Brain Development in the First 2,000 Days
A child’s brain grows the fastest in the first 2,000 days (in the first 5 years). During this time, it is the environment your baby lives in and the family they have around them that helps the brain make connections that will help with learning and their health for their life ahead- it’s a very important time.
Playing, reading, cuddling and talking with your baby helps them to learn, to communicate, and develop lots of different skills.
Development in Babies
The following list shows what most babies can do at this age- these are called milestones. You might find this list in your baby’s Blue Book given to you at the hospital. It can be a good idea to have your baby’s health and development checked with your child and family health nurse or GP.
Milestones for Babies (4-12 Months)
At 4 Months:
Social/Emotional Milestones:
- Smiles on their own to get your attention
- Giggles (not yet a full laugh) when you try to make them laugh
- Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention
- Makes sounds like “oooo”, “aahh” (cooing)
Language/Communication Milestones:
- Makes sounds back when you talk to them
- Turns head towards the sound of your voice
- Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving):
- If hungry, opens mouth when they see breast or bottle
- Looks at their hands with interest
Movement/Physical Development Milestones:
- Holds head steady without support when you are holding them
- Holds a toy when you put it in their hand
- Uses their arm to swing at toys
- Brings hands to mouth
- Pushes up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy
At 6 Months:
Social/Emotional Milestones:
- Knows familiar people
- Likes to look at themself in a mirror
- Laughs
Language/Communication Milestones:
- Takes turns making sounds with you
- Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
- Makes squealing noises
- Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving):
- Puts things in their mouth to explore them
- Reaches to grab a toy they want
- Closes lips to show they don’t want more food
Movement/Physical Development Milestones:
- Rolls from tummy to back
- Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
- Leans on hands to support themself when sitting
At 12 Months:
Social/Emotional Milestones:
- Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake
Language/Communication Milestones:
- Waves “bye-bye”
- Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name
- Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)
- Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving):
- Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup
- Looks for things they see you hide, like a toy under a blanket
Movement/Physical Development Milestones:
- Pulls up to stand
- Walks, holding onto furniture
- Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it
- Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food
Remember, every child is different and will develop at their own pace. It can be very helpful to regularly look at your child’s personal health record book. You can find a copy of the NSW child health ‘blue book” here. It is available in lots of languages. The child health record books have tips and ideas on your child’s development and ideas for play, safety, and good health up to 5 years of age.
Supporting Your Baby’s Development
Parents can support their baby’s development by doing a lot of different things throughout the day such as talking to your baby, playing with and responding to your baby. Here are some things you can try that will help your baby’s development
Tummy time: Place your baby on their tummy for a few minutes several times a day this will help with crawling, and then standing and walking
Play with your baby: Playing with your baby throughout the day by talking, singing, reading, and making time for indoor and outdoor play.
Playtime is all the time: Talking, singing, and reading can be done when changing, bathing, or feeding your baby.
Create a safe space: Provide a clean, safe place for your baby to play, such as a clean mat on the floor.
Toys: Have a variety of different toys available with different colours, sounds, and textures. Make sure the toys are safe for your baby’s age
Talk to your baby: If you see baby notice or reach for something, talk to them about that and name the toy or thing they are looking at. Talking to your baby about all the things you are doing is a great way to help your baby talk.
Talk about feelings: Notice when your baby is happy, sad, or tired, and talk to your baby about them- say “Oh you are having so much fun” or “You look a bit tired now, is it time for a nap”. This helps your baby to learn and talk about feelings.
Karitane Tip:
Tummy Time is best done on the floor
When to get help
If you’re concerned about your child’s development, it’s a good idea to talk to your GP or a child and family health nurse. Signs to watch for include:
- Doesn’t respond to sounds or make eye contact by 6 months.
- Can’t sit or roll by 9 months.
- Isn’t babbling or imitating sounds by 12 months.
Talking to a healthcare professional can help you and your baby if additional support is needed.
