CENTER FOR EFFECTIVE PARENTING

CHILDREN’S
that 16-1/2 hours is an average, and the
hours infants sleep can range from eight
hours a day to 24 hours a day. Babies

DEVELOPMENT who sleep more or less than average are

just as normal as the ones who sleep the
THE FIRST YEAR average of 16-1/2 hours per day. It
seems that some babies, like adults,
While reading this information, please keep in mind appear to need more sleep than others,
that all children are unique. While the sequence of and some less.
development is practically the same for all children
(for example, most children learn to crawl before
they learn to walk), each child's rate of
Newborn babies may frequently appear to
development is different. There is a wide variation be in a twilight state between sleeping
in normal development. Some children reach and waking. During the first months,
developmental milestones earlier than others. most infants are alert about one out of
Some reach them later than others. Rarely does a
every ten hours. Many babies during this
delay in reaching a developmental milestone mean
that there is a problem. In most cases, delays early phase of life do not follow a rigid
turn out to be normal. Remember that premature schedule. Daily patterns of sleeping,
infants generally reach developmental milestones crying, and eating will probably be very
later than other infants of the same birth age. disorganized and unpredictable.
Parents with any questions or concerns about their
children's development should contact their
children's health care provider. *Feeding/Bodily Functions. During the
first week of life, most infants require
BIRTH TO TWO MONTHS about seven to eight feedings per day. By
the end of the first month, the frequency
*Appearance. Newborn infants do not of feedings will decrease to about five to
usually resemble the dimpled, softly six daytime feedings and two night
rounded bundles that are often seen in feedings.
television commercials. Many parents are
surprised when they are presented with a During the first week of life, most
wrinkled, puffy faced, lumpy headed, infants will move their bowels often and
oddly colored, crooked shaped little sporadically, but by the end of the first
creature. The infants shown in most month, bowel movements will occur about
television commercials are in fact closer three to four times per day.
to five or six months in age. New
parents, thus, should not expect their Senses
newborns to be raving beauties.
At birth newborns are especially sensitive
*Sleep. The average sleeping time for to the sights and sounds of other human
babies during their first month of life is beings. For most infants, their senses
16-1/2 hours, taken in 7 to 8 daily naps. are working at birth, but not as
It is important for parents to remember completely and accurately as an adult's.

Written by Kristin Zolten, M.A. & Nicholas Long, Ph.D., Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Artwork by Scott Snider
©1997, 2006 Page 1
 Highlights in Physical Development
*Vision. Vision is a very important sense
in the developing infant. Intellectual *Reflexes. During the first week of life
development and learning begin with eye infants' whole bodies respond to sudden
contact and visual tracking. At birth, changes in the environment. At this time
infants have blurred vision, but by the infants' arm, leg, and hand movements will
end of the first month, they can see their be primarily controlled by reflexes. As
parents' faces and distinct patterns. children grow older, these reflexes will
During the first month of life, infants begin to disappear. By two months of age
learn to focus at a distance of 8-10 most actions will be voluntary, not
inches. At one month of age, infants are reflexive.
able to follow objects with their eyes,
and by two months they will prefer to One such reflex that infants have at
look at people rather than objects. At birth is the grasp reflex. During the
this time infants are able to watch a first month of life, infants will grasp
person alertly and directly, and they will objects put into their hands when their
be able to follow a moving person with fingers are pried open, but this reflex
their eyes. will begin to disappear after the first
month, and grasp will later become
*Hearing. The sense of hearing is fairly voluntary.
well developed in infants at birth. In
fact, it is thought that infants are able *Head/Neck. The development of head
to hear sounds in the womb up to four and neck strength is a continuous process.
months before birth. Studies have shown At birth, most infants are able to turn
that infants seem to prefer the sound of their heads from side to side while lying
the human voice over any other sound, on their backs. When on their stomachs,
and that they prefer higher toned they can usually lift their heads a few
(usually female) voices. It is important, centimeters into the air. When placed in
therefore, for parents to talk to their a sitting position, infants' heads will
newborns, even though they cannot wobble uncontrollably if not supported.
understand, to stimulate hearing As infants grow and develop, they will be
development. By the end of the first able to control their head and neck
month, most infants will be able to movements more and more. At about one
respond physically to sounds in some way, month of age, infants' heads will still be
such as by startling, crying, or quieting. unsteady when they are held or pulled
into a sitting position. By two months of
*Taste/Smell. Newborns are probably as age, most infants are able to lift their
sensitive to taste stimulation as they will heads for a few seconds to about a 45
ever be at any time in their lives. Sense degree angle.
of smell is present at birth, too.

