Infant and Toddler Development

When will my baby take his first step or say her first word? Early childhood, from your baby's birth until he or she turns 5, is when children develop skills they will use for the rest of their lives. The normal growth of children can be broken down into the following areas:

• Gross motor - controlling the head, sitting and walking
• Fine motor - holding a spoon, picking up a piece of cereal between thumb and finger
• Sensory - seeing, hearing, tasting, touching and smelling
• Language - being able to talk and be understood, and understanding what parents and other children say
• Social - the ability to play with family members and other children

Babies do not develop at the same rate. There is a wide range of what is considered "normal." Your baby may be ahead in some areas and slightly behind in others. If you are worried about possible delays, talk to your baby's health care provider.

External Resources

First Years, Inc. (The) - Develops, markets and distributes high-value, competitively-priced basic feeding, soothing, play, care and safety products for infants and toddlers. (Nasdaq: KIDD).

Speech Development in the Infant and Toddler - Article outlining milestones and important aspects of speech development.

LaQuita's Speech-Language Development - This personal site by a professional speech-language pathologist provides information on speech-language development in infants and toddlers. Find information about disorders of speech and language and where to seek help, on signs of impaired speech and language in small children and steps for remediating these disorders.

Disabilities Studies and Services Center (DSSC) - Designs programs that meet the unique information, technical assistance, training, and research needs of professionals and programs who serve to improve the lives of infants, toddlers, children, youth, and adults with disabilities, and their families. DSSC administers the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY), the Federal Resource Center for Special Education (FRC), the National Transition Alliance (NTA), the Technical Assistance Center for Professional Development Partnerships, and Project Anchor.

Infants In Need, Inc. - Develops facilities to meet the special needs of infants and toddlers who are at risk due to abuse, neglect, other conditions. Services, auctions, and contact information.

Music Together of Laredo - Offers early childhood music development for infants, toddlers, preschool and kindergarten children and their parents, teachers and other primary caregivers.

Infant and Toddler Intervention Program - Helping babies and toddlers, ages birth to 3, with disabilities or delays in their development. ITIP supports families through education and family services.

Woodcreek Montessori - Infant/Toddler In-home Montessori Program, Roseville, CA. Credentialed 0-3 Montessori teacher with Child Development Degree. Low Ratio, Small Group size.

Cradle to Crayons - Child development center for infant, toddler, and preschool. Information about contacts, hours and directions.

Haverhill Family Network - Provides resources and support for families with infants and toddlers. Includes programs, calendar, FAQ's, child development information and links for children.

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