What’s typical, and when

Pushing up and holding the head up while on the tummy — the base for everything that follows.

Rolling from tummy to back and back to tummy.

Sitting steadily without being propped, freeing the hands to play.

Getting mobile — crawling on hands and knees (or scooting/army-crawling; both count).

Using furniture to pull up to standing — the doorway to cruising and walking.

Stepping sideways while holding furniture — practicing the balance and weight-shift that walking needs.

Letting go and walking on their own — first wobbly steps, then steadier.

Moving faster and starting to climb on furniture and playground equipment.

Jumping with both feet leaving the ground.

Reaching for and holding onto toys, and bringing them to the mouth to explore.

Moving a toy from one hand to the other, and banging things together.

Picking up small things between thumb and finger — key for self-feeding.

Stacking a few blocks and making first marks with a crayon.

Vowel sounds and gurgles — the first back-and-forth 'conversations'.

Repeated consonant strings — 'bababa', 'mamama' — practicing the building blocks of speech.

Turning to look when you say their name.

First meaningful words — often 'mama', 'dada', or a favorite object.

Putting two words together — 'more milk', 'up please'.

Smiling back at you on purpose — the first real social connection.

Getting clingy or wary of strangers — a normal, healthy sign of attachment (and often behind sleep bumps).

Feeding a doll, talking on a toy phone — imagination and empathy taking shape.

Understanding that things still exist when hidden — why peekaboo and hide-the-toy suddenly delight them.

Fitting shapes, nesting cups, and figuring out simple puzzles.

Around 6 months, with readiness signs (sits with support, good head control, interested in food, no longer pushes food out).

Picking up and eating soft finger foods (pairs with the pincer grasp).

Moving from bottle to an open or straw cup.