track your baby’s development
Is your baby on par with his milestones? Find out what you can expect at each developmental stage as you follow your baby’s growth and mastery of skills with the Sister Lilian Centre baby tracker. Like you, your baby is an individual, and these values and developmental steps should be taken as a guideline, not written in stone.
newborn
Your newborn baby watches you wide-eyed but can only focus up to 25cm away, while his or her hearing, taste and sense of smell are really well-developed.
newborn
These are a few of the most important milestone criteria for you to refer to at your baby’s current growth and development age and stage. Remember, this is just a guide, and each baby will develop at his or her own pace – if your baby constantly progresses, rest assured that there’s no need to be concerned.
Average Measurements
Weight:
- Girls: 2,8–3,7kg
- Boys: 3–3,8kg
Length:
- Girls: 48–52cm
- Boys: 50–55cm
Your baby’s senses – a quick overview
Vision/sight
- Watches Mom with wide eyes
- Looks away if stared at
- Scrunches eyes in bright light
- Has a blink reflex
- Can only focus clearly between 25 and 30cm
- Follows movement very briefly
Hearing
- Has well-developed hearing
- Recognises and is soothed by Mom and Dad’s voices
- Shows a fright reflex at jarring or loud sounds
Smell
- Baby recognises and bonds to his mother’s smell very soon after birth.
Taste
- Baby has an acutely developed sense of taste.
Touch
- Baby will be very sensitive to touch, which is an important exploratory and learning tool. This is why he needs lots of reassuring and comforting touch.
Your baby’s head
Head circumference:
- Girls: 33–37cm
- Boys: 33–38cm
Head and neck control
- There is no voluntary head control, and Baby’s head will flop unsteadily if it’s not supported.
- Baby can move his head from side-to-side.
Fontanelle (soft spots)
- The large anterior ‘soft spot’ is 1–3 fingers wide; at first, there is some increase in size, but it will gradually close between 6 and 18 months.
- The posterior fontanelle is significantly smaller, and closes within two months.
Your baby’s body proportions, posture and ability to move
- Baby is often in the fetal position, with his hands tightly closed and close to his body.
- Baby’s arms are more active than his legs.
- Baby’s movements aren’t really that controlled yet – they are more reflexive.
- A newborn’s head makes up about 25% of its body length; in adulthood, this will only be 11%.
- Facial bones are a relatively small part of Baby’s head at birth.
- Baby may shuffle upwards or around in a cot, but there is no voluntary or organised movement.
Your baby’s emotional development, communication and social skills
- Baby’s self-awareness is limited at birth.
- Mother and baby are for all intent and purposes ‘one being’.
- Baby needs close bodily contact to feel protected. This ensures that Baby develops optimally.
- Eye contact and talking to Baby are important for Baby to form close bonds with his parents.
- Baby may mimic a few basic things like tongue protrusion and opening his mouth.
6 weeks
At 6 weeks, when held upright, Baby can keep his or her head balanced as her neck muscles are stronger, but toppling will sometimes occur.
6 weeks
These are a few of the most important milestone criteria for you to refer to at your baby’s current growth and development age and stage. Remember, this is just a guide, and each baby will develop at his or her own pace – if your baby constantly progresses, rest assured that there’s no need to be concerned.
Average measurements
Weight
- Girls: 4,5–5kg
- Boys: 4,8–5,1kg
Length
- Girls: 50–61cm
- Boys: 51–61,5cm
Your baby’s head
- Between six and eight weeks, Baby will be able to lift her head to a 45 degree angle from a flat surface.
- When held upright, Baby can keep head her head balanced, but toppling will sometimes still occur.
Your baby’s emotional development, communication and social skills
- Touch is an important communication tool, and all babies love confident parental touch.
- Baby will smile spontaneously by now.
Your baby’s senses – a quick overview
Vision/sight
- Maintains eye contact a little more easily
- Follows the movement of large objects at 20–30cm
Hearing
- Baby still has strong hearing abilities.
