As a child develops, there are many typical steps for parents and professionals to look for as age appropriate guidelines in their development.
Prenatal Development
Weeks 1-8: develop heart, upper limbs, lower limbs, and start to develop many other organs
Week 9-16: develop palate and ears, continue to develop other organs
Week 17-38: develop central nervous system, eyes, teeth, and external genitalia
Risks During Pregnancy
Week 1-2: Prenatal death
Week 3-7: Major morphological abnormality
Week 8-38: Functional defects and minor morphological abnormality
At Birth
Heart Rate: Should be over 100 beats per minute
Skin Color: Should be completely pink
Reflex Responses: Should be vigorously crying
Respiration: Should be good, crying
Muscle Tone: Should have active movement
Skills Developed within the First 6 Months
Skills Developed within the First 6 Months
- Turn head when name is called
- Play social games, such as peek-a-boo
- Moves head actively in supported sit
- Reaches and grasps objects
- Respond to sound with sound
- Smile back at you
Skills Developed by the End of 2 Years
- Use 2-4 word phrases
- Follows simple directions
- Begin make-believe play
- Become more excited about other children
- Draw circles and vertical strokes
- Walk up and downstairs with one hand held
- Identify six body parts
- Remove shoes and starting to help put on shoes
Skills Developed by the End of 3 Years (36 months)
- Show affection for playmates
- Use 4-5 word phrases
- Imitate adults and playmates, run when other children run
- Play more complex make-believe
- Use expressive vocabulary 300-1,000 words
- Sort animals, shapes, and colors
- Climbs jungle gyms and ladders
- Shows independence
Following the Developmental Milestones
These steps in development, as well as, those that follow in the years after are important. The developmental milestones are a guide in helping us understand if a child is staying on track developmentally. As children demonstrate these skills, they also demonstrate their cognitive and physical strengths. If you suspect that a child is falling behind, contact your local developmental pediatrician for an assessment that can provide more insight into the delay and help to rule out specific disabilities.
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