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Birthday
You made it to the real world -
Physical development
motor skills become refined first from the center and upper body and later from the extremities and lower body. For example, swallowing is refined before walking, and arm movements are refined before hand movements. -
Perception
Normal infants are capable of sensation, or the ability to respond to sensory information in the external world. These infants are born with functioning sensory organs, specialized structures of the body containing sensory receptors, which receive stimuli from the environment. -
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Language
Language skills begin to emerge during the first 2 years. -
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Reflex Abilities
For instance, babies automatically suck when presented with a nipple, turn their heads when a parent speaks, grasp at a finger that is pressed into their hand, and startle when exposed to loud noises. Some reflexes, such as blinking, are permanent. Others, such as grasping, disappear after several months and eventually become voluntary responses. -
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Physical
At about 1 month, infants may lift their chins while lying flat on their stomachs. Within another month, infants may raise their chests from the same position. -
Physical
By the fourth month, infants may grasp rattles, as well as sit with support. -
Physical
By the fifth month, infants may roll over -
Physical
An infant's birthweight generally doubles by 6 months and triples by the infant's first birthday. -
Perception
Depth perception also comes within a few months. -
Physical
By the eighth month, infants may be able to sit without assistance. -
Language
Infants and toddlers understand language before actually speaking language; children have receptive language, or an understanding of the spoken and written word, before acquiring productive language, or an ability to use the spoken or written word. Before saying their first words, infants babble. That is, babies make meaningless sounds while learning to control their vocalizations. -
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Physical
At about 10 months, toddlers may stand while holding onto an object for support. At about 12 months, toddlers may stand alone and perhaps even walk. -
Language
Soon infants begin to use holophrastic speech, or single words that convey complete ideas.
