Months Cognitive They like the feelings they have when they feed successfully or hear your soothing voice or are cuddled, and they don’t like feeling hungry or frightened – but they don’t actually know that the feeling is caused by a full tummy or hunger. Each baby is different, and each grows and develops in the way that is right for this baby. The human face is the first and most important shape that babies learn, and the sounds of human voices are very important to them, even though they do not understand them.
Communication Newborn babies do not cry ;for attention’ or to get ar their parents. A new baby In the first three months cannot decide to cry. They cry because of something that is happening inside them. They don’t understand what is happening and they don’t understand that you might be able to help them feel better. Babies show how they feel by what their face, voice and body does. For the newborn, crying Is the mall way your baby has to let you know something is wrong, and soon your baby may start having different cries for different things – hunger, pain, wet, cold, fear and loneliness.
By seven or eight weeks babies will begin to discover their voice and make cooing noises and vowel sounds. Even by about eight weeks they will listen to what you say, then make noises back as they talk’ to you. Physical Although babies are ready to exist and grow outside of their mother’s womb, most parts of their bodies are still immature. Since babies do not understand anything about what Is happening around them, they can become upset If they are given too much to see or do. They start to work out how to lift their heads when lying on the tummy, and kick their legs by about eight weeks.
Social, Emotional & Behavioral Newborn babies cannot understand what is happening to them. They do not know that they are people. They do not know who helps when they cry. They feel happy when they feed, but they do not know what happy’ is. They cry when they are hungry or need to sleep, but they do not know that they are being cared for. The first and perhaps most important thing to understand about newborn babies Is that they do not have any understanding of being a separate person Inside their own skin, and certainly not a person in relationship with other people.
Because babies eel but are not yet able to think, they will pick up your feelings and be calm when you are calm, and unhappy if you are unhappy. Babies need to feel safe, that someone Is looking after them. They often begin to smile at a familiar face by around four to six weeks, and will look at you carefully from around the same time. Moral Not required Watches faces closely. Follows moving objects. Recognizes familiar objects and people at a distance. Starts using hands and eyes in coordination. Smiles at the sound of your voice. Communication Turns toward a familiar sound then locates range of sounds with accuracy.
Listens to, distinguishes and responds to intonation and sound of voices. React in interactions with others by smiling, looking and moving. Equities or alerts to the sound of speech. Begins to babble and starts to imitate some sounds. Physical Turns head in response to sounds and sights. Gradually develops ability to hold up own head. Makes movements with arms and legs which gradually become more controlled. Rolls over to front to back, from back to front. When lying on tummy becomes able to lift first head and then chest, supporting self with forearms and then straight arms. Watches and explores hands and feet
Reaches out, touches and brings to hold objects Explores objects with mouth, often picking up an object and holding it to his mouth. Can sit with and, later, without support. Social, Emotional & Behavioral Laughs and gurgles e. G. Shows pleasure at being tickled and other physical interactions. Uses voice, gesture, eye contact and facial expression to make contact with people and keep their attention Is comforted by touch and people’s faces and voices. Seeks physical and emotional comfort by snuggling in to trusted adults. Calms from being upset when held, rocked, spoken or sung to with soothing voice.
Shows a range f emotions such as pleasure, fear and excitement. Reacts emotionally to others people’s emotions (smiles when smiled at and becomes distresses is hears another child crying). Enjoys the company of others and seeks contact with others from birth. Gazes at faces and copies facial movements (sticking out tongue, opening mouth). Responds when talked to (moves arms and legs, changes facial expression, makes mouth movements). Moral 6-9 Months Begin to develop a better awareness of the world. With this in mind, you may notice that your child starts to develop the ability to realize that objects still exist, despite
Communicates needs and feelings in a variety of ways: crying, gurgling, babbling, squealing. Starts to understand contextual clues(familiar gestures, words and sounds). Stops and looks when hears own name. Makes own sounds in response when talked to by familiar adults. Lifts arms in anticipation of being picked up. Practices and gradually develops speech sounds(babbling) to communicate with adults; says sounds like ;baby, non, go”. Sits up without being supported Starts to stand. This developmental stage varies for each child, however, some infants re able to pull themselves up and hold onto furniture by 9 months Begins to crawl.
