Understanding Developmental Milestones: What To Expect in Your Child’s First Year

The first year of a child's life is a period of remarkable growth and development, marked by exciting milestones that shape their journey into toddlerhood. Understanding these developmental milestones can help parents support their child's progress and celebrate each new achievement along the way. Understanding what milestones to expect can also help you detect any delays that your child might deal with and it’s important to be prepared for how your child might develop. Dr. Carol Calabrese, Dr. Inna Meskin, Dr. Alexis Capozzoli, Renee Thomas APN and Joe Larena APN at Skylands Pediatrics in Sparta, NJ, can explain the developmental milestones you can expect in the first year of your child’s life.

What To Expect In Your Child’s First Year

There are several developmental milestones that your physician at Skylands Pediatrics in Sparta, NJ, can help you monitor in your child’s first year. Milestones will vary and span different areas of your child’s life. These milestones are physical, cognitive, and emotional.

During the first 3 months of your baby’s life, milestones may be more subtle as your child begins to grow and develop. During this period, your baby will develop basic motor skills such as lifting their head, grasping objects, and kicking their legs. Your baby may start to be highly responsive to sensory stimuli and begin to recognize familiar faces and voices. They will also start to express their needs through crying and smiling.

From 4 to 6 months, your baby will start to be more active. Your baby will begin to roll over, sit up with support, and reach for objects with increased coordination. Your baby's cognitive abilities expand as they demonstrate curiosity and interest in exploring objects through touch and exploration. They may also respond to familiar faces and voices.

From 7 to 9 months, your baby may start crawling, pulling themselves up to stand, and exploring their surroundings become prominent milestones during this stage. Object permanence develops, and your baby starts to understand that objects continue to exist even when out of sight. Separation anxiety may emerge as your baby becomes more aware of their surroundings and they develop a stronger attachment to primary caregivers.

At 10 to 12 months, many babies start to take their first steps independently, transitioning from crawling to walking, albeit with wobbly steps. Your child's cognitive skills progress rapidly as they engage in simple problem-solving tasks and imitate familiar actions and gestures. Your child's social interactions become more sophisticated as they engage in reciprocal play, show affection, and express a range of emotions, including joy, frustration, and empathy.

Contact Our Pediatrician Today

Make sure you have an idea of what to expect in the first year of your child’s life. Contact Dr. Carol Calabrese, Dr. Inna Meskin,  Dr. Alexis Capozzoli, Renee Thomas APN, and Joe Larena APN at Skylands Pediatrics in Sparta, NJ, to learn about developmental milestones and what you can look out for. Call for more information and to schedule your appointment today at (973) 729-2197.