Developmental Milestones for 8 Months
Key developmental milestones children typically reach at this age, based on CDC, WHO, and Montessori frameworks.
What your child is working on right now
Knows familiar people
Likes to look at self in a mirror
Laughs
Takes turns making sounds with you
CDC Developmental Milestones
Knows familiar people
Social/Emotional
Likes to look at self in a mirror
Social/Emotional
Laughs
Social/Emotional
Takes turns making sounds with you
Language/Communication
Blows 'raspberries' (sticks tongue out and blows)
Language/Communication
Makes squealing noises
Language/Communication
Puts things in their mouth to explore them
Cognitive (Learning, Thinking, Problem-Solving)
Reaches to grab a toy they want
Cognitive (Learning, Thinking, Problem-Solving)
Closes lips to show they don't want more food
Cognitive (Learning, Thinking, Problem-Solving)
Rolls from tummy to back
Movement/Physical Development
Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
Movement/Physical Development
Leans on hands to support self when sitting
Movement/Physical Development
ASQ-3 Developmental Domains
Babbles with consonant sounds (ba, da, ga)
Communication
Rolls from back to tummy and tummy to back
Gross Motor
Sits without support for one minute
Gross Motor
Passes objects from one hand to the other
Fine Motor
Looks for a toy that has fallen out of sight
Problem Solving
Tries to get a toy that is out of reach
Personal-Social
WHO Motor Development Standards
Sitting without support — child sits up with head steady, without using arms or hands for balance
Gross Motor Milestones
Standing with assistance — child stands upright while holding on to a stable object with both hands
Gross Motor Milestones
Hands-and-knees crawling — child moves forward on hands and knees (creeping pattern)
Gross Motor Milestones
Walking with assistance — child walks upright while holding on to a stable object with one or both hands
Gross Motor Milestones
Standing alone — child stands for at least 10 seconds without holding on to anything or anyone
Gross Motor Milestones
Walking alone — child takes at least 5 independent steps without holding on to anything or anyone
Gross Motor Milestones
Montessori Sensitive Periods
Shows distress when routine changes — indicates awareness of sequence and order in daily life
Order
Absorbs sounds and rhythms of language — the unconscious absorption of the 'mother tongue'
Language
Babbling and first words — spoken language emerges from immersion in a language-rich environment
Language
Explores objects with mouth and hands — using senses to learn about the physical world
Sensory Refinement
Developing gross motor control — rolling, crawling, pulling up, driven to move the whole body
Movement
Reggio Emilia Approach
Shows interest in what other children are doing — watches, approaches, or reaches toward peers during activities
Social Collaboration & Community
Shows sustained attention to an object or phenomenon — gazes at, reaches for, or manipulates something with focused interest
Investigation & Inquiry
Explores a space independently — moves through the environment, touching, looking at, and interacting with available materials
Environment as Third Teacher
Activities to Support Development
Animal Sound Matching
Match animal toys to their sounds. A fun toddler activity that builds vocabulary and sound awareness.
Baby Foot Painting
Create adorable foot print art with your baby using non-toxic paint. A fun sensory experience they'll love.
Baby Mirror Faces
Make faces in a mirror with baby, copying each other's expressions and smiles.
Baby Sign Language
Teach simple signs like 'more', 'milk', and 'all done' during daily routines.
Cloth Peek-a-Boo
Drape a light cloth over a toy and help baby pull it off to find the hidden toy.
Crawl Through a Tunnel
Set up a play tunnel or make one from boxes and crawl through it.