IS MY CHILD FOLLOWING THE MILESTONE DEVELOPMENTAL PATTERN ?: Developmental Milestones (birth to 1 year)


Before starting I would like to quote "every child is distinctive, they just unpack their packages at different times"

A developmental milestone is an ability that is achieved by any child by a certain age and thereby indicating the typical/healthy growth and development. These milestones are a general description of what most children can do at certain ages. Your child may reach some milestones earlier and others later. Either way, it may be the right time for your child’s individual development.

While it's important to remember that children all develop at their own pace, Although it is difficult to define ‘normal’ development, there are some milestones that babies and toddlers can be expected to achieve. Every child learns and reaches to the maxim development according to their pace. There is usually a broad age range for reaching these milestones within normal limits.

Please add this into your dictionary I try to remind parents that the most important thing is that their child is making progress. Don’t get too caught up in whether your little one’s development lines up EXACTLY with a developmental chart or else you will worry yourself sick! Offer activities and experiences that build off of your baby’s current abilities and interests, rather than “forcing” or “pushing” milestones he or she just isn’t quite yet ready for or interested in.

What and when to expect!

You can expect this week1

You will amaze to know some developmental milestones are present in a child from the womb of the mother. At this point, your baby is still becoming accommodate to his brand new environment - with sounds, sights and smells completely foreign, and at times, utterly overwhelming. You'll notice that while he might not sleep for large chunks of time, those tiny eyes tend to flutter closed more than they're open. Video footage might be a bit of a yawn fest, but give him a break - he's only been here a couple of days. Those open eyes which want an answer but couldn’t speak those gestures which want to express more but couldn’t, The first week, your baby will probably:

  • Focus on objects only within 15-30cm of his face, so snuggle up close
  • Be able to move both arms and legs equally
  • Briefly lift his head during supervised tummy time, working those tiny neck and back muscles
  • Synchronizes lips and swallowing to nurse from bottle/breast– at birth and beyond

You can expect this in week 2

Week two isn't much different from week one, except you might notice he is slightly more alert than during the snooze-fest of week one. While you might have a desire to keep your baby entertained, he's plenty busy making sense of his strange environment or taking another nap. There are, however, some activities you could try together this week. As the week progresses child ability to adapt to the environment increases. Don’t think a child is not listening and reacting!

Use your face Since babies can only focus on objects 15-30cm away, your face makes the perfect object to study - and, really, the only thing they'll want to look at.

Black and white Babies can only see strong contrasting colors at this point, so black and white toys and mobiles will be the most stimulating for him.

Tummy time Once upon a time, babies were put to sleep on their stomachs. While this tends to be the most natural and comfortable way for many babies to sleep, We now know that it's safer for babies to sleep on their backs, but there is a minor drawback: Babies spend much less time developing their back and arm muscles than they did when the majority of their day was spent lying on their stomachs. Also, too much time on his back can cause a flat spot in his skull. Because of this, it's important to spend about 10 minutes a day supervising him while he lies on his tummy.

Storytime: Okay, so he probably can't even focus on the book in your hand, but it's never too early to make a habit out of reading. And it's soothing for him to hear your voice.

You can expect in Weeks 5-8

You'll notice that your newborn is more alert with every week that passes, and this coming month you'll probably see the sweetest sight: a smile! Other developments this month might include:

He may involve Cooing, possibly with vowel-consonant combinations like 'ah-goo'

Lifting head 45 degrees while on the stomach with better eye response

Holding head steady when held upright improperly

Reaching for objects unable to grasp

Looking to see where noises are coming from, showing you that he is more aware of the surroundings

A bit more mobility, rolling one-way from back to belly. Of course, your baby isn't quite on the move yet, but be extra careful not to turn your back during a nappy change

More co-ordinated movements, as the month progresses. Those jerks will soon smooth out to purposeful motions.

A first laugh (or squeal) possibly. (But remember, every baby develops differently).

