Definition
This article describes the skills and growth targets of 6 month-old infants.
Alternative Names
Normal childhood growth milestones - 6 months; Childhood growth milestones - 6 months; Growth milestones for children - 6 months
Information
Physical and motor-skill markers:
- Should have doubled birth weight (birth weight often doubles by 4 months, and it would be concerning if it hasn't happened by 6 months)
- Able to lift chest and head while on stomach, bearing the weight on hands (often occurs by 4 months)
- Able to sit in a high chair with a straight back
- Beginning of teething
- Increased drooling
- Able to bear almost all weight when supported in a standing position
- Able to roll from back to stomach
- Able to hold own bottle (but many babies won't do it, or do it only for short periods)
- Able to pick up a dropped object
Sensory and cognitive markers:
- Vision is between 20/60 and 20/40
- Can locate sounds not made directly at the ear level
- Prefers more complex sound stimulation
- Starts to imitate sounds
- Sounds resemble one-syllable words
- Enjoys hearing own voice
- Makes sounds to mirror and toys
- Begins to fear strangers
- Recognizes parents
- Begins to imitate actions
- Begins to realize that if an object is dropped, it is still there and just needs to be picked up
Play recommendations:
- Provide a mirror that is unbreakable
- Provide large, bright colored toys that make noise or have moving parts
- Play peek-a-boo
- Provide paper to tear
- Speak clearly
- Imitate words such as "mama" to facilitate learning of language
- Start naming parts of the body and the environment
- Use the word "no" INFREQUENTLY
- Use body movements and actions to teach language
Print
