DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES - EIGHT TO TWELVE MONTHS

Gross Motor

• Gets to sitting position without assistance
• Gets to hands-and-knees position independently
• Crawls
• Stands holding on
• Pulls self up to stand
• Walks holding on to furniture
• Stands momentarily without support
• Possibly walks two or three steps without support

Fine Motor

• Uses pincer grasp (grasps objects between thumb and index finger)
• Bangs two objects together
• Puts objects into container
• Takes objects out of container
• Lets go of objects voluntarily
• Pokes at things with index finger

Language

• Pays increasing attention to spoken words of others
• Talks or “jabbers” all the time, usually with nonsensical sounds
• Responds to simple verbal requests
• Stops doing something if told “no,” but only momentarily
• Uses simple gestures, such as shaking head for “no”
• Says “dada” and “mama”
• Uses exclamations such as “uh-oh!”
• Tries to imitate words
• Indicates wants

Personal and Social

• Explores objects in different ways (shaking, banging, throwing, dropping)
• Finds hidden objects easily•
• Looks at correct picture when the image is named
• Begins to use objects correctly (drinking from cup, brushing hair, listening
to phone receiver)
• Imitates gestures
• Is shy or anxious with strangers
• Cries when Mom or Dad leaves
• Enjoys imitating people
• Shows specific preferences for certain people and toys
• Tests parental responses to behaviors
• May be fearful in some situations
• Prefers primary caregiver over others
• Repeats sounds or gestures for attention
• Feeds self with fingers
• Extends arm or leg to help when being dressed

Talk with Your Child’s Doctor if Your Child

• Doesn’t crawl
• Drags one side of body while crawling
• Can’t stand when supported
• Doesn’t search for objects known to be hidden
• Doesn’t imitate speech sounds
• Doesn’t use gestures such as waving or shaking head
• Doesn’t point to objects or pictures
• Doesn’t babble by eight months
• Shows no interest in games of “peekaboo” by eight months