Growth & development issues in children

Signs of a Healthy Baby

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• A healthy baby looks plump, but not fat.
• There is regular increase in height and weight.
• Their eyes are bright and clear.
• He looks alert, curious and interested.
• Skin is smooth and hair is shiny.
• The baby appears tireless, movements are quick.

Motor, Motor Skills, Social, Language & Cognition Development

One month

• Lifts chin slightly when placed on stomach.
• Follows moving objects with eyes.
• Gains information through senses.
• Prefers faces to objects.
• Preference for human face.
• Head lags when pulled to sitting position.

Two months

• Lifts chest well above surface when placed on stomach.
• Holds head partially.
• Cries to indicate needs.
• Can distinguish between familiar voices.
• Follows moving object 180 degrees.
• Listens to voice & coos.

Three to four months

• Reaches for objects, but unsteadily.
• No head leg when pulled to sitting position.
• Holds head steady.
• Rolls from side to back or back to side.
• Has complete head control when sitting in lap.
• Holds head erect when carried.
• Recognizes mother's face.
• May not like strangers.
• Grasps object that touch hand.
• Tries to swipe at objects.
• Interested in own hands and feet.
• Listen to music.
• Makes sounds, says "aah", "nagh".
• Reacts when mother talks.
• Smiles and laughs.
• When held erect, pushes with feet.
• Sees pallet, but makes no move to reach for it.
• Excited at sight of food.

Five to six months

• Sits alone briefly.
• Reaches and grasps objects, but awkwardly.
• Turns completely over when laid on back or stomach (prone to supine & supine to prone)
• Prefers to sit with support.
• Reaches and grabs objects.
• Studies objects.
• Looks for objects that are dropped.
• Plays peek - a - boo.
• Recognizes own name.
• Distinguishes between friendly and angry voices.
• Indicates pleasure and displeasure with sounds.

Seven to Eight months

• Reaches for spoon.
• Pull self up.
• Sits briefly.
• Can sit properly.
• Propels self by elbows, knees, or squirming motion.
• Eats with fingers.
• Picks up large objects.
• Imitates the actions of other.
• Smiles at self in mirror.
• Sorts objects by size.
• Recognizes some word sounds.
• Babbles i.e. makes verbal sounds without meaning

Nine to Ten months

• Reaches for and manipulates objects with good control.
• Picks up medium size objects as well as large ones.
• Stands holding on to furniture.
• More skillful with spoon.
• Creeps on hands and knees.
• Walks when led.
• Searches for hidden objects.
• Takes objects out of containers and puts them in.
• Plays pat -a cake.
• May say a few words
• Obeys simple commands.
• Creeps or crawl
• Repetitive consonant sounds ("mama", "dada")
• Waves bye-bye

Eleven to Twelve months

• Stands alone.
• May even walk alone.
• Shows preference for one hand over the other.
• Holds and drinks from a cup.
• Fits blocks or boxes inside each other.
• Picks up small objects using thumb and forefinger.
• Handles objects skillfully.
• Knows some parts of body.
• Can pick up small objects.
• Understands many words.
• Says a few words besides "mama", "dada".
• Makes postural adjustment to dressing.

1 to 1½ Years

• Gradually improves from taking a few unsteady steps to walking well.
• Stoops to pick up toys.
• Turn several pages of a book at a time.
• Picks up small objects easily using thumb and forefinger.
• Scribbles.
• May name a familiar object.
• Hugs parents
• Identifies one or more part of body

1½ to 2 Years

• Runs fairly well.
• Can stand on one foot.
• Learns to walk up and down stairs, keeping both feet on each step.
• Buttons large buttons.
• Pulls down zipper.
• Turns door knobs.
• Stacks several cubes to from a tower.

2 to 2½ Years

• Walks with more coordination and confidence.
• Jumps off bottom step of stairs.
• Pushes self on wheeled toys.
• Turn pages of a book, one at a time.

2½ to 3 Years

• Runs, but cannot stop accurately; runs into things.
• Alternates feet going up stairs, but not going down.
• Kicks ball.
• Builds towers of about eight blocks.
• Draws horizontal and vertical lines, circles.
• Strings large beads.
• Refers to self by pronoun "I".
• Washes hands.

3 to 4 Years

• Jumps up and down.
• Skips and hops, Balances on one foot.
• Walks on tiptoe. Rides a tricycle.
• Catches a ball with arms straight.
• Builds towers of about nine or ten blocks Makes a bridge of three blocks.
• Cuts with scissors.
• Draws recognizable pictures.
• Uses a fork and spoon with little spilling.

Four Year

• Dresses and undresses self.
• Cuts on line with scissors.
• Can jump forward as well as up and down.

Five Years

• Ties shoelaces.
• Draws recognizable person.
• Skillfully picks up very small items.
• Draws alphabet letters.
• Stands and balances on tiptoe for short period.
• Buttons and zips clothes.
• Asks questions about meaning of words.

Six Years

• Throws and catches balls with more ease and accuracy
• Cuts, pastes, molds, and colors skillfully.
• Writes entire words.