During the first year infants develop quickly, meeting many milestones of early growth. Learn how to recognize these stages and what you can do to help support your infant’s growth and development.
Being a parent or caregiver of an infant can be fun and a lot of hard work. Although caring for a baby may seem like an endless cycle of feeding, soothing, and diapering, the first year of a baby’s life is a time for rapid growth and development (Figure 1). By their first birthday, many infants are beginning to crawl and are even taking their first steps. It’s a delight to hear their cooing, babbling, and laughter as they imitate adults and learn to express themselves.
Each day in the life of an infant is filled with observation, exploration, and discovery. To help encourage a responsive and stimulating environment during this first year, keep in mind the following general developmental milestones

Brand, Gail L.

Crandall, Leslie

Durden, Tonia Renee

Fox, Marilyn S

Guzman, Jacqueline M.

Nelson, Mary E

Pitt, RaSheema

Poppe, Lisa M

Vonderohe, Ruth E

Werth, LaDonna A.

English

UNL | Libraries

University of Nebraska - Lincoln
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Faculty Publications from Nebraska Center for
Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools
Children, Youth, Families & Schools, Nebraska
Center for Research on
2011
Ages and Stages: Infant (0-12 Months) .G2103
Tonia Renee Durden
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, tdurden2@unl.edu
Gail L. Brand
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, gail.brand@unl.edu
Marilyn S. Fox
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Jacqueline M. Guzman
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, JGUZMAN2@UNL.EDU
Lisa M. Poppe
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, lisa.poppe@unl.edu
See next page for additional authors
Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cyfsfacpub
Part of the Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons, Social Work
Commons, and the Sociology Commons
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Children, Youth, Families & Schools, Nebraska Center for Research on at
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Publications from Nebraska Center for Research on
Children, Youth, Families, and Schools by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
Durden, Tonia Renee; Brand, Gail L.; Fox, Marilyn S.; Guzman, Jacqueline M.; Poppe, Lisa M.; Werth, LaDonna A.; Nelson, Mary E.;
Crandall, Leslie; Vonderohe, Ruth E.; and Pitt, RaSheema, "Ages and Stages: Infant (0-12 Months) .G2103" (2011). Faculty
Publications from Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools. 73.
http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cyfsfacpub/73
Authors
Tonia Renee Durden, Gail L. Brand, Marilyn S. Fox, Jacqueline M. Guzman, Lisa M. Poppe, LaDonna A.
Werth, Mary E. Nelson, Leslie Crandall, Ruth E. Vonderohe, and RaSheema Pitt
This article is available at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cyfsfacpub/73
®®
Know how. Know now.
 University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
G2103
Ages and Stages: Infant (0-12 Months)
Tonia R. Durden, Early Childhood Extension Specialist, and
Gail L. Brand, Marilyn S. Fox, Jacqueline M. Guzman, Lisa M. Poppe, LaDonna A. Werth, Mary E. Nelson, 
Leslie Crandall and Ruth E. Vonderohe, Extension Educators
Rasheema J. Pitt, Graduate Assistant in Research and Extension
During the first year infants develop quickly, 
meeting many milestones of early growth. Learn how 
to recognize these stages and what you can do to help 
support your infant’s growth and development. 
Being a parent or caregiver of an infant can be fun and a 
