Stages of Development from Infant to Child

Newborn Stage

• According to Raisingchildren.net/au, the newborn stage lasts 0 to 3 months. During this time, development starts at the top--the head--eventually making its way to the rest of the body. According to Medline Plus, some physical characteristics during this stage include the hands being balled up in fists, an inability to support the head and neck while being lifted to a sitting position and an ability to flex arms and lift and turn her head while lying on her back, usually by two months of age.

  Language development begins as soon as a baby begins to cry, which is his first method of communicating. A newborn's cry varies depending on his mood or need. A newborn may make noises other than crying to communicate his needs. He is also alert to voices at this stage.

  A newborn's physical needs typically govern her behavior. She alternates between active crying, active sleep, drowsy waking, fussing, quiet alert periods and quiet sleep periods. Sleep/wake cycles will not be stable until three months of age.

Infancy

• The infancy stage lasts until about thirteen months of age. During this time, the baby experiences many social and emotional milestones, including responding to his name and your voice by three to four months. Infancy also brings milestones like enjoying play with other people and expressing emotions with the face and body, by smiling, for example.

  Major language development during infancy begins with coos before six months and moves on to vowel sounds from six months onward. This evolves into babbling and laughing at around six to nine months. Finally, the baby may say simple words like "mama" and "dada," but not necessarily in their appropriate context. He may also respond to simple, one-word commands.

  Major physical milestones include supporting the head and neck, being able to lift the belly off the ground, supporting himself on his legs and arms, sitting up without support and crawling. From nine months on, your baby may exhibit the ability to stand with or without support and may even take steps, although this may not occur until later.

Toddler Stage

• From one year to three years old, toddlers develop physically in many ways. They learn to drink from a cup, walk without help, scribble and stack blocks. Two year olds typically can jump with two feet together, walk and run and take objects apart. They also may show an interest in toilet training.

  Social and emotional changes at this stage include a reliance on routine. A one-year-old sees herself as the center of the world, plays independently and experiences rapid mood shifts. An older tot becomes more sure of himself, asserts himself by doing the opposite of what you ask and imitates adults around him.

  A young child usually can name simple and familiar people and things. He may also imitate animal sounds. An older toddler may use three or more words in combination, memorize short rhymes and sing simple songs.