At birth a baby’s brain has 100,000,000,000 cells, but its brain is only about one quarter developed. The connections between these cells are formed as a result of all of the baby’s experiences, this is the start of the communication processes in this new neural network in the brain.
By the age of 2 a child normally has the same number of connections as an adult; by the age 3 a child has three times as many connections as an adult!
Baby / Infant Development
| Age |
Motor behaviour |
Hand-eye co-ordination |
Emotional |
Social |
Senses |
| 1 month |
Prefers to lay on back.Heads are ‘wobbly’, their necks are not strong enough to support their head properly. |
Looks at object held directly in field of vision.Grasps reflexively if object is placed in hand.Eyes begin to co-ordinate. |
Generalised tension |
Some babies will sleep as much as 20 hours per day.Responsive to mother’s face and voice within hours of birth.They communicate by crying; to express anger, hunger, pain. |
At birth hearing is nearly completely developed. Can track sounds from birth.At birth vision is limited, fixed focal distance of 8 –12 inches.Can recognise mother’s smell from birth.Can distinguish some textures from birth.Can differentiate sweet and sour tastes from birth. |
| 2 to 3 months |
Can lift head to 45° and extend legs whilst laying on stomach.
|
Follows object visually within a limited range.Looks at object but can only grasp by reflex.Can hold a rattle in hand. |
Shows delight, distress and smiles at a face. |
First smile. Smiles when stimulated.Coos and chuckles.Shows attachment to most immediate carers. |
Learning to focus.Can track moving people and objects.Colour vision is developing more fully.All sounds will be interesting.Starts to vocalise – ‘babbles’. |
| 4 months |
Can roll from back to side.Can lift head to 90° and extend legs and arms whilst lying on stomach.Is able to sit propped up for around 10 to 15 minutes. |
Follows objects with eyes through 180°.May touch or grasp an object when presented with it.Explores toys with their mouth. |
Enjoys being cuddled and comforted. |
Can be easily excited or upset. Smiles broadly and laughs aloud when pleased. |
Searches for sounds with eyes.Perception of depth of vision is developing.Colour vision completely developed.Will listen intently for words and sounds, is differentiating sounds.Will respond to every sound.Will ‘babble’ along with songs or conversation. |
| 5 to 6 months |
Rolls from back to stomach.Will often ‘bounce’ when held in standing position.Sits with assistance. |
Can grasp small block using palm grasp, there is little use of thumb and forefingers.Cannot pick up tiny objects, but may scratch at them.Sometimes holds own bottle with one or two hands. |
|
Talks’ to toys, makes gurgling sounds.Can distinguish between family members and newcomers. Responds to name. |
Sight is becoming as good as an adults.Will realise where sound is coming from, turns to locate source.Should now recognise own name.Starts non-specific language – ‘bababa’ or dadada’ etc. |
| 7 to 8 months |
Can lift feet to mouth when lying on back.Able to sit erect for a few minutes unsupported. |
Able to grasp a small block.Able to transfer toys from hand to hand. |
Emotional attachment to mother is stronger.Protests when separated from mother. |
Vowel sounds in series. Becomes more attached to immediate carers.Will understand the meaning of ‘no’. |
Vision almost fully developed although short range is still better than long range sight. |
| 9 to 10 months |
Creeps on hands and knees, some babies may never crawl (may go straight to walking).Can sit indefinitely. Able to pull self to standing position and ‘cruise’ along table.Often able to sit from the standing position. |
Pokes at objects with forefinger.Able to play ‘pat-a-cake’.May uncover a toy they have seen hidden.Waves ‘goodbye’ or plays ‘pat-a-cake’. |
Emotions are getting more complex: displays anger and affection.Fear of strangers.Displays curiosity and explores. |
Shouts to get attention.Displays an absorption in games.Has a fascination with sound, will want to bang or rattle objects. |
Tries to imitate sounds but may not be understandable.Uses own language. |
| 11 months |
Actively pulls self to feet and ‘cruises’ along table.Will often stand alone without support.Able to walk if hand is held and may take a few steps alone.Co-ordination is developing. |
Begins to use the pincer grasp on smaller objects, uses thumb opposition on larger objects.May try to stack blocks. |
Fear being left with carers. |
Shows or offers toys. |
|
| 12 months |
Able to get up and walk unaided, may take several steps alone.Creeps up stairs on hands and knees.May be able to squat or stoop without losing balance.Able to throw a ball. |
May help to turn the pages of a book.Able to stack blocks.Enjoys putting objects into containers and taking them out again.Understands that an object can be hidden, able to find toys hidden under things. |
Still shy with strangers. |
Understands ‘give it to me’.Starts to copy and imitate actions and to repeat words. |
Says first words – ‘mama’, ‘dada’. |
| 12 to 18 months |
Walks alone. |
Enjoys putting in and taking out. Builds a two block tower. |
Still dependant on mother, very upset when separated. |
Will respond to some requests. |
Puts two words together. |
| 18 to 24 months |
Walks up and down stairs. Runs well. |
Turns pages of book on own.Handles spoon well, can feed without spilling. |
Temper tantrums.Knows who to trust.
|
Tells immediate experiences.Does opposite of what he is told. |
Puts three words together.Uses at least 10 words.Can name body parts. |
| 24 to 36 months |
Uses fork with ease. Puts on coat. Jumps on spot, if shown. Pedals tricycle.
|
Holds pencil in fingers rather than hand.Kicks a ball. |
Fear of separation.Facial expressions can differentiate anger, sorrow & joy.Sense of humour.Becoming independent. |
Uses ‘I’ and ‘me’.Solitary play.Little concept of others as ‘people’. |
Uses simple pronouns.Spontaneous speech, 75% understandable. |
It must be noted that the above information is for guidance only some children develop later, some earlier. If your baby / infant is not doing some of these activities listed above it does not mean that there is something wrong. But if you do have concerns about development of your child talk to your doctor or pediatrician.
Baby / Infant Development 
