Milestone questions ask what a child should be doing at a certain age. Learn the big ones below and the pattern makes sense: control starts at the head and moves down the body (head to toe), and from the center out to the fingers.
Growth rules
- Birth weight usually doubles by about 5 to 6 months and triples by 1 year.
- The posterior fontanel closes by about 2 months. The anterior fontanel closes by about 12 to 18 months.
Key milestones
| Age | What most children can do |
|---|---|
| 2 months | Social smile, lifts head during tummy time, coos |
| 4 months | Holds head steady without support, brings hands to mouth, laughs |
| 6 months | Rolls from tummy to back, sits with support, reaches for toys |
| 9 months | Sits without support, moves objects hand to hand, stranger anxiety, babbles "mamama" |
| 12 months | Pulls to stand, walks holding furniture, pincer grasp, waves bye-bye, says "mama" or "dada" for a parent |
| 18 months | Walks alone, scribbles, says several words |
| 2 years | Runs, kicks a ball, puts 2 words together |
| 3 years | Rides a tricycle, copies a circle, talks in short sentences |
| 4 years | Hops on one foot, catches a ball, tells simple stories |
| 5 years | Dresses without help, counts to 10, may skip |
Types of play
| Age group | Play type | Good toy for the hospital |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | Solitary | Mobiles, rattles, soft toys |
| Toddler | Parallel (plays next to others, not with them) | Push-pull toys, blocks, shape sorters |
| Preschool | Associative (shares, but no real rules) | Dress-up, puppets, coloring |
| School age | Cooperative (rules and teams) | Board games, crafts, collections |
See also Erikson and Piaget for pediatric nursing.
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Quick answers
When does a baby triple their birth weight?
By about 1 year of age. Birth weight usually doubles by about 5 to 6 months.
What type of play is typical for toddlers?
Parallel play, where toddlers play next to other children but not with them.
Evidence & Clinical Sources
- CDC Learn the Signs. Act Early. milestones
- Hockenberry, Wong's Essentials of Pediatric Nursing, Elsevier
- American Academy of Pediatrics
Reviewed against current guidelines and drug labels. Always follow your program, a current drug reference, and facility policy. Our sources policy
For learning only. Lab ranges and policies vary. Always follow your nursing program, a current drug reference, and your facility's policies.