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Infant Development Skills

The first year of a newborn baby's life proceeds at a rapid and exciting pace. During this time his motor, sensory, language and social skills will develop and begin to show the baby's emerging personality. Typical milestones throughout the first 12 months can be used to gauge whether the development of basic skills is proceeding at the expected pace.

  1. First Three Months

    • Babies respond to sound and touch from birth, but by the end of three months they begin to recognize their parents' voices and turn their head toward sounds. For a time after birth, they only see shapes that are within 8 to 14 inches from their eyes. During the first three months, vision will quickly improve, and they will be able to differentiate faces and follow moving objects. The baby will begin to babble by the end of the third month and should be able to raise her head and chest while lying on her stomach. One of the sweetest milestones of all---a smile---should appear during this time.

    Months Four through Seven

    • The thrill of watching babies respond to other people's emotions and expressions begins during this time. They become more interested in their surroundings, although they still rely on their mouth for sensory input. They begin to respond to their own name. The beginning of language development is evident as their babbling expands. Gross muscle development is seen in new movement such as rolling over, clapping hands and sitting with support. By the end of seven months, they can see all the colors and objects at any distance.

    Months Eight through 12

    • During this period, babies begin to have stranger anxiety. They have not yet learned "object permanence," so they become upset when their parents leave. They have begun to imitate others and have a preference for specific toys. They observe responses to behaviors, beginning to learn cause and effect. Play becomes more complex as they imitate gestures and respond to simple requests. They're now in motion as they crawl, stand up and begin to walk while holding on to a table. They might walk a few steps without support. Fine motor skills have improved, as they use a pincer grasp and can put objects in and out of a container. Language evolves into one or two simple words and gestures such as head shaking or finger pointing.

    Red Flags

    • At each stage, there are developmental red flags. By the end of three months, look for the baby to respond to loud noises, grasp and hold objects and babble. By the end of the seventh month, if the baby seems too stiff or floppy, does not respond to sounds, roll over or laugh, this should be brought to the doctor's attention. Also talk to the pediatrician if the baby does not crawl, stand with support, point or say any simple words by the end of the first year. Additionally, it is a big red flag if previously learned skills suddenly disappear.

    Caution

    • As infants grow through the first year, parents anxiously watch for developmental markers. Excited parents like to share, "My baby walked at 11 months. What about yours?" Although there are developmental milestones and red flags, they are just guidelines. Babies develop at their own rate.

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