CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Child Development Charts from 1 Month to 18 Years



Child Development Charts from 1 Month to 18 Years

Introduction

The early years of a child's life are extremely important for his or her development and health. Simultaneously, these are significant for the parents too, as they form the part of the child's first social network. It is the time when the child learns to develop communication and goes through many emotional experiences and physical changes (UNICEF 2012). Child development starts since conception in the womb. However, parents are essentially important in facilitating right development of the child. The initial years of a child's life are of chief importance as they contribute towards the development of his or her personality as an adult. Children learn through experience, and learn great many things through imitation. They imitate their parents, siblings and those around in their social circle.

Pre-teens and teenagers go through many emotional and physical changes that affect their behaviour also. They become moody and depressed since they feel uncomfortable within their bodies; this is because of the physical growth (facial hair in boys, and breast development in girls and pimples on their face). This is the stage where parents need to be supportive of their children to help them get through to this difficult stage. Every child goes through this stage, discovering him or herself. The following tables discuss the first eighteen-years of a person's life in extreme detail. The learning process for a child starts right from the time of birth. The child adapts to the new environment, and learns appropriate behaviour with time and develops a healthy personality.

This paper describes the development of a child from birth up to 18 years of age.

Child Development Chart: One Month

Physical

Communication

Intellectual

Social

Emotional

Moral

Head may be misshaped slightly

Crying

Feels the touch and responds by moving head slightly

Can feel and respond to stroking and cuddling

The baby comforts him/her self through sucking the thumb

-

Little to no hair on head

Moves hands and feet

-

Has soft spots on skull

-

Child Development Chart: 1 to 2 Months

Physical

Communication

Intellectual

Social

Emotional

Moral

Gains more weight

Crying

Imitates movement

Smiles

Stops crying when the baby is picked up

-

Grunts

Blow bubbles

Responsive

Recognizes familiar face and smiles sometimes

-

Lifts hands and feet

-

Child Development Chart: 2 to 3 Months

Physical

Communication

Intellectual

Social

Emotional

Moral

Can focus on objects

Crying

Smiles at others

Smiles as a response to one's smile

Demonstrates pleasure through smiling, moving arms and feet

-

Grown in length and gains more weight

Grunts

Recognizes faces of parents

-

Has better control of head

Make repeating sounds

Is aware of their fingers

-

Child Development Chart: 3 to 4 Months

Physical

Communication

Intellectual

Social

Emotional

Moral

Legs are not strong enough to carry weight

Stops crying at parent's sound or any other interesting sound

Is alert visually, follows objects or individuals with eyes

Smiles

Shows familiarity or excitement at certain sounds

-

Holds rattle or small objects

Makes happy noises

Demonstrates eagerness when about to be fed

Staring at the individual holding him/her

Listens intently at a familiar voice

-

Lifts head while lying of stomach

Turns head towards a sound

Looks at own hands quite often

Enjoys bath time and other similar tasks

Tries to communicate when talked to

-

Child Development Chart: 4 to 5 Months

Physical

Communication

Intellectual

Social

Emotional

Moral

Holds up chest ...