3 months
At 3 months, your baby’s movements are far smoother and more continuous, and he or she will swipe at objects and pull things within his focal range.
3 months
These are a few of the most important milestone criteria for you to refer to at your baby’s current growth and development age and stage. Remember, this is just a guide, and each baby will develop at his or her own pace – if your baby constantly progresses, rest assured that there’s no need to be concerned.
Average measurements
Weight
- Girls: 5,0–6,2kg
- Boys: 5,5–6,4kg
Length
- Girls: 55–62cm
- Boys: 58–64cm
Your baby’s head
Head circumference
- Girls: 38–42,5cm
- Boys: 39–43,8cm
Head and neck control
- There is generally firm head and neck control by now.
Your baby’s senses – a quick overview
Vision/eyes
- Baby’s eyes focus intently on his hands, nearby toys and other objects.
- Baby follows moving objects with his head and eyes.
Hearing
- Baby will turn toward voices and sounds.
Your baby’s co-ordination, muscle strength and ability to move
- Baby’s movements are far smoother and more continuous.
- Baby swipes at objects and pulls at things within his focal range.
- Baby brings his hands together.
- Baby can independently push his upper body up a little.
- Between now and six months, Baby will love playing with his feet when lying on his back.
- Baby may be able to roll over from his back onto his stomach between now and five months
Your baby’s emotional development, communication and social skills
- Doesn’t need to ‘switch off’ from environmental stimuli to protect against hyper-stimulation of his senses as often
- Is quite social and loves to look at his parents
- Smiles a lot and may laugh a little
- Makes cooing sounds
6 months
At 6 months, your baby can judge distance quite accurately, can distinguish the source of sounds he or she hears and can pass objects from one hand to the other.
6 months
These are a few of the most important milestone criteria for you to refer to at your baby’s current growth and development age and stage. Remember, this is just a guide, and each baby will develop at his or her own pace – if your baby constantly progresses, rest assured that there’s no need to be concerned.
Average measurements
Weight
- Girls: 6,5–7,8kg
- Boys: 6,8–8,1kg
Length
- Girls: 63–65cm
- Boys: 64–71cm
Your baby’s head
Head circumference
- Girls: 43,5–46cm
- Boys: 42,5–47cm
Head and neck control
- Baby will hold her head in a stable position when sitting.
Your baby’s emotional development, communication and social skills
- Baby enjoys playing peekaboo games.
- Baby can communicate feelings well with sounds, cries and facial expressions.
- Baby understands ‘no’ and ‘bye-bye’.
- Baby laughs and squeals loudly in delight.
- It’s common for babies to make bi-syllabic sounds like ‘agoo’ and ‘ada’.
- There is a great need for Baby to be in her parent’s presence and to experience kind touch and love.
- It is possible for Baby to feel anxiety, fear and stress.
- Baby seems to show a sense of humour.
Your baby’s senses – a quick overview
Vision/sight
- Can judge distance quite accurately
- Will look for a dropped object
Hearing
- There is a strong response to sounds, and Baby’s ability to distinguish the source of the sound is developing.
Your baby’s co-ordination, muscle strength and ability to move
- Baby passes objects from one hand to the other by now.
- Baby’s leg and back muscles are far stronger.
- Baby can roll over and back again.
- Baby pushes up onto all fours and may rock forward and backwards in this position.
- Some babies can crawl by now.
- Most babies sit in a squatting position for brief times.
9 months
At 9 months, most babies can crawl a little or want to crawl, and they may start using words like ‘mama’ and ‘papa’.
9 months
These are a few of the most important milestone criteria for you to refer to at your baby’s current growth and development age and stage. Remember, this is just a guide, and each baby will develop at his or her own pace – if your baby constantly progresses, rest assured that there’s no need to be concerned.
Average measurements
Weight
- Girls: 7,5–9,2kg
- Boys: 8–9,5kg
Length
- Girls: 67–75cm
- Boys: 67–77cm
Your baby’s co-ordination, muscle strength and ability to move
- Baby can mostly grasp and pick up a small object between his finger and thumb by now.
