Precocious Behavior in Infants

During the first year of a little one's life, parents may find babies becoming increasingly independent and curious about the world. While most infants will grow and develop at a predictable, constant rate, some babies may show advanced physical, social and sensory development during the first year of life. Even if your little one is not showing precocious development, your baby's growth pattern may still be normal and healthy.

  1. Birth to 3 Months

    • During the first three months, most little ones can bring objects to their mouths, turn their heads from side-to-side and hold toys, according to Boston Children's Hospital. Your baby's behavior may be precocious if he is holding his head steady, lifting his head and shoulders, clapping or rolling over between two and three months old, according to BabyCentre. Smiling or laughing during baby's first month of life are also signs of advanced development.

    4 to 6 Months

    • After the three-month-mark, most parents may find a baby sitting upright with support, passing objects between hands or rolling over, according to Boston Children's Hospital. If your daughter is imitating speech at 4 months, or expressing anxiety towards strangers and sitting unsupported at 5 months, she is showing advanced behavior for her age, according to BabyCentre. As she turns 6 months old, a precocious baby may practice crawling or dragging objects to herself.

    7 to 9 Months

    • Parents may find play time more enjoyable after the sixth month. Little ones typically learn how to play peek-a-boo, crawl and pull themselves to standing positions from 7 to 9 months, according to Boston Children's Hospital. Precocious babies may bang objects together or stand with support at 7 months, or indicate wants with their hands at 8 months, according to BabyCentre. Once your son reaches 9 months old, he may know to use "dada" and "mama" for the proper people.

    10 to 12 Months

    • The mobile months are coming. From 10 to 12 months, most infants can walk around the house using support, feed themselves and pick up small objects, according to Boston Children's Hospital. Precocious 10-month-olds can drink from a cup, while advanced 11-month-olds can say one word in addition to "dada" and "mama," according to BabyCentre. As your little one reaches her first birthday, she may be able to walk well and scribble with crayons.

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