Developmental Milestone for Six Months
The term “developmental milestones” refers to important physical or behavioural skill that young children will develop as they grow.. Behavioural changes or physical activities like smiling, talking, rolling over, crawling, walking and talking are all considered milestones. The milestones are different for each age range.
Here are few of the baby milestones that a child may achieve in the sixth month.
Physical development
- They may hold themselves up with their hands and try to sit up alone by six months. And over time, they may begin to sit without support
- They can start to roll: from the back to the stomach, and from the stomach to the back
- They can crawl or rock back and forth
- While standing, their legs may hold almost all weight with support
- Babies may start sleeping for almost 6 8 hours at night
- May move object from one hand to other or pick up a dropped object
- May show signs of teething
- Drooling may increase
- They may weigh double their birth weight
Cognitive development
- They may start looking at things around
- May be curious to reach out to things
- May try to bring things to mouth
- Start recognizing parents while fearing strangers
- May begin to imitate actions
Communication development
- They may make sounds to respond to sounds or try to imitate sounds
- They may smile, laugh and babble away (“ma-ma” or “ba-ba”)
- They make sounds to express happiness or displeasure
- May respond when you call their name
Some tips for you babies in their 6th month
- Place the toys out of reach which may encourage them to crawl3
- Play games like peek-a-boo which will help them to understand that objects still exist even when they are out of sight3
- Use body movements, actions and imitate common words like “mama”
- Get them large, safe, brightlycoloured toys that make noise or have moving parts5
References:
- Developmental milestones record Available from https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002002.htm. Accessed on 21/4/2016.
- Developmental milestones. Available from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/. Accessed on 21/4/2016
- Baby Development: Your 6-Month-Old . Available from: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/baby-development-6-month-old. Accessed on 21/4/2016.
- Important milestones: Your Baby at Six Months. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-6mo.html. Accessed on 21/4/2016.
- Developmental milestones record 6 months. Available from https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002008.htm. Accessed on 21/4/2016.
Developmental milestone for 12 months
During the first 12 months, infants may go through many changes. This is the phase where a completely new born baby is slowly being transformed to an independent little child.
Here are few of the milestones observed as the child is 12 month.
Physical development
- Babies may weigh three times their birth weight by now
- Their height may grow to 50% over their birth length
- They may sit down or even stand without any help
- May stand up and try to walk holding on to any support
- They may sleep for 8 to 10 hours at night
- May get 1 to 8 teeth
- May try to pick objects using the tip of their thumb and index
- They may even start using few of the daily items like spoons ,hairbrush correctly or do routine things like eating food on their own
Cognitive development
- Try to do analyze objects by shaking, banging, throwing
- Can easily find hidden things
- If you name a picture or an object, they look at the right picture
- They try to copy gestures
- Play simple games with ball
- They can understand and follow simple directions like “pick up the toy”
- They may cling to their parents or become anxious on separation
- May develop attachment to their toys
Communication development
- Can speak out few of the common words like mama, dada
- May try to repeat the words you say
- May start using simple gestures like shaking head for “no” or waving to say “bye-bye”
- May make sounds with changes in tone
Some tips to help you 1-year old further develop skills:
- Provide them with picture books
- Sing songs for them
- Give them large push toys to play with, which can encourage them to walk
- Avoid the television and other objects with a screen, till the age of 2.
- The house should be made baby proof by ensuring a few things, like making sure stairways are gated; keeping pots, dishes, cleaners are out of reach, etc.
References:
- Baby Development: Your 1-Year-Old. Available from : http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/baby-development-1-year-old. Accessed on 21/4/2016.
- Developmental milestones record ¬ 12 months. Available from https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002005.htm. Accessed on 21/4/2016.
- Baby Development: Your 1 year-Old. Available from http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/baby-development-1-year-old. Accessed on 21/4/2016.
- Important milestones: Your Child at 1 year. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-1yr.html. Accessed on 21/4/2016.
Developmental milestone for 2 years
A child's brain development is fairly rapid between their first and second birthday. Due to this, amazing changes may be observed as they gradually learn to talk, walk and remember different things.
You can expect the child to achieve some of these milestones as they turn 2 years old.
Physical development
- Babies may reach about half their final adult height
- They may gain about 1.5 to 2.5 kg from the time they turned 1 year old
- They may have about 16 teeth by now
- Can kick a ball easily
- Can climb up and down the stairs with support
- May start running a little better
- Can even pick up objects while standing
- Can draw straight lines and circles
- May start understanding toilet habits
Cognitive development
- They may develop a preference for using one of their hands more than the other
- They may put on or remove simple clothes without help
- May be able to communicate some of their common needs, such as if they feel thirsty, hungry or want to go to the toilet
- Their vision is fully developed by now
- Can differentiate between different shapes and colors
- Can build towers with blocks
- They can understand and follow simple 2 step instructions. For e.g., "Wash your hands and come here"
Communication development
- Can speak about 50–300 words which may vary
- Can say sentences of 2 or 3 words
- They may repeat words which they have overheard from someone
- They remember names of known people or body parts
- They point to things or pictures in a book or elsewhere, when they are named
Some tips for babies at 2 years
- Allow the child to help you with a few simple household chores
- Encourage them to play games that involve building and creativity
- Provide them space for healthy physical activities
- Try to read story books to them
References:
- Growth and Development, Ages 12 to 24 Months – Topic Overview. Available from http://www.webmd.com/children/tc/growth-and-development-ages-12-to-24-months-overview. Accessed on 21/4/2016.
- Developmental milestones record 2 years. Available from https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002012.htm. Accessed on 21/4/2016.
- Milestones for 2-Year-Olds - Topic Overview. Available from http://www.webmd.com/children/tc/milestones-for-2-year-olds-topic-overview. Accessed on 21/4/2016.
- Important Milestones: Your Child at Two Years. Available from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-2yr.html. Accessed on 21/4/2016.
