”, “you” and “me”?
• Does your child turn the pages of a book, one at a time?
• Has your child seen the doctor for a 24-month checkup?

• Can your child tell you her first name?
• Does your child unbutton buttons?
• Does your child jump up and down?
• Does your child ask questions?
• Does your child understand words like “in”, “out” and “behind”?
• Does your child follow simple two-step directions like, “Go to your room and bring me a diaper”?

While all infants and toddlers learn at their own pace, some may need a little extra help to develop certain skills.