Neuro-typical Development

Typical baby development:

| Fetal |
Touch starts to develop in the womb around the seventh week of pregnancy.

Over the next few months, touch receptors develop throughout the baby’s body. At 11 weeks of pregnancy, the baby will begin to make small movements. These movements indicate that baby is making their first “explorations,” sensing their environment and their own body. By the middle of the third trimester, baby will be able to feel all kinds of sensations, including heat, cold, pressure, and pain.

| Newborn |
Newborn babies have very sensitive skin.

The mouth, cheeks, face, hands, abdomen, and soles of the feet are some of the most sensitive parts of the body. For newborn babies, skin contact is essential for bonding and communication. Baby feels safe when you touch their skin. Baby also responds to touch with the grip reflex. When you glide on the palm, they will curl their fingers and grasp. Similarly, when you place an object on their palm, they will grasp it. Most primitive reflexes disappear as the baby gets older.

| 0-1 year old |
Babies begin to have new perceptions through sight, touch, taste, smell, and hearing.

At one month old, the neck muscles of a baby are not yet developed enough to support the head for long periods of time. When the baby is lying on their stomach, they can only lift their head for a short time. The movement of the limbs is influenced by primitive reflexes of the newborn period. For example, the startle reflex is a reaction to a loud noise or a sudden unexpected stimulus, in which the baby throws out its arms and spreads its fingers. Primitive reflexes begin to weaken by the sixth week of life, after which the baby’s strength and coordination improve.

By three months of age, the baby can move their head freely on their own.

At about four months of age, the baby’s neck is strong enough to lift their face from a prone position. At this age, the baby begins to play with their hands and grasps the caregiver’s fingers intentionally, not reflexively.

At 4-6 months of age, baby will be able to use their large muscles, and their balance and movement will improve dramatically. At this age, baby will be able to turn over and sit up with their hands in front of them. They will also be able to grasp objects with both hands and hold toys in their palms.

At 6-9 months of age, connections in the nervous system are formed, and baby will have better muscle control.

At 7 months of age, baby will be able to see almost like an adult. They will be able to coordinate their legs and trunk, sit stably on their own, and crawl using both their hands and feet. Some babies will even be able to stand up by pulling on their hands, but the timing and order of these movements will vary.

At around 9-12 months of age, baby will be able to move their hands and fingers freely, and may be able to grasp small objects with their index finger and thumb. Their brains continue to grow, and they will be able to control their large muscles. At this age, baby will be able to crawl and stand. Before they start walking, baby may “cling” to furniture or objects to get around the room. Climbing develops muscles and coordination, and also helps children practice walking.

Most infants begin to walk at around 9 to 15 months of age. These first steps are made possible by changes in the brain and spinal cord.