Some infants never crawl, however, by 9 months, many babies find crawling to be an exciting way to get around. Develops hand-eye coordination At this stage in baby’s life, his/her developmental and physical abilities increase. Your child is unique and the timeline of when he or she will hit certain milestones will vary. Since he/she is becoming increasingly aware of the world around him, he may start to grab onto things, bang objects to hear the sound they make and develop a better control of their body and their actions. Some babies at this age develop what is called “stranger anxiety’.
This is when your infant shows signs of distress when they do not recognize a person near them or their parents are out of the room. This period is not permanent, and usually fades over time. Moral Not required. 9-12 Months Has some understanding that things exist, even when out of sight. Gets to know and enjoys daily routines, such as getting-up time, mealtime, nappy time, and bedtime. Closely observes what animals, people and vehicles do. Looks for dropped objects. Baby begins to understand his very special relationship with you, and with friends ND relatives.
He starts to know that when you go away, you will come back again, and that you are still there even when he cannot see you. Communication Moves whole body to sounds the enjoy, such as music or a regular beat. Even though he may not have any words you can understand he will ‘chat’ away with the right inflexions in his voice. He imitates what a conversation sounds like, such as when he is playing with a telephone. He may be saying simple sounds like ‘mum’ and ‘dada’. He recognizes several words and may shake his head for ‘no’. Handles books and printed material with interest.
Sits unsupported on the floor. When sitting, can lean forward to pick up small toys. Pulls to standing, holding on to furniture or person for support. Crawls, bottom and stepping sideways, and walks with one or both hands held by adult. Takes few steps independently. Pick up small objects between thumb and fingers. Holds own bottle or cup. Talking to him when you are in another room can reassure him of this. He will smile and babble and try to engage you in a conversation, and copy simple hand games like ‘clap hands’ or ‘bye bye’. In other words he is becoming aware of himself as a social creature.
He understands the meaning of ‘no’, although he is going to spend the next 18 months checking its meaning exactly. He is frightened when you leave him and will cling and cry, and (very sensibly) be wary of strangers. ‘Peek-a-boo’ and ‘hiding’ are favorite games because they play out in a simple way the comings and goings of people that your baby has come to recognize and depend upon. He also has some understanding that you see him and that he can hide from you, although he still thinks that if he can’t see you, you can’t see him (he will put his hands over his yes to hide).
He starts to understand that he is a person, and he can start to understand that the baby in the mirror might be him. Moral 12-18 Months Develops an awareness of numbers name though their enjoyment of action rhymes and songs that relate to their experience of numbers. Becomes absorbed in combining objects (placing objects into containers). Knows things are used in different ways(balls for rolling and throwing, a toy car for pushing). Notices and is interested in the effects of making movements which leave marks. Communication Understand and follow simple, one step directions.
Say about 8 to 20 understandable words, including “h'” and “bye” if reminded and likes nursery rhymes and silly songs Identify objects in a book, if prompted. Pay attention to conversations. Gasps finger food and bring them to mouth. Rolls toys with wheels, fills and empties, throws things, rolls a ball, and stacks 2 blocks. Passes toys from one hand to the other. Holds on object in each hand and brings them together in the middle(holds two blocks and bangs them together) Begins to walk without help, walks upstairs holding hand of adult, Holds pen and crayon using a whole hand gasp and makes random arks with different strokes.
Turn pages on a book. Attempts to use a spoon: can guide towards mouths but food often falls off. Helps dress and undress self. Enjoy being held and read to. Imitate others with sounds and facial expressions. Play alone with toys and plays alongside others. A familiar happy voice). Responds to a few appropriate boundaries, with encouragement and support. Moral 18-24 Months Interested in books and rhymes and may have favorites. Beginning to organism and categories objects (putting all the teddy bears together). Says some counting words randomly. Attempts, sometimes successfully, to fit shapes into spaces on insert boards or Jigsaw puzzles.
Uses Blocks to create their own simple structures and arrangements. Is curious about people and shows interest in pictures and stories about themselves, their families and other people. Shows interest in toys with buttons, flaps and simple mechanism and beginning to learn to operate them. Pretends that one object represents another, especially when objects have characteristics in common. Explores objects by linking together different approaches, remembers where objects belongs. Communication Enjoys rhymes and demonstrates listening by trying to Join in with actions or vacillations.