- Baby is able to independently eat finger foods.
- Most babies can crawl a little or want to crawl, and parents should help Baby with this important milestone.
- Baby may start ‘cruising’ around furniture.
- Baby can sit more securely now as his spine and core muscles strengthen.
Your baby’s emotional development, communication and social skills
- Baby may start using words like ‘mama’ and ‘papa’.
- Baby may cling to a specific parent, especially when strangers are around because he needs to ‘attach’ while observing his environment in order to feel secure.
10 months
At 10 months, your baby moves around backwards or forwards on his or her belly. They may be able to crawl well by now, or at least do the “bum-shuffle”.
10 months
These are a few of the most important milestone criteria for you to refer to at your baby’s current growth and development age and stage. Remember, this is just a guide, and each baby will develop at his or her own pace – if your baby constantly progresses, rest assured that there’s no need to be concerned.
Your baby’s co-ordination, muscle strength and ability to move
- Baby starts to drink from a cup now, but it could take up until 18 months to perfect the technique.
- Baby can voluntarily grasp and let go of objects.
- Baby moves around backwards or forwards on her belly.
- Some babies can crawl well by now.
- It’s common for babies to move around by ‘bum-shuffling’.
- Baby may pull herself up into a kneeling position or a supported standing position.
- Most babies can ‘cruise’ around furniture by now.
- Very occasionally, babies can already walk unassisted.
- Baby rolls into a sitting position easily now.
- Baby should sit securely without toppling.
- Baby can turn and maintain balance while sitting.
1 year
At one year, your sociable little one has clarity of vision that is as good as an adult’s, although his or her vision continues to mature until about seven years.
1 year
These are a few of the most important milestone criteria for you to refer to at your baby’s current growth and development age and stage. Remember, this is just a guide, and each baby will develop at his or her own pace – if your baby constantly progresses, rest assured that there’s no need to be concerned.
Average Measurements
Weight
- Girls: 9,5kg
- Boys: 10,2kg
Height
- Girls: 75cm
- Boys: 76cm
Head circumference
- Girls: 44,5–49,0cm
- Boys: 45,5–50,5cm
Your baby’s visual and emotional development, communication and social skills
- Has clarity of vision that is as good as an adult’s, although vision continues to mature until about seven years
- Is far more sociable, but still quite self-centred
- Has a distinct personality that’s becoming quite recognisable
- Still exhibits attention-seeking behaviour
- Loves to laugh if he’s happy
- Can remember where he saw objects and can point to them when asked
- Is becoming quite independent, but still needs reassurance for this to develop optimally
- Is very affectionate with close caregivers
- May be possessive of his mother or another close caregiver
- Identifies with one or two adults very closely at this stage
- Continues to chatter a lot
- May be able to say another three intelligible words
Your baby’s co-ordination, muscle strength and ability to move
- Can independently pull up into a stand, and can stand unsupported for brief times
- May take his first careful steps, walking with his feet widely splayed at first
- May already walk steadily on even ground
- Likes to scribble and make sweeping marks on paper, walls and other surfaces
- Will want to turn the pages of a book
- May ‘dance’ to music
- Starts to copy Mom and Dad as they do housework
18 months
At 18 months, your toddler is likely still very self-centred, loves to copy Mom with the housework and still identifies very closely with one or two adults.
18 months
These are a few of the most important milestone criteria for you to refer to at your toddler’s current growth and development age and stage. Remember, this is just a guide, and each toddler will develop at his or her own pace – if your toddler constantly progresses, rest assured that there’s no need to be concerned.
Average measurements
Weight
- Toddlers of 1–3 years gain about 1,8 to 2,7 kg per year.
