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Rooting Reflex (Reflex Ability)
The rooting reflex is also inherited and should be acquired by all newborns automatically. The rooting reflex means that if an alert newborn is touched anywhere near the oral areal, he will shift his head in the direction of which the touch came. -
Grasping Reflex (Reflex Ability)
The grasping reflex is an inherited reflex that all babies should have by birth. It is the response to touch on the palm of the hand and it allows babies to grasp and hold on to things such as fingers. -
Crying as communication (Language Development)
Between birth and three months babies cry very often. They will cry when they're hungry, if their diaper needs to be changed, if they upset or for many other reasons. This is a great way for children to inform their parents of their needs because they can't speak yet. -
Raise head to 45∘ (Physical Ability)
By two months the child should be able to raise their head to a 45 degree angle. This enables the child to observe their surroundings and become more aware of themselves and others. -
Roll Over (Physical Ability)
By the end of the second month, the child should have the strength and ability to roll over. By learning this skill, the child can see things from a new view and perspective. This will give them a bettter understanding of their world. -
Visual Preference (Perceptual Development)
Sometime between 3 and 4 months old, you should clearly be able to tell that your baby has a preference to specific colors and patterns. Studies suggest, that by this age, babies tend to have a preference towards faces and patterns they see. -
Sit with support (Physical Ability)
By 4 months, your baby should have learned how to sit with support. Sitting with support such as a pillow or the help of someone else gives the child more confidence and bravery to move on to bigger and better things. -
Sit without support (Physical Development)
It may seem like just yesterday your baby was just learning to sit with support, but now, by 5 1/2 months your baby has gained the strength to sit on their own. -
Fear of falling. (Perceptual Development)
Because your baby has learned to crawl by this point and has experienced the world some, they knows there are dangers, falling being one of them. One study shows infants an illusion of a cliff. Younger, less matured babies were unafraid of crossing over the illusion, whereas older babies who've learned more were reluctant and refused to cross in fear of danger. This shows that children of around 6 months have aquired some amount of depth perception. -
Pull self to standing (Physical Development)
By mid to late month 7, your child should be able to use sturdy objects to pull themselves to standing. By doing so, children gain strenght in their arms and legs and prepare themselves for much greater opportunities. -
Walk holding on to furniture (Physical Development)
Now that your baby has learned to pull themselves to the standing position, they are now ready to walk while holding on to furniture. By the begining of the 9th month you'll realize your baby is getting places pretty quickly. Watch out, it won't be long before they're off running on their own. -
First words (Language Development)
By the time the 10th month rolls around you've probably heard a lot of goo's and gaa's from your baby. However around 10 months your baby will start saying his or her first words logically. Simple words like No, Yes and Bye-bye are common and easy for children to understand and use.