The development of a baby happens so quickly that tracking it through child development milestones has become quite common, even among pediatricians. This tracking is also used for diagnosing diseases.
Concept
Child development milestones are simply the characteristics that a baby (newborn) acquires as the days (months) go by.
These characteristics help the baby to lead a more independent life in the future. In this article, we will cite the milestones that happen at a certain age in the child’s life, and there may be more than one milestone.
Child Development Milestones – First Year
1st month
By the first month of life, it is expected that the baby will react to sounds. Clap your hands or shake a rattle about 30 cm from each ear of the child and see if they react with eye movements or changes in facial expression.
They also lift their head. Place the baby on their stomach and see if they lift their head, raising (moving) the chin off the surface without turning to one side.
They can already observe a face. Check by positioning your face approximately 30 cm above the child’s face and see if they look at you, obviously.
2nd month
You might be able to see your baby smile before the second month, but this is when it officially appears when you talk to the child.
But don’t tickle or touch their face. See if the baby actually responds to your smile.
It can happen earlier, but again, the emission of sounds happens this month. See if the baby makes any sound other than crying.
At this age, the movement of the lower and upper limbs is intense.
3rd month
The baby already gives a “social” response when spoken to.
See if they respond with a smile and sounds, as if they are talking to you when stimulated with a conversation. The baby already holds objects. Offer an object touching the back of their hand.
They will certainly open their hands and hold the object for at least a few seconds. And now the emitted sounds become more legible like “anguu,” “eeee.”
4th month
The baby already searches for certain objects. Place an object within the child’s reach, drawing their attention to it.
Now, see if they try to reach it. They also start the phase of bringing objects to their mouth.
They can tell where sounds come from. Make soft noises with toys and see if the baby turns towards the source of the sound.
The baby now requires a greater dose of care, as they actively change position, rolling a lot in their crib.
5th month
At this age, the baby can already distinguish primary colors and be distracted by their feet and hands.
They also recognize their own name and may be startled by strangers.
They can sit for a short time without support. They may be ready for the introduction of salty and solid foods.
6th month
Babies of this age love playing “peek-a-boo.” They transfer objects from one hand to another, duplicate syllables, and finally sit without support.
A small portion of children this age may drag themselves or crawl.
7th month
The baby imitates speech sounds at this age and combines syllables into sounds that appear in words. They bang objects together.
A small portion of children this age stand holding onto something and know how to signal “bye.” And half can crawl or drag themselves.
8th month
Most babies already say “mama” or “dada,” but both for the father and mother, they point to objects, showing what they want with gestures, and finally start crawling. However, a minority of children this age walk unsupported.
9th month
Officially, the baby stands holding onto something and walks around the house this way.
They also make pincer movements (thumb and index finger) to pick up small things.
10th month
Officially, the baby signals “bye” and crawls very easily.
They respond to their name and understand “no.” A minority can place objects inside containers.
11th month
The child can drink liquids from a cup and already says another word besides “mama”/”dada.”
When standing, they can lean, imitate others’ actions, and understand small instructions.
12th month
The baby says sounds similar to words, takes a few steps, some can scribble with crayons or pencils, and even walk very well. And they say two words besides “mama”/”dada.”
Child Development Milestones – Second Year
1 year and 1 month
A child this age uses two words correctly (like “bye” or “mama”).
They bend down to pick up an object and stand without support. Some love looking at their reflection in the mirror and playing hide and seek with their hands.
Also, many of them can put something inside a container.
1 year and 2 months
The baby can already pick up food with their fingers and bring it to their mouth, empty the contents of pots, boxes, and drawers, and imitate others.
They can walk relatively well, have the initiative to start playing, and even point to body parts following verbal instructions.
If stimulated, they may be able to use a fork or spoon.
1 year and 3 months
The baby can play with a ball, has a vocabulary of about 5 words, and can walk backward.
Some children can run; others adopt the word “no” as their favorite!
1 year and 4 months
The child starts having tantrums when frustrated, adopts a cloth as a transition object, and can turn the page of a little book.
Some can build a tower of blocks, already know the right way to use some objects like a phone, broom, etc. However, a minority goes from two daily naps to just one.
1 year and 5 months
The vocabulary constantly increases. The baby likes to build toys and play pretend.
They already respond to orders like “sit here.” The speech becomes increasingly clear.
1 year and 6 months (18 months)
At this stage, they start pedaling a tricycle, like scribbling, and flipping through books.
Some children this age brush their teeth with help, combine words to form sentences, and can build towers with four cubes or blocks.
1 year and 7 months
Children are able and can use a fork and spoon, run from one side to another.
They can throw a ball over the shoulder. About half of what they say is understandable.
1 year and 8 months
The pretend play officially happens at this age. The child pretends to feed the doll.
They acquire about 10 new words a day, some can climb stairs and take off their clothes.
1 year and 9 months
Children this age can play with a ball, climb steps, establish simple objects, like putting a toy in a specific place.
Some form simple sentences like “want food,” identify something in an illustration, and say the name and even go down stairs.
1 year and 10 months
The child already kicks a ball forward and imitates the behavior of others.
They also follow two-part instructions, like “get your toy and bring it here.”
Some can assemble small puzzles and identify body parts.
1 year and 11 months
They build a tower of four blocks, can use 50 single words.
Some sing simple songs, say two or three-word sentences, and even start to be interested in playing with other children.
24 months (2 years)
The 2-year-old child can already identify at least six body parts on a doll, make themselves understood with half of what they say, and even build short sentences.
Some children at this age also start talking about themselves, categorizing objects.
Avoiding Comparisons
It is always important to be aware of the child development milestones concerning your child, but avoid comparisons.
The content above is subject to early or delayed development in your child. And often, this means nothing. This happened with Estevão.
Can you believe he called me “mama” at 18 months? Before that, he said “dada” (the nursery caregiver).
Moreover, I clearly understood his first word when he was 2 years old.
According to our list, the child should speak something legible well before 2 years old, right? That wasn’t the case with my child.
Not to mention the part of toilet training, which was very late due to intestinal problems. And the part about children wanting to play with other children?
Here that happened around 3 years old, or a little more. I left work, and that changed our routine a lot.
I consider child development milestones just a guide, to decide whether to seek help or not.
An additional piece of information so we are not negligent with our greatest treasure, our children.
Was this information useful for you? I hope so! And even more, if it was indeed useful, share it with the moms you know!
And comment below what you thought, suggestions, let’s talk!
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