Stepping Stones in Your Child's Development

A lot happens between your baby's birth and age 5. Here are just a few things to watch for.

Cognitive/Social

At age 7 months, your baby responds to his or her name. He or she likes social play, too. One-year-olds start to get a little shy around strangers, but by age 2, they're more independent and are excited about being around other kids. Three-year-olds can sort objects by shape and color -- by age 4, kids start playing make-believe. Five-year-olds comprehend complex concepts, like gender, and understand everyday household items, like microwaves and sinks. They also should be managing their own bathroom needs.

Vision

By the end of three months, babies watch others' faces closely, follow moving items and recognize objects and people from afar. Full-color vision develops by the end of seven months -- at this time, long-distance vision and object-tracking abilities will have matured and improved.

Speech

A social smile develops by the end of three months. Babbling starts, too. Expect to hear "dada" or "mama" by your baby's first birthday -- he or she will also be trying to imitate other words. Babies should be using two-to-four-word sentences by age 2, with their speaking abilities improving even more after that.

Exploring

By age 7 months, your little one will be exploring with his or her hands (and mouth!) and may struggle to reach faraway objects. One-year-olds are exploring in other ways: by banging, throwing and shaking objects. Three-year-olds will be using mechanical toys well. In years four and five, watch for your child to grow more independent and interested in new experiences.

Movement

Babies should be able to support their own weight on their legs by the seventh month. They can stand and possibly take a few steps without support by their first birthday. At age 2, babies can walk alone and may even start to run. By age 5, they'll be skipping, running and more!

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