Ages quoted are only examples, and individual children will vary. Speak to your health visitor if you are concerned about your child's development.

6 weeks

fine skills body skills suitable toys Your baby focuses best at 20-25cm (8-10in), is attracted to faces and moving objects and may smile. Your baby has jerky, uncontrolled movements and can't yet support the head. » Pictures of faces » Mobile » Pram toys » Musical night light

3 months

fine skills body skills suitable toys Your baby will gaze attentively, swipes at objects, begins to grasp and hold her own hands. Your baby may lift her head up when on her tummy, hold her head erect, wave her arms and hands and kick with both feet. » Play mat » Small soft rattle » Textured musical toys » Small bath toys

6 months

fine skills body skills suitable toys Your baby can reach for an object with both hands and pass it from one hand to the other. She can roll over, sit when supported, kick or lift her legs one at a time. » Activity centre » Teething ring » Wobbly toys » Large soft blocks » Soft (non furry) toys » Squeaky toys

9 months

fine skills body skills suitable toys She can now use one hand to reach for things and may poke, pull or bash a new object. She is able to sit unsupported, lean forward to grasp objects, may crawl or bottom shuffle and may pull herself to standing. » Ball » Stacking rings » Activity toys » Drum

12 months

fine skills body skills suitable toys She can pick up small objects in a pincer grip and enjoys filling containers. She may take her first few steps (age will vary) and may crawl upstairs (but not down). » Sit and ride toy » Trolley » Posting box or shape sorter » Nesting beakers » Toy telephone

18 months

fine skills body skills suitable toys She may try to brush hair, open doors and is able to press buttons on the phone. She will walk everywhere, may run but often falls over. She clambers and climbs over large furniture. » Pull along toy » Wooden bricks » Lift out jigsaws » Hammer pegs » Bath toys » Books with simple stories

2 years

fine skills body skills suitable toys She may be able to undress, carry an object while walking and likes scribbling with crayons. She will run, can stop and reverse, jump, dance, walk downstairs. » Wendy house » Sandpit » Water/sand toys » Tea set » 3-6 piece jigsaws » Duplo

3 years

fine skills body skills suitable toys She is now able to draw simple pictures and may dress herself. She walks up and downstairs, runs, jumps and can balance on one leg. » Tricycle » Doll's pushchair » Toy food » 12 piece jigsaws

4 years

fine skills body skills suitable toys She draws more complex pictures and may be able to write her name. She hops, runs up and downstairs, runs on tiptoe, may climb trees and may be able to operate a swing by herself. » Dressing up clothes » Doll's house » Train set » 12-20 piece jigsaws

5 years > >

fine skills body skills suitable toys She can now draw detailed pictures and may be starting to read and write. She runs, jumps, climbs, dances, likes hiding and chasing games and may skip (not with a rope). » Cassette player » Story tapes » Memory games » 20+ piece jigsaws » Bicycle with stabilisers » Lego