A child’s growth is a real life miracle. Watch and observe as your child grows from a helpless little infant into a cheerful toddler and eventually into a playful and active child full of joy within just a few years. Some new parents might be concerned and are uncertain whether their baby is growing healthy as they are supposed to be. The table below is a growth chart that parents can use as a monitoring guide for their baby’s development.
| Age |
Characteristics / Abilities |
Hand - Eye Coordination
(related to fine motor development) |
Other Characteristics / Abilities |
| Birth to 2 months |
- Slightly raises head.
- Brings hands to face.
|
- Attempt to touch or grab objects within visual range.
|
Infant:
- Fontanels: soft spots on the head that ease the birth process and enable the growth of brain.
- Round tummy: Round and juts out as most of the stomach muscles have yet to develop.
- Bow-legged & pigeon-toed: due to the curling effect in the womb.
- Flat feet: May be due to fat in baby’s feet that will eventually fade away.
- Teeth: Formed under the gums.
|
| 2 – 3 months |
- Holds head up briefly and eventually steadily.
|
- Able to reflectively grasp object upon touch.
|
| 4 – 5 months |
- Able to transfer object from one hand to another.
|
| 5 – 6 months |
- Rolls over in both directions easily.
|
- Hand movements are more coordinated, may reach, grab, pull, rattle and move objects.
|
| 6 – 7 months |
- Sits up steadily without support.
|
- May attempt to catch objects that are thrown or rolled over to them.
|
| 7 – 9 months |
- Able to lift body up and crawl backwards, sideways or front or just slide on their belly.
|
| 9 – 10 months |
- Able to pull self up and cruise.
|
- Will master picking up objects with their thumb and fore finger (pincer grasp).
- Able to hold bigger objects with both hands.
|
| 11 – 12 months |
- Stands with support and starts to walk.
|
| 12 – 15 months |
- Able to coordinate and hold small objects properly like a crayon and scribble with it.
|
Toddler:
- Muscles are more developed.
- Teeth: Some teeth will start to sprout from gums.
- Able to carry things around and move without any help.
|
| 18 months |
- Unsteady steps, stands and sits without help and able to crawl upstairs.
|
|
| 24 months |
- More balanced and steady steps that will progress into running and climbing stairs.
|
|
| 36 months |
- Runs, jumps and plays steadily.
|
|
Child:
More coordinated and moves freely. Should have around 20 teeth by now. |
|
A baby’s entire process of growth and development is known as “maturation”. Each child’s growth is different from one to another. Do not force your child to advance further as they might not be physically or mentally ready. Instead provide encouragement and support and let your child set the pace.
