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Lesson Objective –
to learn how a child
develops from the
age of 0 to 12
months
This baby is now full term and is
ready to begin its journey
down the birth channel. From
the 32 week the baby can
open and close its eyes.
Birth- the baby is fully
developed and ready to be
born at 40 weeks. However, a
baby can be born quite
normally from 37 weeks to 42
weeks of gestation.
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Once the baby is born it
will be made up of all
millions of pieces of
genetic information past
on from its parents. This
means everything from the
colour of the eyes, hair,
shape of hands, nails,
height the baby will grow
to and any other inherited
weaknesses – such as illness
– also emotions,
intelligence and so on.
Have people ever said to
you, "It's in your genes?"
They were probably
talking about a physical
characteristic,
personality trait, or talent
that you share with other
members of your family.
We know that genes play
an important role in
shaping how we look
and act and even
whether we get sick.
Now scientists are trying
to use that knowledge in
exciting new ways, such
as preventing and
treating health problems.
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New born babies
have a number of
reflexes at birth,
they can use to each
to help survive the
first few months of
life.
the suck-swallow reflex – this helps the
baby to suck from the nipple or teat
and swallow the milk smoothly
the rooting reflex – a baby turns its
mouth towards a nipple or teat
Moro reflex
A sudden jolting movement, such as
that produced by striking the mattress
or table on both sides of the infant, will
usually cause the startle response.
Occasionally a loud noise may
precipitate the reflex. Extension of the
head relative to the trunk or a sudden
strong stimulus appear to be the most
reliable means of eliciting the reflex
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_
bAQDOOgq0&feature=related
The asymmetrical tonic neck
reflex appears "when the infant,
lying on the back, turns the
head to one side or if the head
is passively rotated to one side."
The infant tends to assume a
"fencing" position-with his face
toward the extended arm, while
the other arm flexes at the
elbow. The lower limbs respond
in a similar manner.
"Palmar and Plantar Grasp
Palmar and plantar grasp are
strong automatic reflexes in fullterm newborns. They are elicited
by the observer placing a finger
firmly in the child's palm or at the
base of the child's toes. The
palmar grasp response weakens
as the hand becomes less
continuously fisted, merging,
sometime after 2 months, into the
voluntary ability to release an
object held in the hand. The
plantar response disappears at
about 8 or 9 months, though it
may persist during sleep for a
while thereafter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v
_ARjAghdY&feature=related
Supporting Reaction
The supporting reaction is elicited by
holding the infant vertically and
allowing his feet to make firm contact
with a table top or other firm surface.
The "standing" posture includes some
flexion of the hip and knee. Automatic
stepping may also be observed when
the newborn is inclined forward while
being supported in this position. During
the first 4 months of life, the crouching
position gradually diminishes; this is
followed by increase in support, so that
normal infants will usually support a
substantial proportion of their weight by
10 months (Paine, 1964).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck
GjOwPXsvo
Traction Response
Physicians test the traction response by
placing the infant in supine, then
drawing him up by the hands to a
sitting position. Normally, assistance by
the shoulder muscles can be felt and
seen. The newborn's head lags behind
and drops forward suddenly when the
upright posture is reached. Even in the
newborn period, however, there should
be sufficient head control to bring it
back upright, and greater control is
expected with age. The nurse in testing
the neonate may gently raise the infant
from supine in this way, in order to note
the presence, absence, or asymmetry
of response; but she should avoid
reaching the midline point, which
causes the head to drop forward
suddenly.
http://www.winfssi.com/appraisals.html#reflex
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Physical
There is significant growth during the
first month of life. At this time, reflexive
movements dominate, and infants
have little, if any purposeful physical
activity. Growth
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Weight decreases by 10% immediately
after birth and returns to birth weight by
2 weeks of age
Gains 1 oz/day; 2 lbs/month
Length increases 3.5 cm/ month
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Head droops without support
Limbs flexed
Purposeless movement
Grasps objects placed in hands
Sucks objects placed in mouth
Sleeps about 16 hours/day
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Nearsighted; can see objects clearly 812 inches from face
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Movement and Activity
Sensory
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Fixated gaze; cannot follow objects
(like a doll's eyes)
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Social
Hearing is preferential to the female
voice
Easily startled
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1 to 2 Month Developmental Milestones
Physical Growth
20g/day (1.5 lbs/month) weight gain
2 cm/month length increase
Movement and Activity
More deliberate movements
Limbs more extended
Can lift head temporarily when lying on stomach
Some delay in raising head when pulled to a
sitting position from lying on back
Hands tightly fisted most of the time
Sensory
Follows moving object with eyes
Social
Smiles involuntarily
Responds to sounds
Communication
Throaty noises, gurgles
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Growth
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Growth rate is still significant, but not as rapid as in the first 2 months
Posterior fontanelle ("soft spot") closes
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Lifts head (45°) for a sustained time when lying on stomach
Continued lag on raising head when pulled to sitting position from lying on back
Hands fisted half of the time
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Will follow objects, consciously turn head 180°
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Cries approximately 3 hours/day
