The first year of a child’s life is packed with moments of wonder, joy, and an immense amount of growth. As parents, it’s only natural to be curious about what to expect and to compare these expectations with what’s happening in real-time with your little one. As you navigate this whirlwind of firsts, here’s a month-by-month guide to your baby’s developmental milestones.
In the initial eight weeks, your little one is just beginning to explore the world. You’ll be amazed at how quickly they adapt and grow during this time.
Your baby’s physical movements are beginning to show the earliest signs of coordination and strength. Most babies will:
As they begin to recognize sounds, your baby’s vocalizations are their first steps in communication. Most babies will:
Even at this young age, your baby’s brain is rapidly developing, showing initial signs of curiosity and recognition. Most babies will:
Your baby is starting to form emotional bonds, displaying the earliest emotions and responses to you and their surroundings. Most babies will:
Feeding is a fundamental activity, and your baby is beginning to show more refined suckling and swallowing abilities. Most babies will:
By now, your baby has started to become more alert and interactive. The four-month mark is often seen as a turning point, where your baby’s personality begins to shine through.
At four months, you’ll start to see more deliberate movements from your baby, showcasing their growing strength and coordination. Most babies will:
Your baby is becoming increasingly communicative. Those initial coos evolve into more varied sounds, signaling their desire to engage with you and the world. Most babies will:
Your baby’s curiosity is blossoming. Their ability to focus and explore objects hints at their developing cognitive skills. Most babies will:
The bond between you and your baby deepens, and their reactions to people and their surroundings become more distinct. This is a time of budding social interactions and emotional expressions. Most babies will:
Feeding times might become more interactive as your baby becomes more aware of flavors and the act of eating. Their growing interest in food offers glimpses of their budding palate. Most babies will:
At the halfway mark of the first year, your baby’s development accelerates. They become more active and curious, and their interactions with the world around them become more dynamic.
Six months in, your baby is getting stronger and starting to test their physical abilities. At this stage, most babies can:
As your baby approaches the six-month mark, they’re beginning to experiment with sounds and might be more responsive to your voice. Your baby may start to:
Your six-month-old is becoming more aware and engaged with their surroundings. Their cognitive skills are blossoming as they:
By six months, your baby is forming deeper emotional connections and starting to showcase their little personality. At this stage, your baby may:
Feeding becomes an exciting time for both you and your six-month-old as they might be ready to explore new tastes and textures. At this stage, your baby may:
As the months fly by, your baby’s mobility and sense of independence might start to surprise you. Their eagerness to explore is palpable, and their development is nothing short of extraordinary.
By nine months, your little explorer is becoming more adept with their movements, getting closer to the world of crawling, and possibly even standing. At this age, your baby should start to:
Your baby’s vocalizations are evolving, and they may be using sounds and gestures more purposefully to communicate with you. At this age, your baby could start to:
Your baby’s curiosity is insatiable. Their developing cognitive skills help them interact with and understand their environment in new ways as they:
At this stage, your baby’s emotions become more pronounced, and they may show clear preferences for certain people and things. Your baby may start to:
As your baby’s diet begins to expand, you’ll notice them showing more interest in a variety of textures and flavors, making mealtime an exciting adventure. At this age, your baby could start to:
Congratulations! Your baby’s first year is a significant milestone for both of you. By now, your little one is likely eager to explore even more of their surroundings and might even be taking those tentative first steps.
As your twelve-month-old becomes increasingly mobile, you’ll witness their newfound physical capabilities, which can be both astonishing and delightful. By their first birthday, your little one is likely able to:
Your baby’s attempts to communicate have become more refined and intentional by twelve months. Engage with their blossoming language skills and watch as they try to express themselves. As they approach 12 months, you might be delighted to hear your baby beginning to:
Your one-year-old’s cognitive development is advancing rapidly, allowing them to better understand and engage with the world around them. Your one-year-old’s mind is buzzing with activity, and you might notice them starting to:
Emotionally and socially, your 12-month-old is blossoming. It’s possible you’ll see behaviors such as:
By twelve months, your baby’s dietary landscape has expanded dramatically. From initial milk feedings to exploring varied textures and flavors, their feeding journey is truly remarkable. With growing curiosity for food, by 12 months, your child could be starting to:
Supporting your baby’s developmental journey is one of the most fulfilling roles as a parent. While every baby progresses at their own pace, there are many ways you can actively nurture and encourage their growth. Here’s how you can help your child in their developmental adventures:
Always remember, each child is unique. If you ever have concerns, consult the caring pediatric therapists at More to Say, LLC. Your child’s journey is theirs alone, but with your support, they’ll flourish beautifully.
Are you worried about your child’s development? Fill out the form below or call us at (203) 828-6790 to schedule an evaluation at our Branford, CT, or Oxford, CT, clinic today!
