Cognitive Milestones
By Editorial Staff
Contributed by Info Guru Terri Wallace
Having a new baby brings with it a sense of awe as your precious little one starts to discover the world around him.
Watching your child start to reach certain cognitive milestones, seeing him learn and think and start to problem solve, is an amazing journey. From about two months to three years, your child’s cognitive skills are developing rapidly and he will make great strides in his abilities. Here are some of top milestones you can expect during these early, formative years:
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10. Facial recognition
At about two months your child begins paying attention to faces. All of a sudden, peek-a-boo becomes the most fascinating game ever, and nothing could possibly be more interesting to your little one than to gaze at your face. Enjoy this while it lasts!
9. Boredom
Also at around two month of age, your baby starts to experience boredom and you may notice that he cries or acts fussy if and activity doesn’t change. You should plan on having a engaging toys and visual options available to help baby (and you!) make it through this trying period.
8. Mood sharing
At about four months of age, your child shares his moods. If he is sad or cheerful, cranky or tired, your little one will waste no time letting you know!
7. Affection
Expect your child to start responding to affection at about four months, as well. Hugs, kisses, cuddles and coos are very good ways to show baby how much you care, so make sure to shower him with love.
6. Gimme
The “gimme” stage starts at about four months, as well, as baby starts to reach for his toys with one hand. You should also be prepared for him to reach for your glasses, your earrings, your necklace, and whatever you may be drinking at the time.
5. Facial scrutiny
Not only will baby be watch you as you move across the room, but he will also start observing your face with more interest at around four months of age. Suddenly your nose is infinitely interesting, and your cheeks need to be patted and pinched more than you ever thought necessary. This period of great scrutiny on the part of your child balances out the period of disdainful disregard known as “the teenage years.”
4. Fine Motor Skills
At around nine-months, your child’s dexterity begins to improve and he may start picking up small objects like cereal, using his index finger and thumb. This is a good time to make sure the dog and cat food are where baby can’t reach them; otherwise, “puppy treat” may become synonymous with “baby treat.” Also be aware of choking hazards at this age when everything your child touches seems to end up in his mouth!
3. Responsiveness
Around the one year mark, baby starts to respond to simple requests like “Pick up the toy.” Enjoy this phase while you can! Encourage your little one to pitch in and pick up; too soon, your requests will be responded to with the newly learned word: No!
2. Memorization
As your child approaches two years of age, all of that bedtime reading you did for your little one starts to really pay off! Now your toddler can complete familiar sentences from books as you read to him. No longer can you skip through the boring bits of the story you have read and reread a hundred times, because now your little one will realize what you are doing and correct you!
1. Let’s pretend
At three years of age, your child enters the fantastical world of make-believe! Suddenly your child is making up stories and games with you, other children, even the family pet! “Let’s pretend” may well become your toddler’s favorite phrase.
The first few years of life offer many cognitive milestones, but the developmental skills mentioned here are the building blocks which many of their skills are based.
Resources:
Popular Savings Offers
Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development
Centers for Disease Control: Developmental Milestones