Your Baby And The Stages Of Development
These stages are guidelines only. If you believe that there are any problems with your child you should always consult with your own doctor.
| 1 Month Old: |
| Physical development; |
|
* arm and leg movement are reflexes |
| Mental Development; |
| * prefers to look at high contrast patterns and faces * alert 1 out of every 10 hrs * begins to trust caregiver * most behavior is reflexive * will cry if under stimulated or over stimulated |
| Language Development; |
| * responds to voices * small cooing begins * likes it when you talk to her |
| Social Development; |
| * enjoys eye contact * smiles at faces * recognizes parent’s voices |
| 2 Months Old: |
| Physical development; |
|
* muscles relax and twitch less |
| Mental Development; |
| * starts to make associations - cry gets a need met * protests if needs aren’t met * wants visual stimulation |
| Language Development; |
| * gurgles, coos, and squeals * exhibits emotions |
| Social Development; |
| * responsive smiling * communicates moods * studies faces * your baby’s personality become more obvious |
| 3 Months Old: |
| Physical development; |
|
* can stretch limbs all the way out |
| Mental Development; |
| * learns cause and effect * discovers hands & feet * likes detailed high-contrast images |
| Language Development; |
| * begins extended vowel sounds * starts to laugh * has different cries for different needs |
| Social Development; |
| * makes eye contact * smiles at faces * knows difference between parents and strangers * stops crying when you come in the room |
| 4 Months Old: |
| Physical development; |
|
* can stand up with help |
| Mental Development; |
| * forms mental images of what to expect when giving a cue * is aware that people and things have labels (dada) * starts to explore things by tasting them |
| Language Development; |
| * changes shape of mouth to change sounds * sputters |
| Social Development; |
| * laughs hard when tickled * greets caregiver * social gestures-moves arms to signal “pick me up” * likes social interaction |
| 5 Months Old: |
| Physical development; |
|
* rolls over from front to back |
| Mental Development; |
| * shows interest in colors * pushes away disliked actions (wiping nose) * displays expression of decision-making |
| Language Development; |
| * babbles (ba-ba) * tries to mimic sounds |
| Social Development; |
| * turns head toward speaker * watches your mouth movements |
| 6 - 9 Months Old: |
| Physical development; |
|
* can sit unsupported |
| Mental Development; |
| * studies objects * concentrates on one toy at a time * analyses what to do with her toy * understands the nesting of objects * understands an object might behind something |
| Language Development; |
| * longer and more varied sounds * experiments with different volumes and pitches of sounds * makes 2-syllabled sounds |
| Social Development; |
| * mimics facial expressions * exhibits moods with varied sounds and body movements * may be shy or afraid of strangers * responds to her name * raises arms to signal her wanting to be picked up * likes her reflection |
| 9 -12 Months Old: |
| Physical development; |
|
* masters crawling |
| Mental Development; |
| * start to understand phrases (like “come here”) * wants to explore things by touching everything * builds, stacks and disassemble |
| Language Development; |
| * says simple words (”dog”, “hot”) * understands “no” * mimics sounds like tongue-clicking, raspberries, and cough |
| Social Development; |
| * enjoys mimicking * points to things she want * feels pride (especially when praised) * likes games (peek-a-boo) |
| 12 - 15 Months Old: |
| Physical development; |
|
* walks alone |
| Mental Development; |
| * favors one hand * understands a word in context * understands cause and effect * starts pretending * remembers |
| Language Development; |
| * likes to sing * says several words * says “no” and shakes head * can follow simple direction |
| Social Development; |
| * copies and imitates * likes to look at books together * starts to exhibit a temper when angry * waves good-bye * laughs at funny things |
| 15 - 18 Months Old: |
| Physical development; |
|
* can walk backwards |
| Mental Development; |
| * learn by exploring * separation anxiety is less strong * can match shapes |
| Language Development; |
| * says 10-20 words * puts shorts words together “no-no”, “bye-bye” * makes first sentence |
| Social Development; |
| * responds to verbal requests without signals * loves it when you babble back to her |
| 18 - 24 Months Old: |
| Physical development; |
|
* can jump |
| Mental Development; |
| * can understand 2-step directions * can draw circles and lines on paper |
| Language Development; |
| * says 20-50 words * makes 3-word sentences |
| Social Development; |
| * understands more than she says * likes to sing |
