Sampler

Here’s a preview of 5 of the Card Deck’s 56 milestones. Each milestone card in the Deck has a name, an illustration, and some text.

Names are descriptive and use everyday words.

Drawings illustrate specific postures and actions.

The text details what you should watch for.

The card information will help you to watch for, and recognize, dozens of important baby achievements that would’ve been missed.

The 56 Signs Card Deck format enables you to sort and order as needed.  

For example, you can select specific cards for imminent milestones to keep handy.  Or set aside those cards for achieved milestones.

Cards are numbered roughly in order of the milestones’ likely appearance.  

Babies aren’t all alike, so your baby may not follow the numbered order exactly.  Even so, the numbering will help you select cards to keep handy.

Scan the cards occasionally when you’re with Baby.  Watch for postures and actions like those described for a milestone.

If some milestone features are missing, Baby hasn’t quite reached that milestone.  Watch carefully in the following days; that new milestone is probably close.   

All those features present?  Baby has reached a new milestone!  Time to celebrate Baby’s important accomplishment. 🎉🥳

Before you set aside the card, record the date when you first saw the milestone on the card. 

Those dates can be used for the calculation of ages of Baby’s accomplishments and the creation of a graphical keepsake of the baby's milestones.

Card examples

Following are 5 milestones from 56 Signs Card Deck.  Note their informative titles, illustration quality, and description readability.

Looking-Up Back Lying

While lying on back with head to side and feet touching surface, turns face up so nose is in line with center of chest for at least 3 secs. May move arms and legs.

3-Second Head Lift

While lying face down, Baby has weight mostly on chest and forearms. Bent elbows are held against sides and are used to prop up shoulders. Looking straight forward, Baby raises head partially for count of 3.

Super Hero

While lying on tummy, Baby lifts head up and raises legs or arms up off the surface.  May rock back and forth or from side to side, but there is no forward movement.  Both arms and legs may be raised at the same time.

Stable Sit

While seated on buttocks, Baby maintains a wide base of support with legs.  Shoulders are over hips, and arms can be moved away from body.  Baby can hold and manipulate a small toy and be left alone.  Sits up straight with head erect for at least 10 seconds.

Half-Kneel with Hands Down

From a hands-and-knees position, Baby moves one knee up and forward to plant the foot on the floor.  Weight is then supported on two hands, one knee, and one foot. Baby may rock or scoot forward in this position.