Normal Development
The most rapid changes in development occur during the first
year of life. A baby grows from a helpless little bundle into a walking,
talking, unique personality. Almost all parents wonder if their baby is
developing at the right pace. There is wide variation in normal development.
Although the average child walks at 12 months, the normal age for walking is
any time between 9 and 16 months of age. Motor development occurs in an
orderly sequence, starting with lifting the head, then rolling over, sitting
up, crawling, standing, and walking. Although the sequence is predictable and
follows the maturation of the spinal cord downward, the rate at which these
stages happen varies. Speech develops from cooing to babbling, to imitating
speech sounds, to first words, to using words together. Again, however, the
normal rate can vary considerably.
The most reassuring signs that a child is developing normally
are an alert facial expression, alert eyes, and curiosity about his or her
surroundings. The main determinant of a child's social, emotional, and
language development is the amount of positive contact he or she has with his
parents and other caregivers. The experiences during the first 3 years of life
determines the permanent "wiring" of the brain.
Ways to Stimulate Your Child's
Normal Development
- Hold your baby as much as
possible.
Touching and cuddling is good for your baby. Give him or her
lots of eye contact, smiles, and affection. Use feedings as a special
opportunity for these warm personal interactions.
- Talk to your baby.
Babies of all ages enjoy being talked and sung to. Talk
while you're doing chores. Tell your child the name of everything your child
touches or does. Sing silly songs with your child. Babies must first hear
language before they can use it themselves. You don't need a script--just
put into words whatever you are thinking and feeling.
- Play with your baby.
If this doesn't come easy for you, try to loosen up and
rediscover your free spirit. Respond to your baby's attempts to initiate
play. Provide your baby with various objects of interest. Toys need not be
expensive; for example, homemade mobiles, rattles, spools, pots and pans,
and boxes. Encourage your baby's efforts at discovering how to use his or
her hands and mind.
- Read to your baby.
Even 4-month-olds enjoy looking at pictures in a book. Cut
out interesting pictures from magazines and put them in a scrapbook for your
baby. Look at the family photo album. By 8 months of age, begin reading
stories to your child. Move on to nursery rhymes. Reading to your child
correlates better with later school success than anything else you can do.
Never let the sun set without having read at least 1 book to your child.
- Teach sign language.
Teach your baby to communicate with elementary sign language
starting at 7 or 8 months old. Books and classes are available. Within 1 to
2 months, your child will be signing many words.
- Show your baby the world.
Enrich his or her experience. Point out leaves, clouds,
stars, and rainbows. Help your toddler describe what she sees or
experiences. Everything we see or do has a name.
- Pretend with your child.
Many children talk more freely while they are pretending.
Choose 2 stuffed animals, give one to your child, hold the other and pretend
they talk to each other. Pretend you're in a space ship. Make up stories
about anything.
- Provide your child with social
experiences with other children by age 2 years.
If he or she is not in day care, consider starting or
joining a play group. Young children can learn important lessons from each
other, especially how to get along with other people.
- Avoid formal teaching until age 4
or 5.
Some groups have recently overemphasized academic
(cognitive) development of young children. The effort to create "superkids"
through special lessons, drills, computer programs, and classes can put
undue pressure on young children and may result in an early loss of interest
in learning. Old-fashioned creative play and spontaneous learning provide a
foundation for later academic efforts and are much more beneficial during
the early years.
Call Your Child's Health Care
Provider During Office Hours If Your Child Does Not Meet the Following
Developmental Milestones:
Speech and hearing
- Makes gurgling, cooing, or babbling sounds by age 3
months.
- Turns head to quiet sounds or whispers by age 9 months.
- Makes "ma-ma" and "da-da" sounds by age 12 months.
- Uses at least 3 specific words by age 2 years.
Fine motor skills
- Plays with hands by touching them together by age 6
months.
- Uses fingers to put pieces of food in mouth by age 12
months.
- Uses a cup without spilling by age 18 months.
Gross motor skills
- Supports own weight on legs when held under the arms by a
parent by age 6 months.
- Rolls over by age 9 months.
- Sits without support by age 9 months.
- Walks across a large room without help by age 18 months.