Written by Kristin Zolten, M.A. & Nicholas Long, Ph.D., Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Artwork by Scott Snider
©1997, 2006 Page 2
*General Physical Development. One of their mother's face. Infants this age will
the first developmental milestones probably stop crying when they are
reached by infants is the ability to roll picked up by their mother, because they
over. At about one month of age, many know that their mother is a source of
infants are able to roll part way to the comfort.
side when lying on their backs. During
the first month, infants begin to move TWO TO FOUR MONTHS
their arms and legs in an energetic
manner. Senses

Highlights in *Vision. By two months of age, infants

Cognitive/Language Development are much more attentive to visual stimuli
and may be able to track briefly (follow
*Language. At birth, the only way infants moving objects with their eyes). By two
can communicate is through crying. At and a half months, the focusing distance
birth, crying is a reflexive behavior, but of most infants is about twelve inches. If
the crying reflex begins to disappear something brightly colored is placed
during the first month of life, and infants within twelve inches of them, they will
then begin to cry deliberately for focus on it, and then follow it as it's
assistance. Between one and two months moved from side to side.
of age, infants will start to make gurgling
and cooing noises as a mark of pleasure *Hearing. The sense of hearing in infants
and contentment. At this age, infants is fairly well developed at birth. There is
may begin to grunt and sigh, too. evidence that infants respond more
positively to the human voice than to any
*What Baby Understands. Many parents other auditory stimulus. This preference
are unaware of how much their newborns for the human voice increases over the
are able to do and to understand. For first four months of life.
example, newborn infants can tell their
mother's voice from all others, and when Highlights in Physical Development
they hear their mother's voice, their
eyes will move in its direction. Newborn *Head/Neck. Between two and four
infants will also try to follow their months of age, the ability to control head
mother's face with their eyes (track) if and neck movements continues to improve.
it's less than twelve inches away. By one By three months of age infants, when
month of age infants will watch their placed on their backs, will probably be
mothers while they are talking, and if able to lift their heads to a 45 degree
their faces are close enough, infants will angle. When placed on their stomachs,
mimic speaking by opening and closing they will probably be able to lift their
their mouths. By one month of age, heads 90 degrees, with their weight
infants will also imitate movements of supported by their arms from the elbows

Written by Kristin Zolten, M.A. & Nicholas Long, Ph.D., Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Artwork by Scott Snider
©1997, 2006 Page 3
to the wrist. When lying on their Two to four month old infants begin to
stomachs, two to four month old infants use their mouths as a means of
will be able to raise their heads and hold exploration. It is also at this age that
them in this position for a few minutes at many infants begin to touch everything in
a time, and they may even look around. sight as a way of learning how to measure
distances using the hands and eyes.
*Grasp. At about two months of age, the Infants will first look at an object and
grasp reflex in most infants begins to then attempt to confirm distances by
disappear. Also, infants don't clench trying to reach it.
their hands as tightly as they once did.
During this period, infants will also begin Highlights in Social Development
to hold their hands open more often. By
three months of age infants' hands will By the end of the second month, most
generally stay open, though they may not infants will begin to smile easily and
be able to grasp anything for long. spontaneously. This is called
indiscriminate smiling, and it is one of the
Between two and four months of age, first social responses that infants make.
many babies begin to play with their own Indiscriminate smiling is spontaneous
hands, and they may clasp them or stare smiling that is not in response to any
at them. Grabbing is now a voluntary act, stimuli. By the end of the third month,
though infants may not be able to grasp the indiscriminate smile gives way to the
anything for very long. social smile. Infants will now smile in
response to the human voice, to express
*Rolling. At about three to four months pleasure, and they will smile when adults
of age infants are getting more and more smile at them.
adept at rolling, and they will probably be
able to roll over one way completely. During the period from two to four
months, most infants will show obvious
Highlights in signs of curiosity and interest in what's
Cognitive/Language Development going on around them. Infants will begin
to express pleasure when others are
During the period from two to four present by smiling, kicking, and waving
months infants are gradually becoming their arms. It is at this time that crying
more and more alert and expressive. usually decreases dramatically.
During this age range infants are learning
how to gurgle, coo, babble, and make Between three and four months of age,
other noises in addition to crying. The lip infants may begin to show fear of
and tongue movements that infants make strangers by
are their first attempts to reply to
verbal stimulation. turning away and possibly crying. It is at
this time that many infants begin to react

