Brings hand to mouth and opens mouth in preparation to suck. Moves tongue in and out, and up and down. Roots and turns in search of nipple, sucks fist. Indicates likes and dislike, and prefers to look at faces.

Holds onto objects and puts them into the mouth. Holds, mouths and shows visual exploration of objects. Can move food from a spoon to the back of the mouth.

Holds, mouths and shows visual exploration of objects. Tells the difference between others’ expressions of pleasure and disgust. Some imitation of movements and facial expression.  Starts to hold food and bring food to the mouth.

Shows deferred imitation of action which is not context specific. Gag response declines as mouth becomes more used to the feel of food; but still observed in most adults. Can chew softer lumps and keep most food in the mouth.

Recognises food by sight, smell and taste Communicates using words to ask for or name foods that they might want. Can cope with most textures offered but chewing not fully mature. Begins to drink from open cup.

Imitates other toddlers’ behaviour.  Can cope with most foods offered as part of a family meal. Imitates age-mate’s eating behaviour. The range of foods in a young child’s diet predicts late child and adult dietary range.