Cognitive

• Recognizes people and objects at a distance

• Experiments with object permanence (objects and people that are out of sight still exist)

• Curious about objects just out of reach; reaches for them

• Attaches meaning to certain sights, sounds, and gestures; may be ready to learn baby sign language

• Recognizes and responds to familiar words

• Begins to understand that objects and people have names

• Anticipates what comes next in familiar routines (running water means a bath)

• May be able to understand and play clapping games

Motor

• Learns to use thumb and index finger to pick up small objects (pincer grasp)

• Holds an object in each hand

• Bangs objects on a table, floor, or against each other

• Voluntarily lets go of toys

• Feeds self, though messily

• Drinks from a cup

• Sits without support

• Scoots or begins to crawl

• May stand using furniture for support

• May pull self to standing position

Communication

• Looks for and reacts to sounds outside his line of vision

• Babbles echo actual words and include vowels and consonants (“ba ba ba,” “da da,” “bah-dah”)

• Takes turns mimicking conversation (you talk, he babbles, you talk, he babbles

• Expresses likes and dislikes with clear body language (smiling and kicking when happy, frowning when unhappy)

• Vocalizes feelings with squeals, howls, and other sounds

• May wave good-bye

• Able to learn some baby sign language