Development 3 - 6 Months

Child Development 3 - 6 Months

Each child develops at their own pace, usually through the same stages or milestones in about the same order. Children grow and learn continually, but not in a smooth flowing pattern. Sometimes they practice skills for quite a while and seem as if they will never move on. Other times they learn many skills very quickly.

Understanding your child’s developing abilities and
what they can and cannot do at each age will help you to:

   • Keep your child safe
   • Help your child develop
   • Understand your child’s behaviour
   • Gain satisfaction and enjoyment from the important role of caring for your child.

Growth and Development

Between the ages of three and six months, most babies:

   • Become more alert and are attracted by brightly coloured or moving objects, They will look at curtains, leaves, shadows and mobiles.
   • Can put their hands together over their chest and look at them. They will then explore their hands with their mouth, as they do with any other object they can hold.
   • Will dribble more as their body begins to produce more saliva.
   • Become aware of other parts of their body — chest, knees, genitals, toes, etc. Slowly they learn ‘what me is’ and ‘what is not’.
   • Learn to turn over from tummy to back. Their whole view of the world changes when they learn to roll after weeks of practice. Babies learn to roll over and move more quickly and safely on a firm stable surface (e.g. the floor) rather than a soft one (e.g. a bed);
   • Are developing skills for crawling. From a very early age, they need some time on their tummies on a hard surface when they are awake. At first they may cry for you to help them turn back, but very soon they will be able to do this themselves.
   • Sleep less during the day, but probably a little more at night.
   • Are gradually learning to sit with support.

Language

Sounds are very interesting for babies at this age. They are beginning to babble and make some speech sounds themselves. You will help your child’s language development by.
• Talking and singing to your child, even when you are doing everyday things (e.g. changing a nappy, bathing, feeding).
• Smiling and talking back to your baby whenever your baby makes sounds or smiles.

Baby and other people
Most babies are starting to develop their own personality during these three months. They may be quiet, easy going, impatient or demanding. Parents can feel different and reacts in their own way to each parent.
The most outstanding thing about most babies this age is their friendly behaviour towards everybody. Sometimes they seem to prefer playing to eating. They do, however, manage to get enough food to stay healthy even if they don’t gain weight as quickly as they did before.

If a baby has been fed when hungry and comforted when upset or anxious, at four months they may stop crying and even smile when their parents are seen or heard because they know their needs will be looked after. This is when they begin to develop a sense of trust.

Learning through play

‘Practice makes perfect’
What is fascinating as a parent is watching and babies to learn about themselves, their surroundings and what can be done for them. If you give them the opportunity, most babies will practice new activities until they can do them.
Before three months, if you put something in a baby’s hand, they used it only to touch it. From now on, babies will put anything in their mouth to learn all about it. Your baby will not be able to learn easily if you use a dummy too often. Babies will reach out to touch bright interesting objects and they will deliberately shake toys that make a noise.
Babies of this age like to:
• Gain attention by smiling and ‘talking’ because of their love of people.
• Lie on a rug on the floor to exercise, learn how to control their muscles and practice new
skills.
If your baby is playing contentedly alone, try not to interrupt. Interrupting teaches babies to rely on
others for entertainment rather than amusing themselves.

Toys
If you often give your baby the chance to look, touch, mouth and listen, this will help them to learn. Practicing helps develop coordination. At this age, babies need toys like:
   • Bright, colourful objects hung within baby’s sight;
   • Strings of rattles stretched across the pram or bassinet (within reaching distance);
   • A soft ball or ‘texture block’ to grasp;
   • A small lightweight rattle to hold.

At this age your baby’s toys need to be:
   • Durable
   • Washable
   • Have smooth edges
   • No small parts that could be swallowed.
   • Cuddly toys stuffed with old stockings or dacron (crumbed foam may be swallowed or poked into noses or ears)
   • Preferably no furry toys (the fur can be swallowed during mouthing)

Safety

Between three and six months, babies learn to reach out and pick up objects, put things in their mouth, lift their head sit with support and roll over.

Therefore, you need to provide for your baby’s safety.
   • Always place your child in an approved car restraint every time you go out in the car.
   • Never leave your child unattended on a change table, bed, chair, table or supermarket trolley.
   • Never drink tea or coffee or smoke a cigarette with your baby on your knee.
   • Always restrain your child in a highchair, shopping trolley or stroller to prevent falls.
   • Provide short periods in the playpen to help your baby accept safety limitations later.
   • Always be present when your child is chewing ‘finger foods’.
   • Never leave your baby alone in the car when you go shopping, not even for a few minutes.

For more help and Information
If you would like more information about your child’s development or are worried about your child, talk to your child health nurse or your doctor.
You could also ask at your local library for books on child development.