Infant Growth and Development

HOW BABIES GROW AND DEVELOP

ONE MONTH

Physical - Can see, hear, feel, taste, and smell at birth. Uses reflexes.

Intellectual - Cries to communicate. Limited interest in learning.

Emotional - Startles at loud sounds. Quiet when content, crying when not.

Social - Likes soft, high-pitched voices. Likes to look at faces.

TWO MONTHS

Physical - Focuses eyes. Eats every 3 to 4 hours.

Intellectual - Follows light or objects with eyes.

Emotional - Reacts to distress by crying. Social Smiles.

THREE MONTHS

Physical - Holds head up.

Intellectual - Recognizes mother or primary caregiver.

Social - Coos and gurgles.

FOUR MONTHS

Physical - Tries to grab with hands. Tries to roll over.

Intellectual - Can use eyes and hands together.

Emotional - Cries different ways for different reasons.

Social - Laughs out loud.

SIX MONTHS

Physical - Sits with support. Teeth appear.

Intellectual - Reaches for and grasps objects.

Emotional - Shows signs of fear, anger or disgust. Laughs and chuckles.

Social - Tries to talk to image in mirror

EIGHT MONTHS

Physical - Sits alone.

Intellectual - Transfers objects for hand to hand. Puts objects in mouth.

Social - Responds to name. Pats image in mirror.

10 MONTHS

Physical - Creeps or crawls. Pulls self up.

Intellectual - Can pick up small objects.

Emotional - Seeks attention by yelling. May show shyness, fear of strangers.

Social Plays peek-a-boo.

12 MONTHS

Physical - Eats three meals. Has tripled birth weight and grown about 10 in. Drinks from a cup. Stands and takes steps.

Intellectual - Says 1 or 2 words. Points to desired objects. Imitates animals.

Emotional - Shows controlled anger directed toward a person or a thing.

Social - Waves good-bye. Plays pat-a-cake. Cooperates. Responds to adult more than to other infants.

15 MONTHS

Physical - Walks alone with feet wide apart. Runs on toes. Walks sideways and backwards. tries to go up and down stairs.

Intellectual - Uses 6 to 20 words. Short attention span. Can stack blocks on top of one another. Can hold pencil and scribble.

Emotional - Unpredictable. Normal to be fearful, anxious, resentful. Self-centered.

Social - Plays alone. Recognizes other children and tries to get attention. Copies others.

18 MONTHS

Physical - Can throw objects. Walks up stairs with hand held.

Intellectual - Drinks alone. Is curious. Says "NO." Understands words.

Emotional - Shows affection. Selfish. Cries when toys are taken away.

Social - Tends to be rebellious. Points to objects and pictures named.

Reprinted with permission from the National Network for Child Care - NNCC. Lagoni, L. S., Martin, D. H., Maslin-Cole, C., Cook, A., MacIsaac, K., Parrill, G., Bigner, J., Coker, E., & Sheie, S. (1989). Good times with infants. In *Good times with child care* (pp. 1-12). Fort Collins, CO: Colorado State University Cooperative Extension.