- Girls: 11,3kg
- Boys: 11,5kg
Height
- Girls: 78cm
- Boys: 82cm
Head circumference
- Girls: 46,0–50,5cm
- Boys: 47,0–52cm
Your toddler’s co-ordination, muscle strength and ability to move
- Can climb onto low furniture, and can climb stairs when holding onto something
- Will be able to throw a ball between 16 and 24 months
- Can kick a ball between 18 and 24 months
- Can generally build a four-block tower at this stage
- May be able to undress without help now
- May eat with a spoon and fork
- Walks steadily and wants to run
Your toddler’s mental and emotional development, communication and social skills
- Can put two words together
- Recognises the colours red and green
- Can track large, rapidly moving objects
- Starts to point to body parts when asked to do so
- Still loves to make sweeping marks on paper, walls and other surfaces
- Is probably still very self-centred at this stage
- Still copies Mom and Dad as you do the housework
- Still identifies very closely with one or two adults
2 years
At 2 years, your little one starts to catch balls and other objects, shows interest to “bunny roll” and can run well.
2 years
These are a few of the most important milestone criteria for you to refer to at your toddler’s current growth and development age and stage. Remember, this is just a guide, and each toddler will develop at his or her own pace – if your toddler constantly progresses, rest assured that there’s no need to be concerned.
Average measurements
Weight
- Toddlers of 1–3 years gain about 1,8 to 2,7 kg per year.
- Girls: 11,8kg
- Boys: 12,3kg
Height
- Girls: 84cm
- Boys: 86cm
Your toddler’s co-ordination, muscle strength and ability to move
- Starts to jump on both feet
- Can pedal a tricycle between 2 and 3 years
- Can balance briefly on one foot from 2.5 years
- Has improved bladder control, which may lead to ‘dry’ daytimes
- Starts to catch balls and other objects
- Starts to ‘bunny roll’
- Can run well
- Your toddler’s creativity
- Your toddler can draw straight lines and may start to copy circles.
- Imagination starts developing and you might notice that your toddler has imaginary friends.
Your toddler’s mental and emotional development, communication and social skills
- There is a spurt in language development; your toddler may use about 50 words, and can form three-word sentences.
- Sound effects are very important in toddler play at this stage.
- Your toddler will be able to recognise blue and green.
- Your toddler knows first names.
- Your toddler displays rudimentary planning ability by arranging activities logically.
- Your toddler will recognise the purpose of different objects.
- At this stage, toddlers play alongside other children, not really with them, but this is an important socialisation phase.
- Your toddler may look guilty without ‘being guilty’, and no sense of guilt is developed at all.
- It’s common for toddlers to get frustrated and angry when things don’t go their way.
3 years
At 3 years, your child starts to tell simple stories, may start to draw a stick person to represent whole people and begins to socialise more interactively.
3 years
These are a few of the most important milestone criteria for you to refer to at your toddler’s current growth and development age and stage. Remember, this is just a guide, and each toddler will develop at his or her own pace – if your toddler constantly progresses, rest assured that there’s no need to be concerned.
Average measurements
Weight
- Toddlers of 1–3 years gain about 1,8 to 2,7 kg per year.
- Girls: 14,1kg
- Boys: 14,6kg
Height
- Girls: 94cm
- Boys: 95cm
Your toddler’s muscle co-ordination and control
- May not need night-nappies anymore
- Can usually dress independently
- May be able to catch objects quite well
- Practices her climbing skills
- Learns to slide and swing
- Starts to tiptoe walk
Your toddler’s intellectual and language development
- Starts to tell simple stories
- Speech can often not keep up with her thoughts
- Copies caregivers’ words and expressions
- Can probably name most colours
- Will start to develop symbolic, abstract thinking
Your toddler’s creativity
- May start to draw a stick person or faces to represent whole people
- Displays active fantasy play that is logical, but seldom has a storyline
- Realises that creative activity has meaning for others
- Often sticks to a limited range of colours when drawing
Your toddler’s social skills and emotional development
- Interactive socialisation begins at this stage.
- Your toddler starts to develop the ability to co-operate with others in play.
- Your toddler will need patience, encouragement, positive feedback, affirmation and acceptance of her individual personality now.