Written by Kristin Zolten, M.A. & Nicholas Long, Ph.D., Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Artwork by Scott Snider
©1997, 2006 Page 4
differently to their mothers than they do
to others. Infants this age may begin to *Grasp. During the period from four to
protest when left alone and will cry six months, most infants will be learning
differently when their mothers leave how to grasp, and they will begin to grasp
them than when others do. and hold objects for longer and longer
periods of time. As their grasp becomes
FOUR TO SIX MONTHS better, many infants can hold a bottle
with one or both hands. Many grasping
Highlights in Physical Development infants soon discover their legs and feet,
and they enjoy sucking on their own feet
*Rolling. Due to the increase in head, this way.
neck, and back strength, and also in
coordination, most infants are able to roll Grasp will become more and more steady,
from the stomach to the back by four and as this happens, many infants begin
months of age. By six months of age, picking up objects using the index and
most infants will be able to roll over from second fingers. By six months of age,
the back to the side. many infants are able to hold an object
between the index finger and the thumb
*Head/Neck. By four months of age, and can reach with one hand to grasp
most infants can turn their heads in all objects. As infants approach six months
directions when seated or lying down. By of age, they will finally begin to transfer
this time, most infants can hold their objects from hand to hand.
heads steady and erect for short periods
of time, and can hold their heads steady, *Sitting/Standing/Crawling. At about
without bobbing, when pulled by the arms four months of age, many infants will be
up into a sitting position. When lying on able to raise both their chests and legs
the stomach, most infants can lift their off the floor while making swimming
heads to a 90 degree angle by four movements with their arms. This is the
months of age. beginning of crawling behavior. Many
Due to the great increase in head and infants at this age will be able to move
neck strength by four months of age, themselves by rolling and twisting while
many infants can now sit propped up for lying on their backs and by kicking against
ten to fifteen minutes. Many are also flat surfaces.
able to sit in a high chair with a fair
amount of success. During the fifth month, many infants are
easily pulled into a standing position, and
By six months of age, most infants have many are able to stand firmly when held.
full head control and can hold their heads
in a steady position, even while sitting up. *Vision. During the period from four to
However, many infants will still need six months, most infants gradually
support to stay in the sitting position. become able to focus on objects at any

Written by Kristin Zolten, M.A. & Nicholas Long, Ph.D., Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Artwork by Scott Snider
©1997, 2006 Page 5
distance, and they will follow any moving distance and that objects still exist when
object that catches their attention. they disappear from sight. Memory skills
are also improving in infants at this age,
*Bodily Functions. By four months of and many infants begin to recognize
age, most infants establish a predictable familiar objects.
amount of time between feeding and
bowel movements. At this age most Highlights in Social Development
infants sleep about ten to eleven hours
per night. During the fourth month of Most infants begin to show an interest in
life, eating and sleeping patterns become toys and playthings at about four months
more regular in most infants. of age, and they may show a preference
for one or two toys. It is also at this age
Highlights in that infants begin to tell different faces
Cognitive/Language Development apart. Most infants at this age know
their mothers and other family members,
At four months of age, most infants are and they will probably begin to resent or
gradually becoming more and more vocal. object to strangers. As their vocal
Many begin introducing sounds and abilities increase, many infants will begin
imitating several tones. It is at this time to vocalize to get the attention of other
that many infants begin to laugh. people, either by making sounds or by
Another great achievement at this stage coughing or clicking the tongue. Many at
is the ability to squeal. Some parents this age can vocalize their moods,
may be disturbed by the loud noises their laughing when they’re happy and yelling
infants make, and they may think it’s a when they’re angry. As infants continue
form of crying, but actually, it’s an to vocalize in a social manner, they may
important new vocal ability. As infants begin to interrupt the conversations of
approach six months of age, they will others by vocalizing.
probably be able to say “aah goo” or some
similar vowel-consonant combination and Infants approaching five and six months
will begin to make wet, razzing sounds of age will become more and more wary of
with their mouths. strangers. At this age, many will greet
familiar people with a smile and strangers
Most infants at this age are still very with recognizable expressions of fear.
interested in exploring objects with their
mouths, but they are now beginning to be This period is a very important one for
more and more interested in looking at the social development of the child.
objects. In fact, by five months of age, Infants at this age enjoy being propped
many infants will actually lean over to look up so they can see what’s going on around
for a fallen object. This is an important them.
step in development because it signals
that infants are beginning to understand SIX TO NINE MONTHS