Coos, makes single-syllable sounds
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Gains 1¼ lbs/month
Length inc. 2 cm/month
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Minimal delay on raising head when pulled to sitting position from lying on back (bobbing)
Will reach for objects but misses while lying on back; waves at objects
Lifts head and chest when lying on stomach; rests on arms
Rolls side-to-side
Hands mostly unfisted
Small circular limb movements
Sleeping approximately 14 hours/day, with 9-10 occurring at night
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Explores own body
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Varied types of crying
Says "ahh"
Movement and Activity
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Sensory
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Social
Smiles voluntarily ("social smile") in response to appropriate stimuli (familiar faces or voices)
Recognizes facial expressions
Communication
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3 MONTHS OLD
Physical
Growth
Movement and Activity
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Sensory
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Cognitive
Will look at area where an object used to be (no sense of object permanency)
Social/Emotional
Increased eye contact
Listens to music
Appropriate facial expressions in response to emotions (anger, fear, joy)
Mimics others' facial expressions
Increased awareness/interest in surroundings
Distracted during nursing
Shows different emotions (anger, fear, joy)
Communication
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w
98fJxUpDo&feature=related
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Growth
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Gains 1 lb/month
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No head lag when pulled to sitting position from lying on back
Reaches and grasps objects, brings to them to mouth while lying on back
Holds objects indefinitely
Stands when held
Plays with hands and feet
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Remains silent while others speak, then vocalizes
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Transfers object from hand to mouth to opposite hand
Begins to teethe
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Imitates speaker
Sing-song quality to voice
Makes raspberry sound
Movement and Activity
Social/Emotional
Shows displeasure at withdrawal of social contact
Excited at the sight of food
Communication
5 MONTHS OLD
Physical
Movement and Activity
Social/Emotional
Plays with mirror image
Communication
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd
C50X71W-4&feature=related
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Growth
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1 lb/month
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1.5 cm/month
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Lower central incisors erupt
Movement and Activity
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Drinks from a cup with help
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Holds own bottle
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Moves objects hand-to-hand directly
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Rolls over
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Sits briefly, leans forward, supports self with arms
Social/Emotional
Discriminates between parents and strangers ("stranger anxiety")
Copies facial expressions
Communication
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Babbles
7 MONTHS OLD
Physical
Growth
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Upper central incisors erupt
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Lower lateral incisors erupt
Movement and Activity
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Sits unsupported, pivots while sitting
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Pivots and crawls while lying on stomach
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Lifts head indefinitely while lying on back
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May stand, bounce
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Reaches out, grasps object with palm
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Bangs, shakes objects
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Puts feet in mouth
Social/Emotional
Prefers mother
Anxious when away from mother (Separation Anxiety)
Pats mirror image
Communication
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Responds to changes in social contact/context
8 MONTHS OLD
Physical
Growth
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Upper lateral incisors erupt
Movement and Activity
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Crawls easily on stomach
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Pulls self to stand using furniture
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Feeds self with hands
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Will take 2 objects and hold 1 in each hand
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Sensory
› Vision close to fully
developed
Cognitive
Begins to understand objects'
uses (drink from a cup, brush
hair with a brush)
Realizes size differences
between objects
Social/Emotional
Performs "tricks"
No longer automatically
accepts feedings, will turn
spoon away
Communication
› Multisyllabic babbling
My baby is only happy when I'm within
arm's reach. If I dare to leave the room,
she cries as if I've left the country! I
can't even so much as take a shower
these days, let alone leave the house
without her. My mother-in-law says it's
because I've spoiled her. Is she right?
Have I made her so clingy?
Separation anxiety is pretty easy to spot,
and you're probably reading this section
because you've identified it in your
baby. The following are behaviors
typically demonstrated by a baby with
normal separation anxiety:
 Clinginess
 Crying when a parent is out of sight
 Strong preference for only one parent
 Fear of strangers
 Waking at night crying for a parent
 Easily comforted in a parent's
embrace
Nothing you've done has "made" your
baby develop separation anxiety. It's a
perfectly normal and important
developmental adaptation. Nearly all
children experience separation anxiety
between the ages of seven and 18
months. Some have more intense
reactions than others, and for some,
the stage lasts longer than others, but
almost all babies have it to some
degree.
