Development begins long before a baby is born. The human brain begins forming at just three weeks conception, followed by closing of the neural tube, organ maturation, development of fat layers and initiation of movement. Many important developmental milestones occur in the first year of life. While babies reach these milestones at similar times in life, infants do grow and develop at their own rate, and may or may not be like other children their age.
Importance of Prenatal Bonding
While it is important to bond and communicate with children throughout their span of development, prenatal bonding is also considered important. Even unborn babies need to be loved, nurtured and accepted. A Loving Way discusses ways to incorporate the baby into the family's life before birth. It is important to talk to the baby, and let them know what is happening. If the baby kicks, respond by touching the belly and talking to them. Play soft music, breathe deeply or have quiet time with the baby; the baby will sense the mother's relaxation. Siblings can also bond with the unborn baby by talking to them or giving the baby gifts such as drawings. The baby will react to the mother's feelings, emotions and reactions.
Birth to Three Months
MayoClinic.com explains that a great deal of development occurs during this time in the form of motor skills, hearing, vision and even early communication. While a newborn's head will be wobbly at first, within the first month, babies can lift their head momentarily and turn it from side to side. They can grasp toys, kick and stretch vigorously. By the second month, they visually search for sounds, cry distinctly, vocalize to familiar voices and smile in response to certain stimuli. At three months, infants are able to raise their head up while lying on their stomach, hold their head up when sitting, recognizes faces and voices, "talk" when spoken to and squeal, blow bubbles or coo.
Three to Six Months
During this stage, infants continue to discover body movement, but they will develop a variety of language skills as well. According to TheLaborofLove.com, infants at this age will be able to follow a toy with their eyes, either from one hand to the other, or when dropped. However, if the toy is out of sight, the infant will forget about it. The mouth is used to test things out and to make open-mouthed noises and vowel sounds. At this stage, babies will listen and talk, making different sounds and beginning to add consonants toward the end of this period. Reading and talking with the baby will encourage continued talking and sound making.
Six to Nine Months
As described by the University of Maryland Medical Center, infants begin to crawl and are able to sit steadily without support for longer periods of time around six months. Infants are now able to hold their own bottle, have begun to chew and bite and say one-syllable sounds. Babies are able to recognize their parents, respond to their own name, have taste preferences and the awareness of depth and space. They use their thumb and index finger to pick up objects and may develop a preference for the use of one hand. By the end of this period, infants can walk while holding onto an adult's hand, bounce when held in the standing position and learn to sit from a standing position. While they understand the meaning of the word "no," they do not always obey it!
Nine to 12 Months
American Pregnancy states that by nine months, infants comprehend the word "bye-bye," wave bye and say "dada" and "mama" with meaning. They repeat actions which gain attention, play inactive games and enjoy being read to and follow pictures in books. By 11 months, infants will fit shaped objects into a container, manipulate objects out of tight-fitting spaces and explore objects more thoroughly. Babies will now roll a ball, shake their head meaning "no," become excited when a task is mastered and act frustrated when restricted. At 12 months, infants are able to walk with one hand held, turn pages in a book, repeat words, imitate sounds and understand simple verbal commands. By this time, infants begin to show independence in familiar surroundings, show affection toward loved ones and show object recognition by name.