Written by Kristin Zolten, M.A. & Nicholas Long, Ph.D., Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Artwork by Scott Snider
©1997, 2006 Page 6
 themselves in all directions, and many can
Highlights in Physical Development roll over from their backs to their
stomachs.
*Eye/Hand Coordination. By six months
of age many infants will begin reaching *Sitting. At six months of age, the
for objects quickly without jerkiness and ability to sit is gradually improving. At
may be able to feed themselves a cracker this age infants may be able to sit
or similar food. Not only do infants this unsupported for a few seconds, and by
age try to get objects within their reach the seventh month most infants will be
but also objects out of their reach. Many able to sit for longer periods of time,
infants are also able to look from hand to though they will still be unsteady and may
object, to hold one object while looking have to bend forward to balance
for a second object, and to follow the themselves. By eight months most
movements of their hands with their infants will be able to sit up completely
eyes. At this age many infants begin to unsupported, and they will be able to turn
poke at objects with their index fingers. around while sitting.
After six months many infants may be
able to manipulate a cup and hold it by *Crawling/Walking. At six months of age,
the handle. Many infants this age begin most infants begin to support the top
to reach for objects with one arm instead half of their bodies on their
of both. At about eight months of age, as outstretched arms. One of the first
dexterity improves, many infants will use signs of crawling behavior is the ability to
a pincher movement to grasp small bend the knees below the body. After
objects, and they will begin to clap and six months of age, many infants will begin
wave their hands. After they begin to to creep by propelling on the stomach
clap their hands, they will then begin to with the legs and steering with the arms.
transfer objects from hand to hand, and Infants may begin to crawl forward,
bang objects together. backward, or both. As infants practice
and perfect the art of creeping and
*Feeding/Eating. During about the sixth crawling, they will begin to push up on
month of age, most infants begin to chew. their knees and rock back and forth,
This new ability, combined with increasing usually during the seventh month. At this
eye/hand coordination, allows infants to time, most infants are also able to creep
begin feeding themselves. At about six with an object in one or both hands.
months of age, many children begin to Between seven and eight months, some
develop preferences for certain foods, infants may be able to pull themselves up
and by eight months, many insist on to a standing position from a sitting
feeding themselves most of the time. position, get into a sitting position from
lying on the stomach, and walk holding on
*Rolling. After six months of age, many to furniture.
infants are able to twist and turn

Written by Kristin Zolten, M.A. & Nicholas Long, Ph.D., Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Artwork by Scott Snider
©1997, 2006 Page 7
 Highlights in holding them, rub their noses or pat their
Cognitive/Language Development faces.

By six months of age most infants begin During the sixth month, many children will
babbling with active vocalization, and smile and laugh spontaneously. As
these vocalizations will be in increasingly children approach seven months of age,
speech-like syllables. It is during this they will begin to smile at familiar people,
stage that infants listen to their own and will often stop crying when someone
vocalizations, and many will amuse speaks to them.
themselves by making sounds. As
language skills develop, infants will Six months of age is the time when many
respond to their own names, and they will infants begin to cry when left by their
be able to tell different voices apart. At mothers. This is because infants are
this age, many infants will appear to beginning to recognize that there is a
recognize words like “Daddy,” “Mama,” difference between parents and
and “bye-bye,” and they may be able to strangers. This is one of the first stages
say these words during the seventh of stranger anxiety. Separation anxiety
month, but without meaning. By eight also begins after six months of age, and
months of age, most infants will continue children often protest and become upset
to babble, but they will also be able to whenever they are left by their mothers.
shout to attract attention. This is a very important period for the
At six months of age, many infants will social development of children. It is at
begin to show preferences for certain this age that many infants begin playing
foods. Some will be able to sleep through simple games like pat-a-cake, and waving
the night by this time. bye-bye. Many children begin to show a
great desire to be included in social
During the seventh month of age, many interaction, and will probably wiggle and
children begin to learn the implications of squeal with delight in anticipation of play.
familiar acts. As they approach the Children this age seem to enjoy mirror
eighth month of age many will be able to play, and they may smile at their own
recall a past event or action of their own. images.