lot of hard work. Although caring for a baby may seem like 
an endless cycle of feeding, soothing, and diapering, the first 
year of a baby’s life is a time for rapid growth and development 
(Figure 1). By their first birthday, many infants are beginning 
to crawl and are even taking their first steps. It’s a delight to 
hear their cooing, babbling, and laughter as they imitate adults 
and learn to express themselves. 
Each day in the life of an infant is filled with observation, 
exploration, and discovery. To help encourage a responsive and 
stimulating environment during this first year, keep in mind 
the following general developmental milestones. 
Physical Development Milestones
By Three Months
• Raises head and lifts chin when lying on stomach and 
may begin to lift up on arms.
• Swipes at hanging objects, and grasps and shakes hand 
toys. Parents and caregivers should provide rattles, 
mobiles, or other toys to encourage this skill develop-
ment.
• Moves arms and legs and “bicycles” with feet.
By Eight Months
• Rolls both ways (back to front, front to back). Always 
be aware of safety and never leave an infant unattended 
where he/she could roll off something and be hurt.
• Sits alone steadily and stands with adult support.
• Uses thumb and finger to pick up an object such as 
small pieces of food or even dangerous items left on 
the floor or within their reach (pennies, bottle caps, 
etc.).
• Crawls backward and forward on stomach.
Figure 1. Infants develop quickly during the first year. While they may 
be shy or anxious around strangers, they will share their 
playfulness and laughter with people they know.
By Twelve Months
• Transfers objects, such as a small toy, from hand to 
hand
• Begins to stand and walk alone for short times
• Climbs stairs or other objects
Cognitive Development Milestones
By Three Months
• Explores with mouth and hands
• Follows moving objects such as a mobile and follows 
people and sounds with eyes and head
• Likes some toys better than others
By Eight Months
• Finds partially hidden objects
• Remembers familiar people and objects for short times
• Solves simple problems, such as making a toy bell ring
By Twelve Months
• Performs make-believe acts with his/her own body (for 
example, pretending to sleep)
• Imitates gestures
• Explores objects in a variety of ways (banging, shaking, 
dropping, throwing)
• Uses one word or makes up a word to express a whole 
thought
• Finger feeds himself or herself
Social and Emotional Development Milestones
By Three Months
• Develops a social smile
• Cries to communicate but then slowly begins to com-
municate more with face and body (for example, coos, 
babbles, and smiles)
• Uses sucking to help calm down
By Eight Months
• Is interested in mirror images
• Will respond to his/her name
• Begins to imitate actions, facial expressions, and sounds
By 12 Months
• Anxious or shy with strangers
• Has preferences for certain people and toys
• To gain attention, repeats sounds and gestures made 
by others
• Develops a sense of humor and laughs a lot
A Guide for Parents and Caregivers of Infants
Be responsive to changes in your baby’s feeding and 
sleeping patterns during the first year. For newborns, be sure 
to provide physical stimulation during their alert periods based 
on the baby’s preference (singing, feeding, snuggling, etc.).
• The first year of a baby’s life is critical in establishing 
feelings of trust and security. By six months babies 
are beginning to show a strong attachment to parents 
or caregivers through smiling and clinging. Create 
an affirming, caring, and responsive environment for 
infants by responding quickly and with warmth. When 
an infant is crying, hold and cuddle him or her. If you 