Rigid attention-may appear not to hear. Understands simple sentences (“Throw the ball), copies familiar expressions (ooh dear, All gone”). Beginning to put two words together (Ant ball, more Juice”) and uses different types of everyday words (banana, sleep, hot”). Beginning to ask simple questions and to talk about people and things that are not present. Selects familiar objects by name and will go and find objects when asked, or identify objects from a group. Physical Toss and roll balls. Enjoy moving on small-wheeled riding toys. Feed himself with a spoon. Begin to gain some control of bowels and bladder.
Walk well and run, even though he may not always stop and turn well. Comes downstairs backwards in knees. Beginning to balance blocks to build a small tower. Holds cup with both hands and drinks without much spilling. Social, Emotional & Behavioral Growing sense of will and determination may result in feelings of anger and frustration which are difficult to handle. Begins to learn that some things are theirs, some things are shared, and some things belong to other people. Uses a familiar adult as a secure base from which to explore independently in new environments.
Demonstrate sense of self as an individual (wants to do things independently, says ;No” to adults) May act shy around strangers. Moral 24-30 Months Have some favorite stories, rhymes, songs, poems or Jingles. Repeats words or phrases from familiar stories. Begins to make comparisons between quantities. Uses some language of quantities, such as ‘more’ and ‘a lot’. Understands some talk about immediate past and future, e. G. ‘before’, ‘later’ or ‘soon’. Anticipates specific time-based events such as mealtimes or home time. Operates mechanical toys, (turns the knob on a wind-up toy or pulls back on a friction car).
Notices detailed features of objects in their environment. Learns that they have similarities and differences that connect them to, and distinguish them from, others. Beginning to use representation to communicate (drawing a line and saying ‘That’s me. ‘). Shows an interest in the way musical instruments sound. Listens with interest to noises adults make when they read stories. Recognizes and responds to many familiar sounds(turning to a knock at the door) Shows interest in play with sounds, songs and rhymes. Identifies action words by pointing to the right picture. Understands ;who”, ;what”, ;where” in simple questions.
Developing understanding of simple concepts (big/small). Uses gestures, sometimes with limited talk (reaches towards toy, saying ;I have it”). Beginning to use word endings (going, cats). Questions formed with rising intonation only. Usually remains dry during the day. Takes off own coat. Is able to eat using a spoon. Is able to drink from a cup. Runs safely on whole foot. Squats with steadiness to rest or play with object on the ground, and rises to feet thou using hands Can kick a large ball. Turns pages in a book, sometime several at once. May be beginning to show preference for dominate hand.
Feeds self competently with spoon. Drinks well without spilling. Capable of walking up and down stairs, alternating feet. Separates from main career with support and encouragement from a family adult. Expresses own preferences and interests. Seeks comfort from familiar adults when needed. Can express their own feelings such as sad, happy, cross, scared and worried. Responds to the feelings and wishes of others. Interested in others play and starting to Join in. Shows affection and concern for people who are special to him. Sometimes becomes frustrated when having difficulty making themselves understood.
Moral Fills in the missing word or phrase in a known rhyme, story or game (empty Dumpy sat on a … ‘) Distinguishes between the different marks they make. Creates and experiments with symbols and marks representing ideas of number. Knows that a group of things changes in quantity when something is added or taken away. Notices simple shapes and patterns in pictures. Beginning to categories objects according to properties such as shape or size. Beginning to have their own friends. Enjoys playing with small-world models such as a farm, a garage, or a train track.
Seeks to acquire basic skills in turning on and operating some CIT equipment. Beginning to make-believe by pretending. Is beginning to demonstrate some patience when waiting for own turn. Can concentrate on short-term activities. Understands more complex sentences (put your toys away then we’ll read a book. ‘). Uses language as a powerful means of widening contacts, sharing feelings, experiences and thoughts. Holds a conversation Jumping from topic to topic. Learns new words very rapidly and is able to use them communicating. Uses a variety of questions (what, where, who). Uses simple sentences (Mummy goanna work).