- Toddlers need firm but loving guidelines and house rules to give a safe and secure learning platform.
track your baby’s development
Is your baby on par with his milestones? Find out what you can expect at each developmental stage as you follow your baby’s growth and mastery of skills with the Sister Lilian Centre baby tracker. Like you, your baby is an individual, and these values and developmental steps should be taken as a guideline, not written in stone.
newborn
Your newborn baby watches you wide-eyed but can only focus up to 25cm away, while his or her hearing, taste and sense of smell are really well-developed.
newborn
These are a few of the most important milestone criteria for you to refer to at your baby’s current growth and development age and stage. Remember, this is just a guide, and each baby will develop at his or her own pace – if your baby constantly progresses, rest assured that there’s no need to be concerned.
Average Measurements
Weight:
- Girls: 2,8–3,7kg
- Boys: 3–3,8kg
Length:
- Girls: 48–52cm
- Boys: 50–55cm
Your baby’s senses – a quick overview
Vision/sight
- Watches Mom with wide eyes
- Looks away if stared at
- Scrunches eyes in bright light
- Has a blink reflex
- Can only focus clearly between 25 and 30cm
- Follows movement very briefly
Hearing
- Has well-developed hearing
- Recognises and is soothed by Mom and Dad’s voices
- Shows a fright reflex at jarring or loud sounds
Smell
- Baby recognises and bonds to his mother’s smell very soon after birth.
Taste
- Baby has an acutely developed sense of taste.
Touch
- Baby will be very sensitive to touch, which is an important exploratory and learning tool. This is why he needs lots of reassuring and comforting touch.
Your baby’s head
Head circumference:
- Girls: 33–37cm
- Boys: 33–38cm
Head and neck control
- There is no voluntary head control, and Baby’s head will flop unsteadily if it’s not supported.
- Baby can move his head from side-to-side.
Fontanelle (soft spots)
- The large anterior ‘soft spot’ is 1–3 fingers wide; at first, there is some increase in size, but it will gradually close between 6 and 18 months.
- The posterior fontanelle is significantly smaller, and closes within two months.
Your baby’s body proportions, posture and ability to move
- Baby is often in the fetal position, with his hands tightly closed and close to his body.
- Baby’s arms are more active than his legs.
- Baby’s movements aren’t really that controlled yet – they are more reflexive.
- A newborn’s head makes up about 25% of its body length; in adulthood, this will only be 11%.
- Facial bones are a relatively small part of Baby’s head at birth.
- Baby may shuffle upwards or around in a cot, but there is no voluntary or organised movement.
Your baby’s emotional development, communication and social skills
- Baby’s self-awareness is limited at birth.
- Mother and baby are for all intent and purposes ‘one being’.
- Baby needs close bodily contact to feel protected. This ensures that Baby develops optimally.
- Eye contact and talking to Baby are important for Baby to form close bonds with his parents.
- Baby may mimic a few basic things like tongue protrusion and opening his mouth.
6 weeks
At 6 weeks, when held upright, Baby can keep his or her head balanced as her neck muscles are stronger, but toppling will sometimes occur.
6 weeks
These are a few of the most important milestone criteria for you to refer to at your baby’s current growth and development age and stage. Remember, this is just a guide, and each baby will develop at his or her own pace – if your baby constantly progresses, rest assured that there’s no need to be concerned.
Average measurements
Weight
- Girls: 4,5–5kg
- Boys: 4,8–5,1kg
Length
- Girls: 50–61cm
- Boys: 51–61,5cm
Your baby’s head
- Between six and eight weeks, Baby will be able to lift her head to a 45 degree angle from a flat surface.
- When held upright, Baby can keep head her head balanced, but toppling will sometimes still occur.
Your baby’s emotional development, communication and social skills
- Touch is an important communication tool, and all babies love confident parental touch.
- Baby will smile spontaneously by now.
Your baby’s senses – a quick overview
Vision/sight
- Maintains eye contact a little more easily
- Follows the movement of large objects at 20–30cm
Hearing
- Baby still has strong hearing abilities.
3 months
At 3 months, your baby’s movements are far smoother and more continuous, and he or she will swipe at objects and pull things within his focal range.