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Growth
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Gains 12g/day, 13oz/month
Length inc. 1.2 cm/month
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Movement and Activity
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Cognitive
Will search for an object when it is taken away, understands that it exists even though it can no longer be seen ("object
constancy")
Social/Emotional
Communication
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Grasps object between thumb and forefinger ("pincer grasp")
Single syllable "words" ("ma", "da")
Understands "no"
Inflection with babbling
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10 MONTHS OLD
Physical
Growth
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Movement and Activity
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First molars erupt
Sits up alone and indefinitely
Crawls on hands and knees
Crawls up stairs
Walks while holding on to furniture (cruising)
Walks with 2 hands held
Cognitive
Understands simple phrases
Follows simple directions
Associates "mama" with mother and "dada" with father
Can find objects by name when asked
Social/Emotional
Waves
Plays "peek-a-boo"
Tests autonomy (crawls away from mother and checks for her reaction)
Communication
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First "real" words ("mama", "baba")
Conversational babbling
Lately, you may be reading the same
book to your baby over and over
again. It's not that your child doesn't
remember what happened to the
Hungry Caterpillar, it's just that
repetition is the name of the game
these days. Babies feel secure seeing
and hearing familiar things repeatedly
(not unlike your secret soap opera
addiction)
Baby Milestones
Inspire your baby's imagination by letting her pick up the phone and
pretend to talk to someone. Alternately, give baby the phone when you're
talking to your mother and she starts asking you about when you're going
to have a second baby.
Play pretend games with your baby using a stuffed animal. Make it talk to
your baby, tickle her and give hier kisses. Funny voices are essential to the
game, so buff up on your best cartoon impressions and ham it up.
Hand puppets are also a fun way to engage your baby at this stage. Let
the puppet sing a song to your baby, tell her all about the proper
technique for eating an Oreo or just read her a book. Smooches and
tummy tickles will also be greatly appreciated.
Your baby may already know how to shake her head no to answer you
(lucky you!). Some parents like to take advantage of this time by teaching
their babies "baby sign language". Simple signs like "more" or "milk" might
help the two of you communicate, though we're willing to bet she doesn't
give up that "no" head shake anytime soon!
Will my baby enjoy being more
sociable now?

Your baby's babbles
are sounding more
like real words. Show
interest in what he
has to say and he
will keep talking.
When he tries to say
a word, such as "ock"
for sock, it will help if
you repeat the word
back to him
correctly, "Yes, that's
your sock."
Your baby's personality is really
emerging now. His social skills are
blossoming and he may well give
broad smiles to everyone he meets. Or
he may be a little shy, hiding his face
when well-meaning strangers try to
engage him.
Your baby will also repeat sounds,
gesture for your attention and may
even wave goodbye when he sees
you head for the door. He's developing
a mind of his own, which you've
probably already noticed when he
protests at being put in his car seat or
pushchair.
our baby will understand simple instructions, and know what you mean
when you say "no". This doesn't mean she will do as you ask! Try and only
use the word "no" if what she is doing is dangerous or you may find
yourself saying it all the time.
Bright, colourful books will capture her attention. Your local library will be
full of them so you can enjoy some new books along with the old
favourites.
Is my baby more independent now?
Now that your baby is only one month short of her first birthday, she's no
longer that helpless infant who couldn't do anything without you. She still
needs plenty of care and support, but her growing independence is
becoming apparent, as she learns to stand, stoop and squat. She may be
able to walk while gripping your hand, and she'll hold out her arm or leg
to help you dress her.
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Movement and Activity
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Stands alone and unsupported
Walks with 1 hand held
Drink from cup without help
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Uses words meaningfully
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Weight has tripled since birth
Length has doubled since birth
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First steps
Feeds self with a spoon
Transfer object from self to other with pincer
Attempts to stack 2 blocks
Helps with dressing by adjusting posture
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Attempts simple conversations
Social/Emotional
Plays alongside others, but not with others (parallel play)
Communication
12 MONTHS OLD
Physical
Growth
Movement and Activity
Social/Emotional
Identifies self in mirror
Communication
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10
LjYCOG1F4&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du
1lRGqOepU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jlo
PcH3lFLQ
Children use play not simply as a fun
past-time or a way to amuse
themselves for a little while but as
research into the world around them.
When they are born, children can do
very little for themselves and know very
little about the world or their places in
it. As they play, children come to
understand more about the world and
themselves and develop the physical,
cognitive, emotional and social skills
that they will need to live
independently later in life. Through
quiet, creative, active, cooperative
and dramatic play children get the
chance to work on these skills and
more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lqn
nqrCvPTc&feature=related
Sensorimotor: (birth to about age 2)
Preoperational: (begins about the time
the child starts to talk to about age 7)
Concrete: (about first grade to early
adolescence)
Formal Operations: (adolescence) This stage brings cognition to its final form. This
person no longer requires concrete objects to make rational judgments. At his
point, he is capable of hypothetical and deductive reasoning. Teaching for the
adolescent may be wide ranging because he'll be able to consider many
possibilities from several perspective

Problems With Formal Operations
Research has disputed Piaget's argument that all children
will automatically move to the next stage of development
as they mature. Some data suggests that environmental
factors may play a role in the development of formal
operations.
 Underestimates Children's Abilities
Most researchers agree that children posses many of the
abilities at an earlier age that Piaget suspected. Recent
research on theory of mind has found that children of 4- or
5-years old have a rather sophisticated understanding of
their own mental processes as well as those of other
people. For example, children of this age have some
ability to take the perspective of another person, meaning
they are far less egocentric than Piaget believed.