What is child development?

Child development is a process every child goes through. This process involves
learning and mastering skills like sitting, walking, talking, skipping, and tying
shoes. Children learn these skills, called developmental milestones, during
predictable time periods.

Children develop skills in five main areas of development:

1. Cognitive Development
This is the child's ability to learn and solve problems. For example, this
includes a two-month-old baby learning to explore the environment with
hands or eyes or a five-year-old learning how to do simple math problems.

2. Social and Emotional Development

This is the child's ability to interact with others, including helping
themselves and self-control. Examples of this type of development would
include: a six-week-old baby smiling, a ten-month-old baby waving bye-
bye, or a five-year-old boy knowing how to take turns in games at school.

3. Speech and Language Development

This is the child's ability to both understand and use language. For
example, this includes a 12-month-old baby saying his first words, a two-
year-old naming parts of her body, or a five-year-old learning to say "feet"
instead of "foots".

4. Fine Motor Skill Development

This is the child's ability to use small muscles, specifically their hands and
fingers, to pick up small objects, hold a spoon, turn pages in a book, or
use a crayon to draw.

5. Gross Motor Skill Development

This is the child's ability to use large muscles. For example, a six-month-
old baby learns how to sit up with some support, a 12-month-old baby
 learns to pull up to a stand holding onto furniture, and a five-year-old
learns to skip.

The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities has recently
launched a campaign to promote child development. For more information on
child development, visit the Act Early website:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/actearly/.

What is a developmental milestone?

A developmental milestone is a skill that a child acquires within a specific time
frame. For instance, one developmental milestone is learning to walk. Most
children learn this skill or developmental milestone between the ages of 9 and 15
months.

Milestones develop in a sequential fashion. This means that a child will need to
develop some skills before he or she can develop new skills. For example,
children must first learn to crawl and to pull up to a standing position before they
are able to walk. Each milestone that a child acquires builds on the last milestone
developed.

To find out more information about age-appropriate developmental milestones

click on a specific age below. If you are concerned your child has not met a
developmental milestone, click here to learn more.

What are typical milestones, or skills, children learn at different ages?

We now know that our brains are not fully developed at birth. In fact, a baby's
brain weighs about one quarter (1/4) of what an adult's brain weighs!

The brain grows very rapidly during the first several years of life. During this time,
your child is learning all sorts of new skills.

Because children usually acquire developmental milestones or skills during a

specific time frame or "window", we can predict when most children will learn
different skills. The pages below describe the types of skills children usually learn
at different ages. If you are concerned your child has not met a developmental
milestone, click here to learn more.

Childhood Development:

• First 6 Weeks
• 1½ to 3 Months
• 3 to 6 Months
• 6 to 9 Months
• 9 to 12 Months
• 1 to 2 Years
• 2 to 3 Years
• 3 to 5 Years
• 5 to 7 Years

What if my child does not meet a developmental milestone?

Each child is an individual and may meet developmental milestones a little earlier
or later than his peers. You may have heard people say things like, "he was
walking before he turned 10 months, much earlier than his older brother" or "she
didn't say much until she was about 2 years old and then she talked a blue
streak!" This is because each child is unique and will develop at his or her own
pace.

However, there are definitely blocks of time when most children will meet a
milestone. For example, children learn to walk anytime between 9 and 15 months
of age. So, if your child is 13 months of age and not yet walking, there is no need
to worry if he is crawling and pulling to a stand. He has acquired the skills he
needs to learn to walk and may begin walking soon. However, if you have a child
15 months of age who is not yet walking, it would be a good idea to talk with your
child's pediatrician to make sure there aren't any medical or developmental
problems since age 15 months is outside of the normal "window" or time frame in
which children learn to walk.

In this website, we will provide you with some information about these "windows"
or blocks of time when children usually develop a skill. We also will share with
you some warning signs or "red flags" to watch for that may mean your child is
not meeting developmental milestones. We will also give you the names of some
books and websites about child development that you may find helpful.

However, whenever you have questions, do not hesitate to ask a professional

like your child's doctor, nurse practitioner, or a trained child development or
behavioral specialist. There are also several clinical specialists who are
specifically trained in various areas of development who can be consulted. These
include speech pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, developmental
psychologists and audiologists.

How can I help my child meet these developmental milestones?

As parents, we all want our children to succeed and be the best they can be. We
know from research that two factors influence how your child succeeds and
grows: genes and environment.

One of the factors that influence our child's development is their genetic makeup
or "genes." Some people refer to this as "nature." Genes are the genetic material
we pass onto our children. Children are born with their "genes" in place. These
genes act like a blueprint for what characteristics a child may have. For example,
genes determine if a child will have blue eyes or brown eyes; they also determine
if he will be left- or right-handed.

