Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “bye-bye” are called developmental milestones. Use these general milestone guidelines to see how your baby is developing. Each day you watch them grow will be a memory you cherish.
How well a child’s physical, social and emotional needs are met affects how the child’s brain will grow and develop. Understanding how children grow and learn will help you know what to expect and what you can do to help your child develop. There are four main areas of child development: physical, social, emotional, and cognitive:
Growth including height, weight, muscles, and the five senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell), including coordination of muscle movements.
Ability to connect with others, understand rules and develop values, and cooperate as a member of a family, peer group, and society.
Ability to understand and express feelings and control emotions.
Ability to learn and to use logic and reason to solve problems.
If your child was premature, keep in mind that babies born early usually need a bit more time to meet their milestones. Health care providers, daycare staff, and home visitors can help you monitor your child’s development, identify concerns, and make referrals for help when needed.
In your baby’s first few months of life, they will grow in leaps and bounds!
Learn what precious moments to expect in the first year of life.
It is important to know how your baby is developing and spot any signs of concern early. Most babies reach certain milestones at similar ages, so speak with your child’s health care provider if you have any concerns about how they are growing. Concerned about a child’s development or need early intervention support? Connect with these resources.
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