are a parent who will be using childcare, plan times 
for you and your baby to visit a new child care center 
or home. Spend significant time with caregivers prior 
to the first day at the child care facility.
• Allow babies space to move freely in a safe, open, 
baby-proof space.
• Play with baby! Playing with infants not only supports 
all areas of development, but is a great way to relieve 
parent and adult stress. The best time to play with an 
infant is when she or he is relaxed and alert.
• Provide realistic play props and guide older infants in 
using these to perform simple simulations: “Can you 
drink juice from the cup?”
• During the first year, babies rely on their five senses 
to make “sense” of their world. Create a multi-sensory 
play environment that includes toys of varying textures, 
colors, and sounds.
• Because older infants enjoy putting toys in their mouth, 
be sure toys are clean and big enough they won’t cause 
choking.
• Engage babies in thinking, language, memory, and 
reasoning play experiences. For example, play hiding 
games such as peek-a-boo. Provide toys in which objects 
disappear (for example, placing shapes in a sorter box) 
and use toys that allow babies to cause things to happen 
like rattles, pull toys, mobiles, or squeeze toys. Such 
toys require babies to think about things that are not 
visible and encourage cause-and-effect skill develop-
ment.
•	 Read,	sing,	talk,	and	laugh	with	your	baby.	This	helps	
him	or	her	begin	to	understand	sounds	and	language.	
It	also	creates	an	opportunity	for	the	infant	to	imitate	
words	 and	 facial	 expressions.	 For	 example,	 name	
objects,	persons,	or	actions	using	an	enthused	intona-
tion.	Communicate	in	multiple	ways	using	gestures,	
facial	expressions,	and	physical	touch	as	well	as	oral	
language.
•	 Model	caring	and	kindness.	Display	nurturing	behav-
iors	and	expressions	of	concern	when	infants	become	
upset.	Show	positive	emotions	using	exaggerated	facial	
expressions,	tone,	and	touch.	Also	encourage	positive	
peer	interactions	by	prompting	infants	to	touch,	talk	
to,	and	watch	other	children.
Resources
Books
Developmental Profiles: Pre-Birth through Twelve	 by	K.	
Eileen	Allen	and	Lynn	R.	Marotz,	published	by	Wad-
sworth,	Belmont,	2010.
Early Childhood Development: A Multicultural Perspective	
(4th	 Edition)	 by	 Jeffrey	Trawick-Smith,	 published	 by	
Prentice	Hall,	New	Jersey,	2006.
Fun to Play, Ready to Learn Activity Guide (EB2), University	
of	Nebraska–Lincoln	Extension,	2007.
Websites
Center	for	Disease	Control	and	Prevention:	Infants	and	Tod-
dlers,	http://www.cdc.gov/parents/infants
Parenting	 and	 Just	 in	 Time	 Parenting	 Newsletter:	 www.
extension .org/parenting	Use	code:	NE10JITP
UNL	Extension	Child	and	Youth	Development:	http://www.
extension.unl.edu/web/child
UNL	 Extension	 Building	 Better	 Children	 Facebook	 page:	
http://www.facebook.com/buildingbetterchildren 
Zero	 to	 Three:	 National	 Center	 for	 Infants	 and	 Toddlers:	
www.zerotothree.org
This publication has been peer reviewed.
UNL	Extension	publications	are	available	online	
at	http://extension.unl.edu/publications.
Index: Families
Childhood
Issued	November	2011
Extension	is	a	Division	of	the	Institute	of	Agriculture	and	Natural	Resources	at	the	University	of	Nebraska–Lincoln	
cooperating	with	the	Counties	and	the	United	States	Department	of	Agriculture.
University	of	Nebraska–Lincoln	Extension	educational	programs	abide	with	the	nondiscrimination	policies
of	the	University	of	Nebraska–Lincoln	and	the	United	States	Department	of	Agriculture.
©	2011,	The	Board	of	Regents	of	the	University	of	Nebraska	on	behalf	of	the	University	of	Nebraska–Lincoln	Extension.	All	rights	reserved.