3 months
These are a few of the most important milestone criteria for you to refer to at your baby’s current growth and development age and stage. Remember, this is just a guide, and each baby will develop at his or her own pace – if your baby constantly progresses, rest assured that there’s no need to be concerned.
Average measurements
Weight
- Girls: 5,0–6,2kg
- Boys: 5,5–6,4kg
Length
- Girls: 55–62cm
- Boys: 58–64cm
Your baby’s head
Head circumference
- Girls: 38–42,5cm
- Boys: 39–43,8cm
Head and neck control
- There is generally firm head and neck control by now.
Your baby’s senses – a quick overview
Vision/eyes
- Baby’s eyes focus intently on his hands, nearby toys and other objects.
- Baby follows moving objects with his head and eyes.
Hearing
- Baby will turn toward voices and sounds.
Your baby’s co-ordination, muscle strength and ability to move
- Baby’s movements are far smoother and more continuous.
- Baby swipes at objects and pulls at things within his focal range.
- Baby brings his hands together.
- Baby can independently push his upper body up a little.
- Between now and six months, Baby will love playing with his feet when lying on his back.
- Baby may be able to roll over from his back onto his stomach between now and five months
Your baby’s emotional development, communication and social skills
- Doesn’t need to ‘switch off’ from environmental stimuli to protect against hyper-stimulation of his senses as often
- Is quite social and loves to look at his parents
- Smiles a lot and may laugh a little
- Makes cooing sounds
6 months
At 6 months, your baby can judge distance quite accurately, can distinguish the source of sounds he or she hears and can pass objects from one hand to the other.
6 months
These are a few of the most important milestone criteria for you to refer to at your baby’s current growth and development age and stage. Remember, this is just a guide, and each baby will develop at his or her own pace – if your baby constantly progresses, rest assured that there’s no need to be concerned.
Average measurements
Weight
- Girls: 6,5–7,8kg
- Boys: 6,8–8,1kg
Length
- Girls: 63–65cm
- Boys: 64–71cm
Your baby’s head
Head circumference
- Girls: 43,5–46cm
- Boys: 42,5–47cm
Head and neck control
- Baby will hold her head in a stable position when sitting.
Your baby’s emotional development, communication and social skills
- Baby enjoys playing peekaboo games.
- Baby can communicate feelings well with sounds, cries and facial expressions.
- Baby understands ‘no’ and ‘bye-bye’.
- Baby laughs and squeals loudly in delight.
- It’s common for babies to make bi-syllabic sounds like ‘agoo’ and ‘ada’.
- There is a great need for Baby to be in her parent’s presence and to experience kind touch and love.
- It is possible for Baby to feel anxiety, fear and stress.
- Baby seems to show a sense of humour.
Your baby’s senses – a quick overview
Vision/sight
- Can judge distance quite accurately
- Will look for a dropped object
Hearing
- There is a strong response to sounds, and Baby’s ability to distinguish the source of the sound is developing.
Your baby’s co-ordination, muscle strength and ability to move
- Baby passes objects from one hand to the other by now.
- Baby’s leg and back muscles are far stronger.
- Baby can roll over and back again.
- Baby pushes up onto all fours and may rock forward and backwards in this position.
- Some babies can crawl by now.
- Most babies sit in a squatting position for brief times.
9 months
At 9 months, most babies can crawl a little or want to crawl, and they may start using words like ‘mama’ and ‘papa’.
9 months
These are a few of the most important milestone criteria for you to refer to at your baby’s current growth and development age and stage. Remember, this is just a guide, and each baby will develop at his or her own pace – if your baby constantly progresses, rest assured that there’s no need to be concerned.
Average measurements
Weight
- Girls: 7,5–9,2kg
- Boys: 8–9,5kg
Length
- Girls: 67–75cm
- Boys: 67–77cm
Your baby’s co-ordination, muscle strength and ability to move
- Baby can mostly grasp and pick up a small object between his finger and thumb by now.
- Baby is able to independently eat finger foods.
