The first year of a child is considered the fastest development period in both physical and mental health. According to recommendations from the World Health Organization, monitoring developmental milestones helps parents understand their child's maturity and detect early abnormal signs if any.
Below are some common developmental milestones in the first 12 months of life:
0 – 3 months
At this stage, children begin to react to sounds and light. Babies can recognize their parents' voices, know how to smile and gradually control head and neck movements.
4 – 6 months
According to the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many children begin to learn to flip, hold objects and react more strongly to the surrounding environment. This is also the time when children like to observe and explore.
7 – 9 months
Children begin to sit more firmly, can crawl or crawl to move. Babies also begin to babble simple sounds and react when called by name.
10 – 12 months
In the late and early years of life, many babies can stand on their shoulders, practice the first steps and understand some familiar words. According to information from the American Academy of Pediatrics, this is the stage when children develop strongly in communication and cognitive abilities.
Each baby has a different growth rate, so parents should not worry too much if their child reaches the milestone a little earlier or later. It is important to observe the progress of children over time and create a safe and loving environment for the baby to develop comprehensively.