The other factor that influences child development is the environment. This
includes experiences children have in their home, school and community
environments. Some people refer to this as "nurture." The environment can either
improve or harm a child's genetic blueprint. For example, malnourished children
who live in third world countries may not reach their IQ potential because of the
impact of their environment on their brain development.

We often think we need to run out and buy special toys, music and games to
stimulate our child's development, but we have to remind ourselves that it is more
important to provide the following, every-day activities you can do with your child
to encourage brain development.

• Give your child lots of love and attention. No matter what a child's age,
holding, hugging, and listening are important ways to show your child they
matter.
• Interact with your child by talking, singing, playing, eating, and reading
with your child. Your child will grow up feeling special and important to
you. You will also learn a lot about your child's interests and skills.
• Read, read, read. Research has shown that children who are read to by
their parents have a larger vocabulary than other children. Reading also
provides children with new perspectives about the world we live in.
• Learn some simple parenting skills for helping your child to learn how to
behave. The most important parenting skills are having consistent rules,
rewarding behaviors you want to see your child do more of, and having
consequences for behaviors you do not want your child to continue to do.
• Limit TV time and video time to no more than 1-2 hours of educational
viewing per day.
 • Download C3's informational handout on supporting your child's
development.
• Ask for help when you need it from your spouse, partner, family, friends,
and your child's doctor or nurse practitioner. Parenting is wonderful but it
is not always easy.
• For more helpful suggestions on parenting, click here.

Childhood Development: First 6 Weeks

Newborns experience the world very differently from the way that we experience
the world. Newborns are totally dependent on us for their basic needs.
Fortunately, newborns have ways of communicating their needs to us. In the first
six weeks, you and your baby will learn a lot about each other. The give-and-take
that occurs between you helps to create a bond, which will form the basis of your
relationship together and will provide the foundation for your child to develop
relationships with others. Pay close attention to your baby, because he is paying
close attention to how well you treat him! When your baby sleeps, make sure he
is lying on his back unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

What your baby can see:

• Your baby's vision is not fully developed yet. At birth, your

baby can only see objects that are about 8-12 inches away, like
your face when you are holding her.
• When you are close to your baby, what she sees best is your
face.
• Soon, you will notice that your baby follows your
movements.
• Your baby may enjoy seeing bright colors or large black and
white pictures and toys.
What your baby can hear:

• Your baby has been listening to sounds since he was inside

you. Your baby already recognizes his mother's voice when he is
born!
• Look for changes in your baby's body movements or facial
expressions when there are new or loud sounds around him.

What your baby can feel:

• Your touch is very important to your baby! Babies enjoy

gentle massages.
• By holding your baby, you are teaching her that she is loved
and safe.
• You are not spoiling your baby by holding her. You are
helping her feel secure. You cannot "spoil" a baby by holding her
too much.
• Your baby feels temperature changes, so be careful to dress
her appropriately for the weather.

How your baby eats:

• How much and how often your baby eats will vary.
• Your baby can only tolerate liquids right now, so feed him
only breast milk or iron-fortified formula.
How to care for your baby's mouth:

• Your baby's gums need to be cleaned with an infant

toothbrush or wet washcloth/gauze after feedings and at bedtime.

How your baby moves (your baby's gross motor skill development):

• Your baby is slowly gaining control over his muscles.

• During these six weeks, your baby will need a lot of support
to hold his head up. Be careful not to let his head wobble or shake!
• Your baby may move his arms and legs to show his interest
in the action around him.
• Your baby may have sudden jerking movements, so when
you are carrying him, be careful to support him well.
• When awake, give your baby "tummy time" so he learns to
lift his head and look around.

How your baby communicates (your baby's speech and language

development):

• Your baby's cry is her way of communicating her needs.

• Your baby cries to let you know when she is hungry, tired,
hot, cold, bored, sick, or wants to be held. Very soon, you will
notice that your baby's cry sounds different based on her different
needs.
• Your baby may make cooing sounds, particularly when you
talk to her.
• When your baby makes eye contact with you, he is
communicating his interest!
 • Your baby may pull back, or turn away from you to show that
he needs a break.

Loving and playing with your baby:

• In the first few weeks of life, your baby will sleep much of the
time. This is a good time for you to rest.
• When your baby is awake and alert, it's your time to interact!
• Talking and singing to your baby are the best things you can
do to encourage language development. Lullabies introduce your
baby to the sound system of language.
• Don't worry about holding your baby too much. You are
teaching your baby to trust you.
• The sooner you respond to your baby's crying, the better it is
for your baby's sense of security.
• Spend a lot of time face-to-face with your baby. You'll both
enjoy the view!

How to keep your baby healthy:

• Does your baby have all his/her shots? Check the 2008
immunization schedule.

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