- Most babies can crawl a little or want to crawl, and parents should help Baby with this important milestone.
- Baby may start ‘cruising’ around furniture.
- Baby can sit more securely now as his spine and core muscles strengthen.
Your baby’s emotional development, communication and social skills
- Baby may start using words like ‘mama’ and ‘papa’.
- Baby may cling to a specific parent, especially when strangers are around because he needs to ‘attach’ while observing his environment in order to feel secure.
10 months
At 10 months, your baby moves around backwards or forwards on his or her belly. They may be able to crawl well by now, or at least do the “bum-shuffle”.
10 months
These are a few of the most important milestone criteria for you to refer to at your baby’s current growth and development age and stage. Remember, this is just a guide, and each baby will develop at his or her own pace – if your baby constantly progresses, rest assured that there’s no need to be concerned.
Your baby’s co-ordination, muscle strength and ability to move
- Baby starts to drink from a cup now, but it could take up until 18 months to perfect the technique.
- Baby can voluntarily grasp and let go of objects.
- Baby moves around backwards or forwards on her belly.
- Some babies can crawl well by now.
- It’s common for babies to move around by ‘bum-shuffling’.
- Baby may pull herself up into a kneeling position or a supported standing position.
- Most babies can ‘cruise’ around furniture by now.
- Very occasionally, babies can already walk unassisted.
- Baby rolls into a sitting position easily now.
- Baby should sit securely without toppling.
- Baby can turn and maintain balance while sitting.
1 year
At one year, your sociable little one has clarity of vision that is as good as an adult’s, although his or her vision continues to mature until about seven years.
1 year
These are a few of the most important milestone criteria for you to refer to at your baby’s current growth and development age and stage. Remember, this is just a guide, and each baby will develop at his or her own pace – if your baby constantly progresses, rest assured that there’s no need to be concerned.
Average Measurements
Weight
- Girls: 9,5kg
- Boys: 10,2kg
Height
- Girls: 75cm
- Boys: 76cm
Head circumference
- Girls: 44,5–49,0cm
- Boys: 45,5–50,5cm
Your baby’s visual and emotional development, communication and social skills
- Has clarity of vision that is as good as an adult’s, although vision continues to mature until about seven years
- Is far more sociable, but still quite self-centred
- Has a distinct personality that’s becoming quite recognisable
- Still exhibits attention-seeking behaviour
- Loves to laugh if he’s happy
- Can remember where he saw objects and can point to them when asked
- Is becoming quite independent, but still needs reassurance for this to develop optimally
- Is very affectionate with close caregivers
- May be possessive of his mother or another close caregiver
- Identifies with one or two adults very closely at this stage
- Continues to chatter a lot
- May be able to say another three intelligible words
Your baby’s co-ordination, muscle strength and ability to move
- Can independently pull up into a stand, and can stand unsupported for brief times
- May take his first careful steps, walking with his feet widely splayed at first
- May already walk steadily on even ground
- Likes to scribble and make sweeping marks on paper, walls and other surfaces
- Will want to turn the pages of a book
- May ‘dance’ to music
- Starts to copy Mom and Dad as they do housework
18 months
At 18 months, your toddler is likely still very self-centred, loves to copy Mom with the housework and still identifies very closely with one or two adults.
18 months
These are a few of the most important milestone criteria for you to refer to at your toddler’s current growth and development age and stage. Remember, this is just a guide, and each toddler will develop at his or her own pace – if your toddler constantly progresses, rest assured that there’s no need to be concerned.
Average measurements
Weight
- Toddlers of 1–3 years gain about 1,8 to 2,7 kg per year.
