Your Child's Development – the First Six Months
As your child is growing, use this checklist to keep watch on his or her progress. Remember, every child is different and learns at his or her own pace.
Newborns
- Moves eyes to follow sounds or objects moving in front of his face
- Eats every few hours and sucks on fingers or pacifier in-between feedings
- May be startled by loud noises and enjoys gentle music
- May cry and be fussy but enjoys cuddling, listening to you talk, read and sing
- Develops trust in you if picked up whenever he cries; cannot be spoiled under 6 months of age
- Starts to learn about the world
1 - 2 Months
- Waves, kicks and squirms when lying on back
- Lifts head up when on stomach
- Turns to you and smiles when sees or hears you
- Smiles, gurgles and makes other sounds
- Sucks on thumb or pacifier to calm self and learn about world
- Has real tears
- Senses parents’ moods
3 - 4 Months
- Holds head up without bobbing it around
- Reaches for and grasps small toys or hair
- Recognizes parent’s voice and other sounds heard often
- Smiles at parents and other family members
- Coos and babbles, says “oo,” “ah,” and other vowel sounds
- Rests on forearms while on stomach
5 - 6 Months
- Picks up head and chest when on stomach
- Rolls over front-to-back and back-to-front
- Reaches for nearby toys
- Brings hands together
- Squeals when happy; repeats vowel sounds
- Teeth start to come in
- May sleep through the night
|