Highlights in Social Development NINE TO TWELVE MONTHS

By six months of age, social behavior in Highlights in Physical Development

infants becomes much more active.
Infants begin to pay much more attention *Hands/Grasp. After nine months of age,
to detail, and they are very interested in many children become increasingly better
the people around them. Infants at this at using the thumb and index finger to
age may pull the hair of people who are grasp objects and transfer them from
one hand to another. It is at this time

Written by Kristin Zolten, M.A. & Nicholas Long, Ph.D., Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Artwork by Scott Snider
©1997, 2006 Page 8
that many children begin to use their short period of time. During the ninth
index fingers to poke into holes. By this month, most infants make a determined
time, many children are also able to effort to crawl, and by ten months, many
manipulate two objects, one with each will be able to crawl with straight arms
hand, and they may drop one of two and legs. It is also during the period
objects to get a third. During the tenth from nine to ten months that many babies
month, many children begin to prefer one begin to pull themselves into a standing
hand and side of the body to the other. position, either holding on to furniture or
During the eleventh month, as children someone’s hands or legs. Soon
become better and better at grasping and afterwards, between ten and eleven
picking up objects, they can pick up very months, many children can get down from
small objects. Also during the eleventh a standing to a sitting position. Between
month, many children start to hold and eleven and twelve months, many children
use crayons, place and remove objects are able to hold on to a piece of
into and from a container, lift lids off of furniture, like a couch, and move along
boxes, and turn the pages of a book, side of it. By the end of the tenth
though probably not one at a time. month, many children will probably be
able to stand alone momentarily,
*Self-feeding. After nine months of age, progressing to standing alone quite well
many children are able to feed by eleven to twelve months of age.
themselves finger foods and many can
hold their own bottles. During the tenth Highlights in
month, many babies can drink from a cup Cognitive/Language Development
when it’s held, and by eleven months,
many will probably be able to drink from a Between nine and ten months of age,
cup without help. By eleven months, also, many infants will uncover a toy they have
many children can carry a spoon to their seen someone else hide. Many infants are
mouths. also able to remember games played the
previous day. During the period from
*Sitting. After nine months of age, most eleven to twelve months, most babies
children can sit erect with good control begin to explore space by throwing things
and can sit alone steadily for long periods down. This game may be annoying to some
of time. parents, but it is a game thoroughly
enjoyed by many infants this age. Many
*Crawling/Walking/Standing. Babies children are also learning to follow simple
between nine and twelve months of age instructions, and they may anticipate a
are getting increasingly better at moving reward for the successful completion of
themselves around, and it is very an act or a command. As children
important for parents to make sure their approach eleven months of age, they
children are monitored constantly. It is begin to associate properties with things
unwise to leave them alone for even a (for example, they may be able to

Written by Kristin Zolten, M.A. & Nicholas Long, Ph.D., Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Artwork by Scott Snider
©1997, 2006 Page 9
associate a bark with a dog, a coffee cup
with the word hot).

By nine months of age most babies have

begun vocalizing to toys, people, and
animals in sentence-like syllables. Many
children this age seem to listen carefully
to the conversations of other people.
They may also imitate sounds they hear in
these conversations. The first word-like
sounds made by babies are usually of the
consonant sounds p, b, m, t, and d.

Most babies say their first words

between ten and eleven months of age.
Most of what is said is still gibberish, but
sounds will be increasingly more
intelligible as children approach eleven to
twelve months. Most babies are able to
say two words besides “mama” and “dada”
by the time they reach one year of age.

Center for Effective Parenting

Little Rock Center: (501) 364-7580
NW Arkansas Center: (479) 751-6166

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Written by Kristin Zolten, M.A. & Nicholas Long, Ph.D., Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Artwork by Scott Snider
©1997, 2006 Page 10