The motor milestones that occur during your baby's first year may seem unrelated to one another, but in fact they happen in sequence. Development usually progresses from head to foot, with skills involving the head and arms developing before those that involve the legs and feet. Motor control also progresses from the center of the body outward, which means that your baby will be able to control her torso before she can manipulate her fingers and toes.

The following are some of the most important milestones from head to toe, and suggestions for enhancing your baby's development.

Head Control
One of the first things new parents are taught is to support the baby's head because baby can't do it himself until about 3 months of age.

• Once his neck muscles strengthen, he'll be able to do "mini push-ups," raising both head and chest off the floor.
• By about 7 months of age, your baby will attain full control of his head and will be able to hold it steady for a long time while sitting on your lap or being held upright.

To help baby develop head control:

1. Place your baby stomach-down on the floor. Do this several times a day to let him practice.

2. Entice your baby to lift his head. Put an unbreakable mirror or large picture in front of him, or get down on the floor face-to-face with him.

Reaching and Grasping
Most infants start waving or batting at objects by 3 months of age, an impulse that quickly becomes more refined.

• By 5 or 6 months, your child should master visually directed reaching, which means she's able to see an object and reach for and grasp it with her hand.
• By 8 or 9 months, as your baby learns to grasp with her thumb and forefinger, she can pick up surprisingly small objects — crumbs of food, for example, and, unfortunately, bits of dust and dirt from the floor. You'll have to keep a watchful eye on baby, because she'll be tempted to taste whatever she picks up.