Birth to around 3 months

Vision and Fine Movements

• Visually alert, eyes follow a moving object or person.
• Watches and plays with own hands and fingers in front of face.
• Turns head towards bright lights.
• Holds a rattle for a few moments when placed in hand but cannot coordinate hand and eyes.

Large Movements

• Wiggles, using arms and legs; waves arms and kicks vigorously.
• Lying on front, lifts head and chest, using forearms for support.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

• Makes eye-to-eye contact and smiles when smiled at.
• Communicates hunger, fear, discomfort, through crying or facial expression.
• Responds to 'peek a boo' games.
• Usually quietens at the sound of a soothing voice.
• Responds with excited noises or movements to cues for routines such as bathing and feeding.

Listening, Speaking and Understanding

• Reacts to loud noises by blinking, moving, or crying.
• Responds to the sound of, for example, a voice or a rattle by turning head to either side.
• Makes cooing and gurgling sounds.
• Often synchronises body movements to speech patterns of the care-giver.

Seek advice if a child

• Is limp and lethargic, with little muscle tone.
• Does not respond to loud noises.
• Does not make eye contact.
• Does not soothe easily.

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