From birth, babies know how they like to be held, be comforted and who they like to be with. They have already gained a range of skills learned in the womb. These skills help a new-born baby make a secure attachment and reciprocal relationship with their caregiver. They are making active choices, even at this early age, and deciding how they prefer their world to be. They want and need to make relationships with the people around them. They thrive best when they experience relationships which are warm, secure, consistent, loving and responsive. Learning while being carefully nurtured suggests an emotional response and commitment to the child. They are eager and keen to make sense of their world around them. They have an innate power or drive to develop and revise their thinking processes.
Click the buttons below to see what a child may be able to do as they develop.
By three months of age a child may be able to:
Motor skills
Sensory and thinking skills
Language and social skills
lift head when at your shoulder
lift head and chest when lying on his stomach
turn head from side to side when lying on his stomach
follow a moving object or person with his eyes
often holds hands open or loosely
grasp rattle when given to her
wiggle and kick with arms and legs.
turn head toward bright colours and lights
turn toward the sound of a human voice
recognise the bottle or breast
respond to someone shaking a rattle or bell
while lying on back, visually track a moving toy from side to side
able to calm with rocking
enjoy a variety of movements, eg bouncing on knee.
make cooing, gurgling sounds
smile when smiled at
communicate hunger, fear, discomfort through crying or facial expression
usually quieten down at the sound of a soothing voice or when being held
anticipate being lifted
make eye contact
cry differently for different needs.
By six months of age a child may be able to:
Motor skills
Sensory and thinking skills
Language and social skills
hold head steady when sitting with your help
reach for and grasp objects
play with toes
help hold bottle during feeding
explore by mouthing and banging objects
move toy from one hand to another
shake a rattle
pull up to a sitting position on her own if you grasp her hands
sit with only a little support
sit in a high chair
roll over
bounce when held in a standing position.
open his mouth for the spoon
imitate familiar actions you perform
use both hands to explore toys
bring hands and objects to mouth
able to calm when rocking, touching and gentle sounds
is not upset by everyday sounds
enjoy a variety of movements.
babble, making almost sing-song sounds
know familiar faces
laugh and squeal with delight
cry loudly if upset
smile at himself in the mirror
notice toys that make sounds.
Activity 2
Download Building the Ambition - National Practice Guidance on Early Learning and Childcare Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014