Ages and Stages: Infant (0-12 Months) .G2103

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska

University of Nebraska - LincolnDigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - LincolnFaculty Publications from Nebraska Center forResearch on Children, Youth, Families, and SchoolsChildren, Youth, Families & Schools, NebraskaCenter for Research on2011Ages and Stages: Infant (0-12 Months) .G2103Tonia Renee DurdenUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln, tdurden2@unl.eduGail L. BrandUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln, gail.brand@unl.eduMarilyn S. FoxUniversity of Nebraska-LincolnJacqueline M. GuzmanUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln, JGUZMAN2@UNL.EDULisa M. PoppeUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln, lisa.poppe@unl.eduSee next page for additional authorsFollow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cyfsfacpubPart of the Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons, Social WorkCommons, and the Sociology CommonsThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Children, Youth, Families & Schools, Nebraska Center for Research on atDigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Publications from Nebraska Center for Research onChildren, Youth, Families, and Schools by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln.Durden, Tonia Renee; Brand, Gail L.; Fox, Marilyn S.; Guzman, Jacqueline M.; Poppe, Lisa M.; Werth, LaDonna A.; Nelson, Mary E.;Crandall, Leslie; Vonderohe, Ruth E.; and Pitt, RaSheema, "Ages and Stages: Infant (0-12 Months) .G2103" (2011). FacultyPublications from Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools. 73.http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cyfsfacpub/73AuthorsTonia Renee Durden, Gail L. Brand, Marilyn S. Fox, Jacqueline M. Guzman, Lisa M. Poppe, LaDonna A.Werth, Mary E. Nelson, Leslie Crandall, Ruth E. Vonderohe, and RaSheema PittThis article is available at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cyfsfacpub/73®®Know how. Know now. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesG2103Ages and Stages: Infant (0-12 Months)Tonia R. Durden, Early Childhood Extension Specialist, andGail L. Brand, Marilyn S. Fox, Jacqueline M. Guzman, Lisa M. Poppe, LaDonna A. Werth, Mary E. Nelson, Leslie Crandall and Ruth E. Vonderohe, Extension EducatorsRasheema J. Pitt, Graduate Assistant in Research and ExtensionDuring the first year infants develop quickly, meeting many milestones of early growth. Learn how to recognize these stages and what you can do to help support your infant’s growth and development. Being a parent or caregiver of an infant can be fun and a lot of hard work. Although caring for a baby may seem like an endless cycle of feeding, soothing, and diapering, the first year of a baby’s life is a time for rapid growth and development (Figure 1). By their first birthday, many infants are beginning to crawl and are even taking their first steps. It’s a delight to hear their cooing, babbling, and laughter as they imitate adults and learn to express themselves. Each day in the life of an infant is filled with observation, exploration, and discovery. To help encourage a responsive and stimulating environment during this first year, keep in mind the following general developmental milestones. Physical Development MilestonesBy Three Months• Raises head and lifts chin when lying on stomach and may begin to lift up on arms.• Swipes at hanging objects, and grasps and shakes hand toys. Parents and caregivers should provide rattles, mobiles, or other toys to encourage this skill develop-ment.• Moves arms and legs and “bicycles” with feet.By Eight Months• Rolls both ways (back to front, front to back). Always be aware of safety and never leave an infant unattended where he/she could roll off something and be hurt.• Sits alone steadily and stands with adult support.• Uses thumb and finger to pick up an object such as small pieces of food or even dangerous items left on the floor or within their reach (pennies, bottle caps, etc.).• Crawls backward and forward on stomach.Figure 1. Infants develop quickly during the first year. While they may be shy or anxious around strangers, they will share their playfulness and laughter with people they know.By Twelve Months• Transfers objects, such as a small toy, from hand to hand• Begins to stand and walk alone for short times• Climbs stairs or other objectsCognitive Development MilestonesBy Three Months• Explores with mouth and hands• Follows moving objects such as a mobile and follows people and sounds with eyes and head• Likes some toys better than othersBy Eight Months• Finds partially hidden objects• Remembers familiar people and objects for short times• Solves simple problems, such as making a toy bell ringBy Twelve Months• Performs make-believe acts with his/her own body (for example, pretending to sleep)• Imitates gestures• Explores objects in a variety of ways (banging, shaking, dropping, throwing)• Uses one word or makes up a word to express a