DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES - FOUR TO SEVEN MONTHS

Gross Motor and Fine Motor

• Rolls from stomach to back and back to stomach
• Sits with, and then without, support of hands
• Props self up on arms when on stomach
• Can support whole body weight on legs
• Reaches for objects with hand
• Transfers objects from hand to hand
• “Rakes” at small objects (reaches for object using hand with fingers bent)

Language

• Turns to sounds and voices
• Responds to own name
• Begins to respond to “no”
• Distinguishes emotions by tone of voice
• Responds to sound by making sounds and may imitate speech sounds
• Uses voice to express joy and displeasure
• Babbles chains of consonants (“ba-ba-ba-ba”)

Personal and Social

• Finds partially hidden object
• Explores things with hands and by putting items in mouth
• Works to get objects that are out of reach
• Enjoys social play
• Notices small things like pieces of cereal in front of him
• Responds to other people’s expressions of emotion
• Squeals and makes other high-pitched sounds when happy
• Smiles when looking at self in mirror
• Shows frustration when trying new skills such as turning over

Other Characteristics and Behaviors to Expect

• Gets excited at sight of familiar people or at sight of bottle or breast
• Has improved distance vision
• Has improved ability to track moving objects

Talk with Your Child’s Doctor if Your Child

• Seems stiff, with tight muscles, or seems weak or floppy
• Has head that still lags back when body is pulled up to a sitting position
• Uses only one hand for reaching, or one leg seems stronger
• Doesn’t cuddle or show affection for primary caregiver
• Has eyes that are consistently crossed or don’t move together
• Doesn’t respond to sounds
• Has difficulty getting objects to mouth
• Doesn’t reach for and grasp toys by four months
• Doesn’t babble by four months
• Still has Moro (startle) reflex at four months
• Has head that isn’t steady when in sitting position by four months
• Doesn’t try to imitate speech sounds by seven months
• Doesn’t push down when feet are placed on firm surface by four months
• Doesn’t turn head to locate sounds by five months
• Doesn’t roll over in either direction by five months
• Can’t sit (with some support from hands) by six months
• Doesn’t laugh or make squealing sounds by six months
• Doesn’t actively reach for objects by six to seven months
• Doesn’t follow objects with eyes at near and far ranges by seven months
• Doesn’t bear some weight on legs by seven months
• Doesn’t try to attract attention through actions by seven months