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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
weight: 17-27 pounds
length: 27-32 inches
sleeps 11-13 hours at night
some babies will stop taking a morning nap; others will continue both
morning and afternoon naps
begins to refuse bottle or weans self from breast during day
needs 3 meals a day with 2 snacks in between
enjoys drinking from a cup
begins to eat finger foods
continues to explore everything by mouth
enjoys opening and closing cabinet doors
crawls well
pulls self to a standing position
stands alone holding onto furniture for support
walks holding onto furniture or with adult help
INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT
says first word
says da-da and ma-ma or equivalent
"dances" or bounces to music
interested in picture books
pays attention to conversations
claps hands, waves bye, if prompted
likes to place objects inside one another
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
imitates adult actions such as drinking from a cup, talking on phone
responds to name
likes to watch self in mirror
expresses fear or anxiety toward strangers
wants caregiver or parent to be in constant sight
offers toys or objects to others but expects them to be returned
may become attached to a favorite toy or blanket
pushes away something she does not want
IDEAS FOR CAREGIVERS
Provide opportunities for infants to smell different smells. Lemon,
vanilla, and apple juice are wonderful kitchen smells. Babies also enjoy
smelling tree bark, dirt, grass, and other natural things.
Expose older babies to a variety of tastes and temperatures in food.
Offer cold sherbet, warm oatmeal, mashed peaches, and chopped cooked
carrots.
Help babies develop a sense of movement and balance by gently
bouncing, swaying, swooping, and swinging with them.
Encourage older infants to feed themselves by offering pieces of
banana and soft bread sticks. Give babies a spoon with some mashed
potatoes or other sticky food, and let them practice eating with a
spoon. Yes, it will be messy! Be patient. Learning this skill takes lots
of practice.
Play music of different types
soft and melodious to jazzy and
rythmical. Hold babies close as you waltz across the room together. Sing or
clap your hands as you listen together.
Stay with infants when someone new is around. Encourage strangers to
approach slowly. Introduce an infant by name, and let him explore
someone new in the safety of your presence.
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