Physical Health and Motor Development

By 9 months, most children:

• Fuss or cry when hungry and quiet down when picked up to be fed in a timely manner
• Coordinate sucking and swallowing
• Assist with self-feeding by holding a bottle or breast; turn their head away when full
• Explore food with their hands and fingers (e.g., crackers and other easy-to-handle foods)
• Accept most basic care routines administered by adults (e.g., gum cleansing or nose wiping)
• Relax during bathing routines
• Babble or coo after diapering
• Indicate their needs and wants (e.g., wanting food or a dirty diaper to be changed)

By 18 months, most children:

• Point to food when wanting more
• Feed themselves finger foods
• Drink from a cup with some spilling
• Drink from a straw
• Use a spoon with some spilling
• Accept more involved care routines administered by adults (e.g., tooth brushing)
• Participate in hand- washing with assistance
• Participate in dressing or attempt to dress themselves
• Remove some clothing
• Use gestures, body language, or vocalizations to seek out help from an adult

By 24 months, most children:

• Feed themselves with spoon and fork (with some spilling) if early self-help skills are valued and taught in their family culture
• Drink from a cup (with some spilling) if early self-help skills are valued and taught in their family culture
• Participate in some self tooth brushing while an adult is helping them brush their teeth
• Indicate choices in clothes and shoes by gesturing or using simple words
• Have limited control over bowels and bladder
• Use a tissue when offered by an adult to wipe nose, face, or hands

By 36 months, most children:

• Understand the difference between food and non-food items
• Recognize when foods are new to them and choose whether to taste or not
• Cooperate and assist with tooth brushing
• Wash hands with assistance
• Dress or undress with minimal assistance
• Sit on a toilet
• Obtain and use tissues to wipe their nose, face, or hands
• Indicate when not feeling well

By 48 months, most children:

• Help with mealtime routines, such as setting a table
• Brush their teeth with assistance from an adult
• Wash and dry hands with verbal prompts and support
• Attempt dressing and undressing
• Put their shoes on but may need assistance with tying them
• Choose their own clothes to wear
• Use a toilet
• Cover their mouth when coughing

By 60 months, most children:

• Help in preparing snacks and meals
• Demonstrate independence in personal self-care skills (e.g., washing hands, brushing teeth)
• Dress or undress
• Manage zippers, buttons, buckles, and Velcro
• Tell an adult caregiver when tired