The Milestones in Development From Infant to Toddler
Infants develop quickly during their first year. Development from infant to toddler is a steady progression with small milestones. While infant milestones are often marked at three, six, nine and 12 months, parents may notice small milestones occurring along the way. Not all babies progress at the same rate and some skip major milestones all together.
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Movement
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At 3 months old, an infant can typically raise his head when lying on his tummy. He has the strength to press up with his arms and kick his legs rapidly, stretching in the process. Little hands can grasp objects, but thumb and finger grasp has yet to develop.
By 6 months, an infant can roll from his tummy to his back and back to his tummy. Subtle favoritism for the left or right hand may appear. The grasp reflex improves and food, toys and other small objects are moved from one hand to the other. Infants tend to place any object they grasp in their mouth, so safety is a concern. Leg strength is improving. Infants may bounce up and down when both hands are held.
At 9 months old, there is great development. Arm and leg movements finally come together and crawling begins. Before crawling, infants may choose to roll form one place to another, because they have mastered the skill. Sitting up is no longer a problem as back and abdomen muscles are strong. The grasp reflex is more focused so baby can grasp smaller objects. Safety is still a concern because most objects go directly to their mouth. Infants can now hold a bottle and a "sippy" cup, but control may be wobbly.
At 1 year old, many infants start to pull up on furniture and walk during this month, marking the official start of being a toddler. Grasp reflex improves so the toddler can now grasp an infant cup and tip it without help. Desire equates to movement as the toddler points for objects they desire and lifts their arms to be picked up.
Vision
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During the first months of infancy, vision is still developing, but infants quickly learn faces. Eyes can follow objects and hand/eye movements are coordinated.
By month six, bright colors interest babies. Flashing lights and colors will capture and hold the attention of an infant for short periods.
At 9 months old, infants develop the ability to find objects. If mom or dad hides an object under a blanket, infants will search for the object in the correct location.
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Hearing
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As early as 3 months old, infants will repeat words they hear as babble. No words form, but sounds will. Loud or unfamiliar sounds may peak a baby's attention.
Imitation continues into the sixth month. Babies like sounds and may splash water or bang blocks together to hear the noise they are creating.
Hearing develops quickly into the ninth month. Infants will turn to the sound of their own name. The babble from months three and six begins to sound more like words than random sounds. Infants may repeat words like "mama" and "dada."
By 12 months old, infants will repeat simple words, marking the time when a baby's first word appears. When music is played, a baby may "dance" to the music by shaking side to side or jumping up and down.
Mental
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Infants exhibit social smiles as early as 3 months old. At 6 months old, infants learn that yells and motions bring mom and dad, so these are used to initiate attention. Strong bonds to mom and dad start to form, causing stranger anxiety. Symptoms of stranger anxiety may include lack of interest in strangers, such as childcare providers, or physical outbursts.
As the ninth month approaches, stranger anxiety may grow stronger, even with family members who are away for extended periods. Stranger anxiety may cause difficulty at bedtime or nap time. Fear of doctors or caregivers may develop, as the baby understands doctors cause pain with vaccinations. Stranger anxiety continues into the toddler years. Food choices are also changing. With a better grasp reflex and increased mobility, infants want to eat "big people" food.
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References
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