The first three years of your baby's life are ones of rapid growth and development. While your baby will develop in his own way, you can expect specific milestones in cognitive, language, motor, and social and emotional development as he grows.
Cognitive Development
According to the National Network for Child Care, or NNCC, by the end of your child's first year, he will copy sounds and actions you make, including facial expressions. He will also respond to music with body motion and try to accomplish simple goals like seeing a toy and crawling over to it. By the age of two, the child will begin to be able to sort shapes and colors and find objects that are hidden. He will understand that, just because he does not see the object does not mean it isn't there. By three, a child should be able to pay attention for about three minutes, remember what happened yesterday, understand words like "now," "soon," and "later," and look through a book alone. He will understand and execute simple one-step demands and laugh at an idea that is silly, like "wearing the cat as a hat."
Language Development
According to HealthyChildren.org, by the end of your child's first year, he will start to say things like "mama" or "dada," and use exclamations like "uh-oh." He will also start babbling. By age two, he should recognize names of familiar people, objects and body parts and be able to point to an object when it is named for him. Between 15 and 18 months, he will start to say several single words, and by 18 to 24 months of age he will begin to string them together, using small phrases. After three years, your baby should be using three-to five-word sentences and use plurals like "dogs," "balls," and "cats." He will also start asking short questions and begin to enjoy to read.
Motor Development
According to the University of Michigan Health System, by three months of age, your child should be able to lift and turn his head from side to side. His eyes should be able to follow a moving object or person. By six months, he should be reaching for and grasping objects and holding his bottle during feedings. He should also be able to sit with little support.
By the end of the first year, your baby will be able to grasp small objects, with his thumb and index finger, and drink from a cup with help. He will begin to crawl and pull himself up to stand. He may begin to take steps while holding onto furniture. By the end of the second year, he will be walking alone and may even start to run. Walking up and down the stairs while holding on for support is also a milestone for this age. By the time the child is three, he will be able to do a number of things well, including feeding himself, holding a crayon, and folding a piece of paper. Some children at three may start to use the toilet with assistance.
Social and Emotional Development
HealthyChildren.org says that by three months, your baby should develop a social smile. By the end of the first year, he may be anxious or cry around strangers. He may also have favorite toys or people and often prefers the mother to anyone else. By two years old, he will imitate behavior and be enthusiastic about playing with other children. There may be increased separation anxiety toward the mother, which will gradually fade. When the child is three years old, he might express shame when caught doing something wrong. At this age, he should know if he is a boy or a girl.
Misconceptions
Each child develops differently and these guidelines for infant development are fluid. Some children and verbally inclined and can speak in complex sentences from a very young age, but have not yet developed gross motor skills. Other children can throw and even catch a ball, but do not speak for the first few years of life. Never assume your child is behind in development just because he hasn't reached a milestone. Always consult your pediatrician with any concerns. She will be able to distinguish between a child who has not yet developed a skill and a child with disabilities.
