Birth

• poor eyesight
• infant will blink in response to bright light or touching eye
• eyes are sometimes uncoordinated, may look cross-eyed
• able to stare at object if held 8 to 10 inches away
• initially fixes eyes on a face or light then begins to follow a moving object

1 month

• looks at faces and pictures with contrasting black and white images
• can follow an object up to 90 degrees
• watches parent closely
• tears begin to form

2 to 3 months

• begins to be able to see an object as one image
• looks at hands
• follows light, faces, objects

4 to 5 months

• beginning to reach hands to objects, may bat at hanging object with hands
• can stare at a block
• recognizes bottle
• will look at self in mirror
• will look at own hand

5 to 7 months

• has full color vision, able to see at longer distances
• can pick up a toy that is dropped
• will turn head to see an object
• likes certain colors
• will touch image of self in mirror

7 to 11 months

• can stare at small objects
• begins to have depth perception
• plays peek-a-boo

11 to 12 months

• can watch objects that are moving fast

12 to 14 months

• able to place shapes in proper holes
• becomes interested in pictures
• recognizes familiar objects and pictures in books, may point to some objects when asked, "Where is the ...?"
• points and gestures for objects and actions
• recognizes own face in mirror

18 to 24 months

• able to focus on objects near and far
• scribbles with crayon or pencil, may imitate drawing straight line or circle
• can point to body parts (nose, hair, eyes) when asked

36 to 48 months

• can copy shapes
• vision is nearing 20/20
• names colors

48 to 72 months (4 to 6 years)

• recognizes and recites the alphabet
• ready to begin reading
• has complete depth perception
• uses scissors
• can name coins and money