The first year of a child's life is a time of rapid development and growth. Here are some of the milestones you can expect to see from 6 to 12 months:
Physical Development:
By six months, most babies can sit with support, roll over, and reach for and grasp objects.
By nine months, many babies can crawl or scoot around on their bellies, pull themselves up to standing, and cruise along furniture.
By twelve months, most babies can stand unsupported and take a few steps on their own.
Cognitive Development:
At six months, babies can recognize familiar faces, reach for objects they see, and understand cause and effect (e.g., if they drop a toy, they know it will fall).
By nine months, babies can search for hidden objects, respond to their name, and imitate sounds and gestures.
By twelve months, babies can follow simple directions, point to objects they want, and understand some words and phrases.
Language Development:
At six months, babies begin to babble and make a variety of sounds.
By nine months, babies may say their first word and understand a few simple words and phrases.
By twelve months, babies may say several words, use gestures to communicate, and understand more words than they can say.
Social and Emotional Development:
At six months, babies may begin to show stranger anxiety and cling to familiar caregivers.
By nine months, babies may begin to show separation anxiety and understand basic emotions (e.g., happy, sad).
By twelve months, babies may show affection for familiar people, wave goodbye, and play simple games like peek-a-boo.
It's important to remember that every child develops at their own pace, so these milestones are only general guidelines. If you have concerns about your child's development, it's always a good idea to talk to your pediatrician.
Encouraging a sense of self is an important aspect of a child's development. Here are some tips on how to promote a sense of self in children:
Encourage exploration: Encourage your child to explore their environment by providing a safe and stimulating space for them to play and discover. This will help them develop a sense of independence and self-confidence.
Use positive reinforcement: Praise your child when they do something positive or achieve a milestone. This will help them feel proud of their accomplishments and build self-esteem.
Foster decision-making skills: Encourage your child to make simple decisions, such as what to wear or what toy to play with. This will help them develop decision-making skills and a sense of control over their lives.
Respect their individuality: Recognize and respect your child's individuality by allowing them to express themselves in their own unique way. This will help them feel valued and appreciated for who they are.
Use positive self-talk: Use positive self-talk when talking to your child. This will help them develop positive self-talk and self-esteem.
Teach emotional regulation: Teach your child how to regulate their emotions by helping them identify and express their feelings in a healthy way. This will help them develop emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
By promoting a sense of self in children, you can help them develop a strong sense of self-identity and self-esteem, which will serve them well throughout their lives.
Yes, regular developmental checkups are important for infants between 6 to 9 months of age. These checkups are typically done by a pediatrician or another qualified healthcare provider and are an important part of ensuring that your child is developing normally and meeting key developmental milestones.
During a developmental checkup, the healthcare provider will typically conduct a physical exam to assess your child's growth and development, as well as check for any signs of developmental delays or health issues. They will also typically ask you questions about your child's behavior and development, and may administer developmental screening tests to assess your child's cognitive, social, and emotional development.
Regular checkups during this time period are particularly important because this is a critical period for infant development. By the age of 9 months, most infants should be able to sit up on their own, reach for and grasp objects, roll over, and crawl. They should also be able to babble, respond to their name, and begin to imitate sounds and gestures.
If your child is not meeting these milestones, a developmental checkup can help identify potential issues and allow for early intervention to help your child catch up and develop to their full potential.
In general, it's a good idea to schedule developmental checkups at regular intervals throughout your child's early years. Your pediatrician can provide guidance on how often these checkups should be scheduled based on your child's individual needs and development.
Yes, keeping a record of your child's medical checkups and developmental milestones can be very helpful, especially when visiting a doctor who is not familiar with your child's medical history. By keeping track of your child's medical checkups, you can ensure that you have accurate information about your child's growth and development, and can provide this information to healthcare providers as needed.
Some important pieces of information to include in your child's medical record include:
Dates of medical checkups and immunizations
Height, weight, and head circumference measurements
Any concerns or questions you have about your child's development
Milestones your child has achieved (e.g., first words, crawling, walking)
Any health issues or illnesses your child has experienced
Any medications or supplements your child is taking
By keeping a record of this information, you can help your child's healthcare provider get a clear picture of your child's medical history and development, which can be helpful in diagnosing and treating any health issues that may arise.
It's also a good idea to share this information with anyone who cares for your child, such as grandparents or babysitters, so they can be aware of any important health or developmental information.
There are many tools available to help parents keep track of their child's medical history and developmental milestones, including mobile apps, online trackers, and paper-based record-keeping systems. Talk to your child's healthcare provider for recommendations on the best way to keep track of your child's medical information.