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The best way for an infant or toddler to prepare for the next step in physical development is to master the one they are currently working on. Below are milestones of physical development you can expect during the first three years.

Young infants (birth to 8 months) — during this time, most infants are learning through exploring and observing what is close to them:

• First movements are reflexive (automatic behaviors present at birth in typical developing children) - they use sucking, rooting, and grasping reflexes
• Five senses are working and ready for further development (touch, taste, hearing, sight, smell)
• Turns head toward a familiar voice or visually stimulating object
• Slightly raises head up to look around while lying on stomach
• Clench hands into fists; will relax fists as they begin to reach for and grasp materials
• Pushes up using their arms when on stomach
• Reach and grasps for objects
• Rolls from stomach to back
• Shake and play with objects
• Bring an object they are holding to their mouth
• Uses hands to support self in sitting position

Mobile Infants (8 to 18 months) — during this time, most infants will begin to learn through exploring and moving throughout their environment:

• Sit up by themselves
• Stand up or make stepping movements with support by holding onto nearby furniture or your hands
• Feed themselves finger foods
• Drink from a sippy cup; eventually a cup without a lid (but may still spill a little)
• Make marks with a crayon or marker
• Walk independently
• Roll a ball
• Older mobile infants can stack and line up blocks
• Point to objects
• Pick up objects between their thumb and index finger (pincer grasp)

Toddlers (18 to 36 months) — during this time, most toddlers will continue to build on and perfect their earlier skills:

• Walk up and down stairs with help
• Eat with a utensil
• Move and sway to music
• Color or paint by moving their entire arm, scribble with markers or crayons
• Turn handles and knobs
• Pull and push toys
• Carry toys while walking
• Learn to run
• Jump in one place
• Kick a ball
• Turn pages of a book
• Draw a circle
• Hold a crayon between thumb and fingers