Tips for Baby Development About Pathways.

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The mission of Pathways.org, since 1985, is to empower
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 elp babys motor development by engaging in Tummy Time
parents and health professionals with FREE tools
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and resources to maximize a childs motor, sensory,
BIRTH3
MONTHS
every day
G
 ive baby plenty of cuddle time and body massages
E
 ncourage babys responses by presenting objects with
and communication development. The Pathways.org
Medical Roundtable is instrumental in achieving this
S E
mission through strategic and supportive direction.
bright colors and faces

AS

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Talk to baby every day to show that language is used to
communicate
Pathways.org Medical Roundtable
Babys
Physical

Co-Chairmen
E
 ncourage baby to practice Tummy Time, roll over, and reach for objects
Michael E. Msall, MD, FAAP, FAACPDM and John F. Sarwark, MD. FAAP, FAACPDM, FAAOS
while playing
46 Committee
O
 ffer toys that allow two-handed exploration and play

Development
MONTHS
T
 alk to baby to encourage language development, baby may begin Suzann K. Campbell, PT, Karen R. Judy, MD Lisa Thornton, MD, FAAP
to babble PhD, FAPTA, FAACPDM Amy Becker Manion, Lori Walsh, MD
C
 ommunicate with baby; imitate babys noises and praise them Laura L. Deon, MD PhD, RN, CPNP
when they imitate yours Rosemary White-Traut,
Deborah Gaebler-Spira, Michael N. Nelson, PhD PhD, RN, FAAN
MD, FAAP, FAACPDM Ana-Marie Rojas, MD Nina Aliprandi, MA, Parent
Gay Girolami, PT, Diane Fritts Ryan, OTR/L Shirley Welsh Ryan
PhD, FAACPDM
P lace toys in front of baby to encourage movement
79 P lay cause and effect games like peek-a-boo
MONTHS N ame and describe objects for baby during everyday activities
I ntroduce junior and soft foods around 8 months

P
 lace cushions on floor to encourage baby to crawl over
and between
1012
W
 hile baby is standing at sofa set a toy slightly out of reach to
MONTHS
encourage walking using furniture as support
U
 se picture books to work on communication and bonding
E
 ncourage two-way communication by responding to babys Questions?
giggles and coos Please call our parent-answered toll-free number, or email us. We will
send you more information and refer you to therapists in your area.

800-955-CHILD (2445)
P
 rovide push and pull toys for baby to use as they learn how to walk This message endorsed by the
1315 E
 ncourage baby to stack blocks and then knock them down friends@pathways.org American Academy of Pediatrics,
the National Association of
MONTHS E
 stablish consistency with routines like mealtimes and bedtimes www.pathways.org Pediatric Nurse Practitioners,
S
 ing, play music for, and read to your child regularly American College of Osteopathic
A
 sk your child questions to help stimulate decision making process Pediatricians and Pediatric
Section of the American Physical FREE tools to maximize child development
Therapy Association.
Pathways.org is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Pathways.org is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
 TYPICAL TYPICAL TYPICAL SIGNS TO WATCH FOR IN
What Every Parent
Should Know Speech Play Physical Physical
Pathways.orgs unique DEVELOPMENT* DEVELOPMENT* DEVELOPMENT* DEVELOPMENT*
chart allows you to track
While lying on their back...
your childs physical, play, Sucks and swallows well
and speech development. BY during feeding Visually tracks a moving toy from side

3
Remember to trust your to side
Quiets or smiles in response
instincts. You know your to sound or voice Attempts to reach for a rattle While lying on their tummy...
child best. If you feel your held above their chest Difficulty lifting head Pushes back with head
baby is developing at a
Coos or vocalizes other than crying Pushes up on arms
MONTHS Keeps head in the middle
Stiff legs with little Keeps hands fisted and
different pace, seek help. Turns head toward direction of sound Lifts and holds head up or no movement lacks arm movement
to watch faces or toys

Early Detection
is the Best Begins to use consonant sounds Reaches for a nearby toy Uses hands to support
Prevention! BY in babbling, e.g. dada while on their tummy self in sitting

Important Parent Ideas:

Keep a notebook of
your concerns and
6
MONTHS
Uses babbling to get attention
Begins to eat cereals and pureed foods
While lying on their back...
Transfers a toy from one hand to the other
Reaches both hands to play with feet
Rolls from back
to tummy
While standing with
support, accepts entire
Rounded back
Unable to lift head up
Difficult to bring arms
forward to reach out
Arms
held
back
Stiff legs
observations. weight with legs Arches back and stiffens legs
Poor head control
Review this chart and
check the signs you see
Increases variety of sounds and In a high chair, holds and drinks from a bottle Sits and reaches for
in your baby.** BY syllable combinations in babbling toys without falling Uses one hand
Explores and examines an predominately Inability

Share your concerns,
this chart, and your
notebook with your
childs doctor or
health provider.
**It is okay to check boxes
in both areas of Typical
Development and Signs
To Watch For columns.
9
Looks at familiar objects and object using both hands Moves from tummy to straighten
Rounded back back
people when named or back to sitting
Turns several pages of a chunky
Begins to eat junior and (board) book at once Creeps on hands and
Poor use of Difficulty crawling Cannot
MONTHS arms in sitting
mashed table foods knees with alternate Uses only one side take weight
In simple play imitates others arm and leg movement on legs
of body to move
Meaningfully uses mama or dada Finger feeds self Pulls to stand and
BY cruises along furniture Difficulty getting Sits with weight
Responds to simple commands, Releases objects into a container to one side

12
to stand because
e.g. come here with a large opening Stands alone of stiff legs and
and takes several Strongly flexed or
Produces long strings of gibberish Uses thumb and pointer finger pointed toes stiffly extended arms
independent steps
(jargoning) in social communication to pick up tiny objects Only uses arms to
MONTHS pull up to standing
Needs to use hand
Begins to use an open cup to maintain sitting

Copy freely. Vocabulary consists of 5 10 words Stacks two objects or blocks Walks independently
DO NOT CHANGE. MUST BY and seldom falls
Imitates new, less familiar words Helps with getting undressed

15
ACKNOWLEDGE PATHWAYS.ORG.
Permission to cite any part of this work
Squats to pick up toy Unable to take steps independently
Understands 50 words Holds and drinks from a cup
must be obtained from Pathways.
Poor standing balance, falls frequently
org. Materials are provided at no cost; Increases variety of coarsely
no fees or charges may be associated MONTHS chopped table foods Walks on toes
with any of the Pathways.org materials
without prior written approval.
Copyright 2016
*Remember to correct your childs age for prematurity. Please visit www.Pathways.org to find more FREE resources on child development.