Source: bing.comAs a new parent, you may be wondering what to expect in terms of your baby’s development. It can be difficult to know what milestones your baby should be hitting and when. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll take a look at what baby develops first and provide you with a guide to early childhood milestones.
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What Baby Develops First?
Babies are amazing little creatures who develop at an astonishing rate. From the moment they are born, they are learning and growing. So, what baby develops first? Let’s take a look at some of the earliest milestones:
Gross Motor Skills
Gross motor skills refer to the ability to control and coordinate large muscles in the body. This includes things like rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and eventually walking. These skills usually develop in a predictable sequence, with rolling over typically occurring around 4 months, sitting up around 6 months, crawling around 8-10 months, and walking around 12-14 months.
Fine Motor Skills
Fine motor skills refer to the ability to control and coordinate small muscles in the body, such as those in the hands and fingers. This includes things like grasping objects, picking up small items, and eventually writing. These skills usually develop later than gross motor skills, with grasping typically occurring around 3-4 months, picking up small items around 8-12 months, and writing around 3-4 years.
Language Development
Language development refers to the ability to communicate with others through speech, gestures, and facial expressions. Babies begin to communicate from birth, with crying being their primary means of communication. As they grow and develop, they will begin to make cooing and babbling sounds, and eventually say their first words. Most babies say their first words around 12 months, but this can vary widely.
Social and Emotional Development
Social and emotional development refers to the ability to form relationships with others and regulate one’s own emotions. This includes things like smiling, laughing, and responding to others’ emotions. Babies are social creatures from birth and will begin to show a preference for certain people, such as their parents, early on. They will also begin to develop a sense of trust and security in their primary caregivers.
Guide to Early Childhood Milestones
Now that we’ve taken a look at what baby develops first, let’s dive deeper into the milestones you can expect your baby to reach in their first few years of life.
0-3 Months
During this time, your baby will be working on building strength and coordination. They will begin to develop their senses, including their ability to see and hear. You can expect your baby to:
- Lift their head briefly when lying on their stomach
- Track moving objects with their eyes
- Smile in response to others
- Make cooing and gurgling sounds
- Bring their hands to their mouth
3-6 Months
During this time, your baby will become more interactive and begin to explore their environment. They will also start to develop their gross and fine motor skills. You can expect your baby to:
- Roll over from front to back and back to front
- Sit up with support
- Reach for and grasp toys
- Respond to their name
- Babble and imitate sounds
6-9 Months
During this time, your baby will become more mobile and independent. They will also begin to understand cause and effect. You can expect your baby to:
- Crawl or scoot on their belly
- Pull themselves up to standing
- Cruise around furniture
- Wave goodbye and clap hands
- Say their first word
9-12 Months
During this time, your baby will continue to develop their gross and fine motor skills. They will also become more communicative and start to understand simple instructions. You can expect your baby to:
- Walk with support or take a few steps independently
- Feed themselves finger foods
- Point to and name familiar objects
- Understand simple commands, such as “no” or “come here”
- Play simple games, such as peek-a-boo
12-24 Months
During this time, your toddler will become more independent and start to assert their own preferences and opinions. They will also continue to develop their language skills and become more social. You can expect your toddler to:
- Walk and run independently
- Use simple sentences and ask questions
- Show empathy and concern for others
- Play with others and share toys
- Begin to show interest in potty training
Frequently Asked Questions
When should my baby start to crawl?
Most babies will start to crawl between 8-10 months, but this can vary widely. Some babies may skip crawling altogether and go straight to walking.
When should my baby start to walk?
Most babies will start to walk around 12-14 months, but again, this can vary widely. Some babies may start walking as early as 9 months, while others may not walk until 18 months or later.
When should my baby start to talk?
Most babies will say their first word around 12 months, but some may start talking as early as 9 months or as late as 18 months.
How can I help my baby reach their milestones?
The best way to help your baby reach their milestones is to provide plenty of opportunities for exploration and play. Give them plenty of tummy time to build strength and coordination, provide toys and objects to grasp and manipulate, and talk to them frequently to help them develop their language skills.
When should I be concerned about my baby’s development?
Every baby develops at their own pace, so it’s important not to compare your baby to others. However, if you notice that your baby is significantly behind their peers in reaching milestones, or if they seem to be regressing in their skills, it’s a good idea to talk to your pediatrician.
In conclusion, understanding what baby develops first and what milestones to expect can help new parents feel more confident and prepared for their baby’s development. Remember to celebrate each milestone, no matter how small, and enjoy this amazing journey with your little one!