"Each child is unique. While certain attitudes, behaviors, and physical milestones tend to occur at certain ages, a wide spectrum of growth and behavior for each age is normal. These guidelines are offered as a way of showing a general progression through the developmental stages rather than as fixed requirements for normal development at specific ages. It is perfectly natural for a child to attain some milestones earlier and other milestones later than the general trend. Keep this in mind as you review these milestones."

"If you have any concerns related to your child's own pattern of development, check with your pediatrician or family physician." Donna Warner Manczak, Ph.D., M.P.H.

5 - 6 MONTHS

	Lifts chest and most of tummy off floor by pushing up on extended arms.
	May roll from back to side to stomach easily.
	Rocks and kicks a lot. Rolls around in delight.
	Sits erect briefly, using hands on floor for balance and support.
	Bounces when held erect. Likes seeing world when standing.
	Uses one-handed purposeful grasp to shake, bang, put object in mouth, then finally drops it. Enjoys dropping objects repeatedly to learn noise they make.
	Uses whole hand to rake in and pick up small objects.
	Regularly reaches for objects out of her reach.
	Grabs and sucks on her own and your body parts to differentiate herself from you as two separate entities.
	May begin teething.
	Raises arms to be picked up. Follows your direction of pointing. May point at new things.
	Babbles and "talks" to toys and to himself in mirror. Intently listens to his own voice.
	Understands your speech by the tone of your voice.
	Recognizes names, basic words, familiar household sounds.
	Enjoys manipulating other peoples faces by poking, pulling and studying them to understand his own separateness.
	Very sociable now-smiles, laughs hilariously and enjoys people. May be more selective about whom she socializes with.
	When she can't do something, may become frustrated, whine or explode in rage.
	Smiles at herself in the mirror (does not recognize that it is her image till she is more than one year old.)
	Is very curious to explore the world around her.
	Plays by herself longer because she can sit better now.
	Appears to make decisions when choosing to play with toys.

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Child Development