whole thought• Finger feeds himself or herselfSocial and Emotional Development MilestonesBy Three Months• Develops a social smile• Cries to communicate but then slowly begins to com-municate more with face and body (for example, coos, babbles, and smiles)• Uses sucking to help calm downBy Eight Months• Is interested in mirror images• Will respond to his/her name• Begins to imitate actions, facial expressions, and soundsBy 12 Months• Anxious or shy with strangers• Has preferences for certain people and toys• To gain attention, repeats sounds and gestures made by others• Develops a sense of humor and laughs a lotA Guide for Parents and Caregivers of InfantsBe responsive to changes in your baby’s feeding and sleeping patterns during the first year. For newborns, be sure to provide physical stimulation during their alert periods based on the baby’s preference (singing, feeding, snuggling, etc.).• The first year of a baby’s life is critical in establishing feelings of trust and security. By six months babies are beginning to show a strong attachment to parents or caregivers through smiling and clinging. Create an affirming, caring, and responsive environment for infants by responding quickly and with warmth. When an infant is crying, hold and cuddle him or her. If you are a parent who will be using childcare, plan times for you and your baby to visit a new child care center or home. Spend significant time with caregivers prior to the first day at the child care facility.• Allow babies space to move freely in a safe, open, baby-proof space.• Play with baby! Playing with infants not only supports all areas of development, but is a great way to relieve parent and adult stress. The best time to play with an infant is when she or he is relaxed and alert.• Provide realistic play props and guide older infants in using these to perform simple simulations: “Can you drink juice from the cup?”• During the first year, babies rely on their five senses to make “sense” of their world. Create a multi-sensory play environment that includes toys of varying textures, colors, and sounds.• Because older infants enjoy putting toys in their mouth, be sure toys are clean and big enough they won’t cause choking.• Engage babies in thinking, language, memory, and reasoning play experiences. For example, play hiding games such as peek-a-boo. Provide toys in which objects disappear (for example, placing shapes in a sorter box) and use toys that allow babies to cause things to happen like rattles, pull toys, mobiles, or squeeze toys. Such toys require babies to think about things that are not visible and encourage cause-and-effect skill develop-ment.•	 Read,	sing,	talk,	and	laugh	with	your	baby.	This	helps	him	or	her	begin	to	understand	sounds	and	language.	It	also	creates	an	opportunity	for	the	infant	to	imitate	words	 and	 facial	 expressions.	 For	 example,	 name	objects,	persons,	or	actions	using	an	enthused	intona-tion.	Communicate	in	multiple	ways	using	gestures,	facial	expressions,	and	physical	touch	as	well	as	oral	language.•	 Model	caring	and	kindness.	Display	nurturing	behav-iors	and	expressions	of	concern	when	infants	become	upset.	Show	positive	emotions	using	exaggerated	facial	expressions,	tone,	and	touch.	Also	encourage	positive	peer	interactions	by	prompting	infants	to	touch,	talk	to,	and	watch	other	children.ResourcesBooksDevelopmental Profiles: Pre-Birth through Twelve	 by	K.	Eileen	Allen	and	Lynn	R.	Marotz,	published	by	Wad-sworth,	Belmont,	2010.Early Childhood Development: A Multicultural Perspective	(4th	 Edition)	 by	 Jeffrey	Trawick-Smith,	 published	 by	Prentice	Hall,	New	Jersey,	2006.Fun to Play, Ready to Learn Activity Guide (EB2), University	of	Nebraska–Lincoln	Extension,	2007.WebsitesCenter	for	Disease	Control	and	Prevention:	Infants	and	Tod-dlers,	http://www.cdc.gov/parents/infantsParenting	 and	 Just	 in	 Time	 Parenting	 Newsletter:	 www.extension .org/parenting	Use	code:	NE10JITPUNL	Extension	Child	and	Youth	Development:	http://www.extension.unl.edu/web/childUNL	 Extension	 Building	 Better	 Children	 Facebook	 page:	http://www.facebook.com/buildingbetterchildren Zero	 to	 Three:	 National	 Center	 for	 Infants	 and	 Toddlers:	www.zerotothree.orgThis publication has been peer reviewed.UNL	Extension	publications	are	available	online	at	http://extension.unl.edu/publications.Index: FamiliesChildhoodIssued	November	2011Extension	is	a	Division	of	the	Institute	of	Agriculture	and	Natural	Resources	at	the	University	of	Nebraska–Lincoln	cooperating	with	the	Counties	and	the	United	States	Department	of	Agriculture.University	of	Nebraska–Lincoln	Extension	educational	programs	abide	with	the	nondiscrimination	policiesof	the	University	of	Nebraska–Lincoln	and	the	United	States	Department	of	Agriculture.©	2011,	The	Board	of	Regents	of	the	University	of	Nebraska	on	behalf	of	the	University	of	Nebraska–Lincoln	Extension.	All	rights	reserved.

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Ages and Stages: Infant (0-12 Months) .G2103

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