Climbs confidently and is beginning to pull themselves up on nursery play climbing equipment. Shows control in holding and using Jugs to pour, hammers, books and mark-making tools. Beginning to use three fingers (tripod grip) to hold writing tools. Imitates drawing simple shapes such as circles and lines. Walks upstairs or downstairs holding onto a rail two feet to a step. Clearly communicates their need for potty or toilet. Beginning to recognize danger and seeks support of significant adults for help. Helps with clothing, e. . Puts on hat, unzips zipper on Jacket, takes off unbuttoned shirt.
Beginning to be independent in self-care, but still often needs adult support. Will attempt to tidy up under direction. Aware that some actions can hurt or harm others. Tries to help or give comfort when others are distressed. Shows understanding and cooperates with some boundaries and routines. Can inhibit own actions/ behaviors, (stop themselves from doing something they shouldn’t do). Growing ability to distract self when upset, e. G. By engaging in a new play activity. May form a special friendship with another child. 36-48 Months Listens to and Joins in with stories and poems, one-to- one and also in small groups.
Joins in with repeated refrains and anticipates key events and phrases in rhymes and Suggests how the story might end. Listens to stories with increasing attention and recall. Describes main story settings, events and principal characters. Shows interest in illustrations and print in books and print in the environment. Recognizes familiar words and signs such as own name and advertising logos. Looks at books independently, knows information can be relayed in the form of print. Uses some number names accurately in play. Recites numbers in order to 10, knows that numbers identify how many objects are in a set.
Beginning to represent numbers using fingers, marks on paper or pictures. Sometimes matches numeral and quantity correctly. Shows interest in shape by sustained construction activity or by talking about shapes or arrangements. Shows interest in shapes in the environment. Remembers and talks about significant events in their own experience. Recognizes and describes special times or events for family or friends. Shows interest in different occupations and ways of life. Knows how to operate simple equipment, knows that information can be retrieved room computers.
Explores and learns how sounds can be changed. Explores color and how colors can be changed. Beginning to construct, stacking blocks vertically and horizontally, making enclosures and creating spaces, Joins construction pieces together to build and balance. Engages in imaginative role-play based on own first-hand experiences, builds stories around toys. Captures experiences and responses with a range of media, such as music, dance and paint and other materials or words. Communication Listens to others one to one or in small groups, when conversation interests them. Stories.
Focusing attention – still listen or do, but can shift own attention. Is able to follow directions (if not intently focused on own choice of activity). Understands use of objects (“What do we use to cut things? “) Shows understanding of prepositions such as ‘under’, ‘on top’, ‘behind’ by carrying out an action or selecting correct picture. Responds to simple instructions, e. G. To get or put away an object. Beginning to understand Why and ‘how questions. Beginning to use more complex sentences to link thoughts (using and, because). Can retell a simple past event in correct order (went down slide, hurt finger).
Uses talk to connect ideas, explain what is happening and anticipate what might happen next, recall and relive past experiences. Questions why things happen and gives explanations. Asks who, what, when, how. Uses a range of tenses (play, playing, will play, played). Uses intonation, rhythm and phrasing to make the meaning clear to others. Uses vocabulary focused on objects and people that are of particular importance to them. Builds up vocabulary that reflects the breadth of their experiences. Uses talk in pretending that objects stand for something else in play, (this box is my castle. ‘). Filing, rolling, crawling, walking, running, Jumping, skipping, sliding and hopping). Mounts stairs, steps or climbing equipment using alternate feet. Walks downstairs, two feet to each step while carrying a small object. Runs skillfully and negotiates space successfully, adjusting speed or direction to avoid obstacles. Can stand momentarily on one foot when shown. Can catch a large ball. Draws lines and circles using gross motor movements. Uses one-handed tools and equipment, (makes snips in paper with child scissors). Holds pencil between thumb and two fingers, no longer using whole-hand grasp.
Holds pencil near point between first two fingers and thumb and uses it with good control. Can copy some letters, e. G. Letters from their name. Can tell adults when hungry or tired or when they want to rest or play. Observes the effects of activity on their bodies. Understands that equipment and tools have to be used safely. Gains more bowel and bladder control and can attend to toileting needs most of the time themselves. Can usually manage washing and drying hands. Dresses with help (puts arms into open-fronted coat or shirt when held up, pulls up own trousers, and pulls up zipper once it is fastened at the bottom).
