Infant Birth through 3 months

By: Danielle Higgs

Physical Development and Health

Average height: 20 inches Average weight: 71/2

Shows active, but uncontrolled, reflexive body movement; can move arms and legs together
Keeps hands fisted or slightly open; grasps objects in reflex movements; holds object if placed
in hand, but drops quickly
Needs support for head; lifts head at one month, can hold up and turn vigorously at three
By three months, uses improved vision to look at objects more closely and for a longer time

Language Develop. and Communication

Cries deliberately for assistance, grunts and make some sounds

Shows facial expressions; vocalizes by crying; laughs out loud
Begins cooing one syllable, vowel-like sounds----- ooh, ah, aw

Approaches to Learning

Searches with eyes for sources of sounds; shows obvious preference for
faces over objects
Stops sucking, listens attentively to sounds/voices

Cognitive Development

Prefers to look at human faces and patterned objects; listens attentively to

sounds and voices
Cries deliberately for assistance: uses new forms of interacting

Emotional Development

Reacts to discomfort and pain; show distress; excitement; contentment,

anger and delight
Can quiet self by sucking; shows feelings of security when held or talked to
Whimpers when angry, chortles when content

Social Development

Does not understand self as a seperate person

Is comforted by the human face; quiets in response to being held
Makes eye contact, looks at a person alertly and directly
Shows affection by looking at a person while kicking, waving arms, and
smiling