Child Development

Growth and Development

There is no such thing as "normal growth." In terms of weight gain, changes in behavior, language, and the ability to walk, only averages exist and all children develop at different rates. If a child does not walk when it is assumed that he should be walking, but does so shortly thereafter, it is not a sign of poor development. By the same token, if a child is late to talk, this in not an indication of slower development of his or her intelligence. Read the following stages of normal development and discuss your questions with your doctor or nurse.

1 month old:

• Responds to sounds by blinking, crying, changes in breathing patterns, and by showing a reaction of surprise.
• Sleeps from three to four hours at a time and remains awake for an hour or more at a time.

2-3 months old:

• When spoken to, responds with vocalizations.
• Responds to the voices and faces of parents.
• When the baby is lying on its back, it lifts its head, neck and upper body with the support of arms.

4-5 months old:

• When the baby is in an upright position, it holds his head up and raises its body with his hands.
• Reaches for objects
• Improved control of head.
• Mobiles are of much interest.
• Displays spontaneous smile in response to social stimuli.
• Is able to sleep without a bottle or without having been breast fed.

6-8 months old:

• Can turn over in bed without help.
• When sitting, is able to hold its head up.
• Can stand up with help.
• Grasps objects and puts them in his mouth and begins to eat independently.
• Transfers small objects from one hand to another.
• May begin to appear anxious with strangers.
• May cut its first tooth.

9-11 months old:

• Responds to his own name.
• Understands words such as "no-no" and "bye-bye."
• Imitates vocal sounds.
• Plays games like peek-a-boo in which he/she participates.
• Crawls, creeps or moves ahead moving hips.
• Hits and throws objects.
• Eats using own fingers.
• Begins to use a cup.
• Occasionally feels anxious with strangers.

1 year old:

• Plays social games.
• Has a vocabulary of 1 to 3 words.
• Can stand up with support and take a few unassisted steps.
• Drinks from a cup.
• Tries to find hidden objects.
• Waves to say good-bye.

15 to 18 months old:

• Points to one or more body parts.
• Understands simple illustrations.
• Has a vocabulary of 15 to 20 words. 
• Names objects and illustrations when read a story from a book.

2 years old:  

• Can kick a ball with foot.
• Can build towers from toy blocks.
• Can follow instructions with two steps.

3 years old:

• Can stand on one foot.
• Can jump in place.
• Knows name, age and gender.
• Can draw a circle and a cross.
• Eats and can dress without supervision.

4 years old:

• Sings songs.
• Is aware of his/her gender.
• Knows first and last name.
• Can put activities and experiences into words.
• Can jump.
• Can throw a ball with hand.

5 years old:

• Dresses without help.
• Counts on fingers.
• Can draw triangles and squares.
• Draws a person with a head, body, arms, and legs.
• Can write some letters.
• Plays at disguising him/herself and plays games of fantasy.

6-7 years old:

• Knows all of the vowels and consonants.
• Vocabulary comprehension is about 20,000 words.
• Understands the concept of time.
• Can write the alphabet and one-syllable words.
• Can read approximately 10 words.
• Can count to 100.

8 years old and older:

• Can read and will improve as he/she advances in school.
• Friends begin to take on more importance.
• Physical growth begins to increase rapidly between 10 and 12 years of age.
• Independence from the family begins around 10 years of age.