Patterns of Learning
During first month: Uses reflex actions to explore the world around. The baby gradually learns through experiencing both painful and pleasurable events, e.g. bathtime, at first is frightening, but later becomes pleasurable.
During second and third months: Baby will start to reach out to grasp objects. The eyes will follow a moving object and the baby will smile at faces.
During fourth month: Actions are now more purposeful. The baby will reach for objects specifically. Will also show pleasure by smiling and will now cry from anger and frustration as well as pain and fear.
Five to nine months: The baby builds on the learning patterns formed during the first few months. Can now grasp and put objects directly in the mouth and will learn through sucking, tasting and smelling. The baby is now much more mobile and starts to explore and investigate.
After nine months: Will realise that objects may still be there even if they cannot see it. Language starts to develop properly now and is able to communicate and understand others.
General Pattern of Vision Development
From birth to six weeks - The baby can see things fairly clearly only at a distance of 20cm and will concentrate on objects that interest them (especially if they are patterned and moving) for a few seconds. As the baby is unable to move their head easily, they will only focus on objects within his or her line of vision.
From six weeks - The baby can focus on an object held about 45cm away form the eyes. If the object is moved from side to side, the baby will follow it with the eyes - this is referred to as tracking. The baby will look at the object seriously. If the baby sees someone familiar, they may respond with smiles and cooing noises.
From three months - The baby will stare fixedly for several minutes at an object, so learning what familiar objects look like. They can control head movements better and can turn the head and look at things and will enjoy toys and mobiles.
From six months - The baby will be learning to coordinate eyes and movement. They will reach out for moving objects, concentrate deeply on new toys, be interested in new sights and be interested in own feet by examining fingers and waving feet in air trying to grasp them.
From eight months - The baby will be able to see very small objects and the eyes will be able to pick out fine detail. The eyes will have the same range and abilities as the adults.
General Pattern of Hearing Development
From four months - As the baby begins to be able to move the head about, will try to locate the source of sounds and turn towards them. They will begin to recognise different sounds and associate them with pleasant or unpleasant experiences, for example recognise sounds that are associated with food. The baby will start the beginnings of conversation and language by responding to familiar voices with cooing noises.
From seven months - The baby will turn the head sharply to locate a quiet noise and will quickly discover where the sound came from. Different noises will be associated with different things and there will be recognition of the voices of different people.
From nine months - The baby will listen to quiet noises such as a clock ticking and will understand simple commands and words.
By the time the baby is one year old they will be able to:
recognise own name and respond to it;
understand many words and commands - will try out language for self by putting together sounds such as 'dadada' and 'mamamama';
use hands more for exploring instead of the mouth;
memory will be developing and the baby will remember things such as banging a spoon makes a nice noise!
reason simple things such as the association between tying the bib on and food. The baby will start to anticipate and become excited;
enjoy looking at self in mirror and may kiss the reflection. enjoy games such as peek-a-boo, singing, nursery rhymes and things which makes people laugh;
stack objects, place things in containers and will enjoy noisy activities;
will be inquisitive and will try to find out how things work;
will sit and look at a picture book and listen to a story;
will start to associate words with objects and will be building up their vocabulary.
The second year of the baby's life is one of intense learning, they build on their experiences and learn many new things. Vocabulary develops in leaps and bounds and the child is now much more mobile. The baby is still very dependent on adults, especially the mother and needs a lot of reassurance and loving. Constant activity coupled with curiosity makes this a dangerous time for the typical two year old.
By the time the baby is two years old:
has left babyhood behind and has developed a distinct personality;
shows evidence of intelligent behaviour;
has learnt that objects exist when not in view;
can remember objects and people and recognise them when sees them again;
speech will develop and the baby will chatter all the time; the baby will need others around so that language can develop;
there will be the realisation that they exist as a separate being from things and people around;
will be able to manipulate objects better;
may become more changeable and independent and may go through a negative phase - saying 'no', having food fads and temper tantrums, although still craving affection;
enjoys a lot of physical activity, also TV and stories;
is now able to think about problems or situations and may be able to foresee an answer and give an opinion rather than just accepting the situation.
During the third year, the child become much more independent - developing from the 'troublesome two' towards the 'thoughtful three'. The aggression and negative attitudes of the two year old are now more easily channelled into more creative and productive activities and behaviour becomes more acceptable. Language is now well developed and the child becomes much more independent from the parents as they develop more confidence in their physical and intellectual abilities.
The three year old:
is constantly seeking for information and experimenting;
knows how old they are and understands about time, past, present and future;
has a good command of speech and can express own needs and wants;
is developing a good memory and may remember things from a few months past;
is very good at imitating and enjoys pretend and make-believe games;
has an increasing attention span and will concentrate and listen for much longer periods;
enjoys creative activities, constructional toys and helping around the house;
is prepared to share things with others and now wants other children to play with apart from the family;
knows what sex they are and that boys are physically different to girls.
Over the next two years the child will spend much time investigating the environment, forming friendships, developing their vocabulary and begins to understand numbers. The child is very active and needs rest. The child at this age can rebel and revert to the behaviour of the two year old if too much is expected of them.
The average five year old can usually count up to 15 and understand the idea of numbers, can write a few letters and may be learning to read. The child can say rhymes and understand stories and knows their name and address, birthday and telephone numbers. The powers of concentration and memory are much improved and will try to stick at a job until finished.
Physical development describes the growth and care of the child's body
This includes:
Height, Weight, Vision, Hearing, Teeth and Bones
Locomotion - Sitting, Crawling, Standing and Walking
Co-ordination Muscular, Manipulative, Hand/Eye
Healthy physical development depends upon:
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last update April 5, 2003
© L. Cryer/Northern College 2000