Growth

Size

• I am growing faster now than I will grow at any other time in my life. My birth weight will at least double by the time I am six months old.
• My brain is also growing and developing quickly. I need nutritious food and lots of playing and moving around to help my brain develop.

Teeth

• Teething usually begins around 6 months old and will continue until I am about 2 to 3 years old.
• I might be fussy and cranky when I am teething and I will probably drool a lot of saliva. I might not be very hungry.
• You can help me by letting me chew on a clean teething ring or damp washcloth.
• Do not use teething gel, ice cubes, teething biscuits or soft foods to help me teethe.
• I could choke on these things.
• Talk to my dentist or doctor if my gums become red and sore or if I get a fever or diarrhea when I am teething.
• Clean my mouth and teeth every day to help prevent cavities.

Development

Movement

• I am getting more control over my movements.
• I can control my head movements.
• I use my hands and mouth to learn more about objects and my surroundings.
• My legs are getting stronger. I will push down on my legs if you stand me on my feet.
• I might sit without help for short periods.
• I can roll over from my stomach to my back.
• I might rock on my hands and knees. I might even start to crawl.
• If I see something I want, I will reach for it.

Language

• I like it when you talk, sing and read to me.
• I smile or laugh when you talk to me in a nice voice.
• I might cry when I hear an angry voice.
• I might stop crying when you talk softly to me.
• I make several vowel-like sounds, such as “e” and “a” and I like it when you repeat the sounds that I make.
• I squeal, grunt, laugh and might start to babble.
• If I do not babble or make sounds, take me to a Speech Language Pathologist.

Hearing

• I will turn my head toward sounds and voices.
• If I do not seem to hear you when you come into my room, take me to my doctor.

Vision

• I like to look at my hands.
• I smile at myself in the mirror.