You can expect at 3 months

  • He may Raises head and chest when lying on stomach( commonly children develop head control at this age but every child is different )
  • Grasps objects ( improper grasping )
  • Opens mouth to anticipate food (bottle/breast) – 2 months or 3 month
  • Smiles at other people ( start responding to others with a smile )
  • He may bring a hand to mouth
  • Regards to the speaker when hearing voices

You can expect 4 Months

  • Laugh, razz, "ga", squeal
  • Try to imitate ( he do the same )
  • holds head steady( this is the stage when child head at this stage )
  • Enjoys looking around
  • Stop crying at parent voice ( recognize parents and family )
  • Make forward hand dominant
  • Turn-taking conversations with parents

You can expect at 5 months

  • rolls from tummy to back (always supervise to avoid falls); pulls self forward to sitting position when you hold baby's hands
  • reaches for a toy with two hands; uses the whole hand to grasp a toy ( he may use dominant hand )
  • finds a toy that is partially hidden under cloth ( Jha position, peek a boo ); makes sounds to get social attention
  • Give noise to a stranger when unknown face see

You can expect at 6 months

  • sits briefly without support ( sometimes a child may sit with support as children develop differentially sometime they sit with support )
  • Lay on stomach with weight on the hand
  • Use one hand for reaching
  • Place hands on a bottle try to grasp the bottle

You can expect at 7 months

  • Rolls both ways (front to back, back to front)
  • Refuses excess food the child will tell if he is too hungry or doesn’t want food which means the child will understanding about his needs and adapt the environment by letting you know
  • Sits with, and then without, support of her hands
  • Supports her whole weight on her legs
  • Transfers object from hand to hand
  • Uses raking grasp (not pincer)
  • Responds to own name, by recalling name the child come back to listen to this voice and respond
  • Clapping is another activity done by children at this age
  • Finds partially hidden objects
  • He may show anxiety
  • This time is a great time to encourage your baby to learn new skills. Give him time and a safe space to explore. learn talk express more with your child

You can expect at 8 months

  • Sit in the commando crawl position
  • Scissor grasp start developing at this stage
  • Pulls large out large peg from pegboard
  • The child will mimic the same of parents
  • Responds well with different questions like what is your name ? come here
  • Responds with yes or no, tell their choice

You can expect at 9 months

  • Stands on feet by support
  • Uses fingers to point at things
  • Begin creeping
  • Pull to hold some object and stand
  • Bites and chew cookies nuts
  • Mama and dada gestures are common
  • Starts exploring environment play gesture games (e.g., pat-a-cake)
  • Maybe clingy with familiar adults
  • Understand the ringing of the bell, ringing of mobile

You can expect at 10 months

  • Creeps indefinite proper pattern
  • Stand with one handheld
  • Started with cruising position ( the position in which the child hold an object like sofa and walk by placing partial weight onto furniture )
  • Drinks from the smaller cup- according to his age
  • Waves hand for bye-bye
  • This age is proper for developing the milestones of 9 months
  • What child has begun at the age of 9 months will transform the actions of 9 months into 10 months of his age.

You can expect at 11 months

  • Pivot sitting( partial weight on the furniture it means the child can manage the weight distribution )
  • Stand with few seconds
  • Walk with one handheld
  • Hold the spoon eat food (not completely )
  • Vocalizes to songs and sings with the music
  • Cooperates with dressing (with his own put his hands inside when given )

You can expect at 12 months

  • Walk independently without support
  • Maintain posture place hands, trunk properly
  • Fine pincer grasp develops
  • Hold crayon properly
  • Started scribbling
  • Lifts lid of the bottle to open

Children should demonstrate rapid localization of quiet meaningful sounds and begin to demonstrate everyday visual competence for near and far.

Children readily explore and manipulate toys, and often cast objects to the floor repeatedly. If a toy is hidden under a cup or cushion while the child is watching, they should retrieve it.

The guidelines above are a rough estimate for the development of your baby. You should remember, however, that each child grows and develops at their own pace. For example, some babies may be slow to walk but early to hold a pencil . Discuss any concerns you might have about your baby’s development with your doctor. Trust your instincts. Often they’re right. If you feel like the development of your baby isn’t on track, speak up during your child’s well-baby check-ups.


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