- Girls: 11,3kg
- Boys: 11,5kg
Height
- Girls: 78cm
- Boys: 82cm
Head circumference
- Girls: 46,0–50,5cm
- Boys: 47,0–52cm
Your toddler’s co-ordination, muscle strength and ability to move
- Can climb onto low furniture, and can climb stairs when holding onto something
- Will be able to throw a ball between 16 and 24 months
- Can kick a ball between 18 and 24 months
- Can generally build a four-block tower at this stage
- May be able to undress without help now
- May eat with a spoon and fork
- Walks steadily and wants to run
Your toddler’s mental and emotional development, communication and social skills
- Can put two words together
- Recognises the colours red and green
- Can track large, rapidly moving objects
- Starts to point to body parts when asked to do so
- Still loves to make sweeping marks on paper, walls and other surfaces
- Is probably still very self-centred at this stage
- Still copies Mom and Dad as you do the housework
- Still identifies very closely with one or two adults
2 years
At 2 years, your little one starts to catch balls and other objects, shows interest to “bunny roll” and can run well.
2 years
These are a few of the most important milestone criteria for you to refer to at your toddler’s current growth and development age and stage. Remember, this is just a guide, and each toddler will develop at his or her own pace – if your toddler constantly progresses, rest assured that there’s no need to be concerned.
Average measurements
Weight
- Toddlers of 1–3 years gain about 1,8 to 2,7 kg per year.
- Girls: 11,8kg
- Boys: 12,3kg
Height
- Girls: 84cm
- Boys: 86cm
Your toddler’s co-ordination, muscle strength and ability to move
- Starts to jump on both feet
- Can pedal a tricycle between 2 and 3 years
- Can balance briefly on one foot from 2.5 years
- Has improved bladder control, which may lead to ‘dry’ daytimes
- Starts to catch balls and other objects
- Starts to ‘bunny roll’
- Can run well
- Your toddler’s creativity
- Your toddler can draw straight lines and may start to copy circles.
- Imagination starts developing and you might notice that your toddler has imaginary friends.
Your toddler’s mental and emotional development, communication and social skills
- There is a spurt in language development; your toddler may use about 50 words, and can form three-word sentences.
- Sound effects are very important in toddler play at this stage.
- Your toddler will be able to recognise blue and green.
- Your toddler knows first names.
- Your toddler displays rudimentary planning ability by arranging activities logically.
- Your toddler will recognise the purpose of different objects.
- At this stage, toddlers play alongside other children, not really with them, but this is an important socialisation phase.
- Your toddler may look guilty without ‘being guilty’, and no sense of guilt is developed at all.
- It’s common for toddlers to get frustrated and angry when things don’t go their way.
3 years
At 3 years, your child starts to tell simple stories, may start to draw a stick person to represent whole people and begins to socialise more interactively.
3 years
These are a few of the most important milestone criteria for you to refer to at your toddler’s current growth and development age and stage. Remember, this is just a guide, and each toddler will develop at his or her own pace – if your toddler constantly progresses, rest assured that there’s no need to be concerned.
Average measurements
Weight
- Toddlers of 1–3 years gain about 1,8 to 2,7 kg per year.
- Girls: 14,1kg
- Boys: 14,6kg
Height
- Girls: 94cm
- Boys: 95cm
Your toddler’s muscle co-ordination and control
- May not need night-nappies anymore
- Can usually dress independently
- May be able to catch objects quite well
- Practices her climbing skills
- Learns to slide and swing
- Starts to tiptoe walk
Your toddler’s intellectual and language development
- Starts to tell simple stories
- Speech can often not keep up with her thoughts
- Copies caregivers’ words and expressions
- Can probably name most colours
- Will start to develop symbolic, abstract thinking
Your toddler’s creativity
- May start to draw a stick person or faces to represent whole people
- Displays active fantasy play that is logical, but seldom has a storyline
- Realises that creative activity has meaning for others
- Often sticks to a limited range of colours when drawing
Your toddler’s social skills and emotional development
- Interactive socialisation begins at this stage.
- Your toddler starts to develop the ability to co-operate with others in play.
- Your toddler will need patience, encouragement, positive feedback, affirmation and acceptance of her individual personality now.
- Toddlers need firm but loving guidelines and house rules to give a safe and secure learning platform.
Browse Our Books & Baby Products
Find a Midwife, Doula or Allied Health Professional in Your Area
