The first two years of your child's life will bring rapid changes. She'll reach and pass numerous physical, social and mental milestones along the way. Although every child is different with their own developmental schedule, there are standards of development that allow you to chart your little one's progress. The March of Dimes advises parents to make an appointment with their health care providers if they think their child is behind schedule.
Features
In her first two years, your child will develop his gross motor skills, such as crawling and walking and his fine motor skills, like holding a fork and picking up small objects with his thumb and finger. He will adapt to and develop his senses of sight and hearing and he will learn to differentiate through taste, smell and touch. He will also make great strides in language and social skills, according to Medline Plus, a division of the National Institutes of Health.
First Year Development
Babies quickly develop muscle tone and by 3 months, most can raise their head when lying on their stomach and can open their hands and suck on their fingers. Their eyes can track a moving object and they are beginning to recognize faces, according to the March of Dimes. By 7 months an infant will reach for an object, sit up, roll over, babble and begin to show an interest in a mirror image. By their first birthday, most infants will sit alone, use one-syllable words, crawl, walk around furniture and respond to simple commands. A 1-year-old tries to imitate words and she may wave bye-bye or shake her head "no."
Second Year Development
During your child's second year, he will begin to run, climb up on the furniture and learn to play with others. His vocabulary will grow from single words to simple phrases by his second birthday. He will start to feed himself, learn to scribble with a crayon and he may begin to stack blocks. His emotional and social skills are growing, too. He will imitate the behavior of others and he may show excitement at the prospect of playing with friends. Because he's developing independence now, he may exhibit defiant behavior, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Comparing Your Baby
Despite standard developmental milestones, a child develops at her own pace. Some children will develop quickly in language skills but lag behind on physical skills. Other children will walk and run early but may speak later. If you have any concerns about your child's development, talk with your doctor.
Concerns
Occasionally, a child may have a developmental problem. Consult your doctor if your child does not crawl by her first birthday, if she drags one side when crawling or if she cannot stand when supported. Other concerns include not using physical gestures or losing skills she once had, according to the CDC. At 18 months, see your doctor if your child is still not walking. By her second birthday, she should use two-word sentences, follow simple instructions and speak at least 15 words.
