Early childhood development (ECD) is a complex theory that explains how a child learns and how the brain advances through stages of abilities from birth to 5 years of age. Newborn development stages are are one part of this theory. As your child’s parent, you are their most important teacher. As teachers, we support the children’s development as they advance their abilities. This blog focuses on the modern teaching approach in ECE, called the whole-child approach, where teaching encompasses the development of all aspects of the child’s learning: motor, cognitive, language, and social-emotional abilities.
Abilities & Preferences
Abilities are skills a child has or is developing, and preference means their likes or dislikes. Newborns develop abilities and preferences at their own pace, also called developmental milestones or skills. Many abilities overlap with one another, making it difficult to separate them. It is important to remember that children develop various abilities at different rates. Any child could be above the typical age in one ability and below the typical age in another. This blog focuses on how children engage and interact with toys and the abilities necessary for that interaction. It does not provide medical advice or disease control.
This blog focuses on how children engage and interact with toys and the abilities necessary for that interaction. We do not provide medical advice, medical conditions, child health suggestions, or disease control.
Table of contents
Newborn Development Stages: Birth to 1 month
Newborn Reflexes
The newborn adapts to life outside the womb from birth through one month. The newborn infant also has many reflexes mainly designed for protection and survival. These reflexes are an essential part of their development and include:
- PRIMITIVE REFLEX: breathing, swallowing, sucking, gagging, coughing, yawning, blinking, and elimination.
- ROOTING REFLEX: stimulated by touching the mouth where the infant turns toward the touch.
- MORO REFLEX: a startling reflex triggered by loud noise or bumping. Both arms are thrown open and away from the body, then are quickly brought into the chest.
- GRASPING REFLEX: the newborn’s fingers curl around an object in their hand.
- STEPPING REFLEX: newborn moves their feet up and down as if walking when their body is in the standing position, and feet are touching a surface.
- TONIC NECK REFLEX: happens as the newborn is lying on their back with their head turned to the side. One arm and the opposite leg will be extended toward the side the head is turned, and the opposing arm and leg are bent inwards to the body. This is sometimes called the “fencing position.”
- PLANTER REFLEX: is when the toes curl if the ball of the foot has pressure on it. During the first month, the newborn gains some control over these early reflexes, and gradually these disappear. As the newborn’s central nervous system matures, it begins to take over control with purposeful behavior.
These reflexes gradually disappear as the newborn’s central nervous system takes over for purposeful behavior during the first months of life.
Physical Development
Newborns have physical characteristics that differ from slightly older infants. Due to the birth process, their skin may appear wrinkled, and their head circumference may seem unusual. However, this will balance out during the first week. Newborns have irregular body temperature regulation, and wrapping them in a blanket can help regulate it.
The newborn’s head circumference is large in relation to the body. Soft spots called fontanels are on the top of the newborn’s head. These fontanels slowly start to close during the first month.
In the initial weeks of life, a newborn generally undergoes a brief phase of alertness right after birth. They sleep for 17 to 19 hours per day, and over time, they become more alert and responsive for longer periods. At this stage, newborns cry without tears, and their eyes are highly sensitive to light.
Newborns lack voluntary control over their bodies. They exhibit jerky arm movements and maintain a “fetal” position, particularly during sleep. In this position, their back is flexed or rounded, their arms and legs are held close to their body, and their knees are drawn up. Infants keep their hands in fists and are unable to reach for objects or grasp toys. They bring their hands within range of their eyes and mouth. However, their head control is limited and must be supported, or else their head will flop backward. The upper body is still developing strength, and the upper body has good muscle tone when the newborn is supported under the arms.
It is common for the birth weight of a newborn to drop, and this may vary between formula-fed and breastfed babies. However, weight gain usually picks up during the second month. There will be noticeable changes in the color and consistency of the newborn’s diapers.
Tummy Time
Newborns can turn their head from side to side while lying on their back or stomach. They are content to lie on their backs most of the time. Tummy time may be uncomfortable or comfortable for them, but they must continue this at their own pace for longer stretches at a time to avoid sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Sensory Development
From birth, newborns acquire information through their senses, learning from what they see, hear, touch, taste, and smell.
Sight:
The newborn’s vision is present, although limited, but they can make eye contact with people. They can focus both eyes, see objects up close, and follow slowly moving objects. Their eyes do not always work together and may appear crossed or wandering. They see outlines and shapes but are unable to focus on distant objects. Hand-eye coordination is not established yet. They enjoy light and brightness and may fuss if turned away from bright lights. Infants attempt to follow objects out of the direct line of vision.
Hearing:
Among all other senses, hearing is the most developed in newborns and is fully mature at birth. The infant can hear just as well as an adult, except for quiet sounds. They may turn towards familiar sounds, especially the sound of your voice, and prefer to listen to a mother’s voice rather than a stranger’s. Often, they synchronize their body movements to the mother’s speech patterns. They are soothed by gentle sounds and movements such as cooing, rocking, and jiggling.
Touch:
Newborns are highly sensitive to touch, particularly on their mouths and hands. They like being held and touched but may get cranky or cry when overstimulated. Newborn babies prefer gentle and soft sensations to rough ones.
Taste:
They can identify the fragrance of their mother’s breast milk and prefer sweet smells to bitter ones.
Smell:
Newborn babies tend to shy away from strong and unpleasant odors.
Cognitive Development
Newborn babies are born with cognitive skills that enable them to capture and hold their parent’s attention. This is to gain a better sense of the environment around them. These babies stare at facial expressions in close visual range, 8-12 inches or 20.3-30.5 cm. It’s best to give a warning before picking them up as they’re easily startled. They prefer human faces over other patterns.
Language Development
The reflexes exhibited by newborns, such as bite-release, rooting, and sucking, indicate early stages of language development.
When needing social stimulation, the baby signals it by crying and stops when picked up. Crying and fussing are the primary forms of communication at this stage. The baby reacts to loud noises by blinking, moving, stopping a movement, shifting eyes about, or making a startle response. They also prefer certain sounds, such as music or parent’s voice, by calming down or quieting. Additionally, they turn their head in response to a voice on either side and make occasional sounds other than crying.
Social-Emotional Development
Newborns come equipped with a range of innate social skills. They can express their needs and discomfort and respond to their parents’ reactions. Infants thrive on feelings of safety and security and, in a short time, develop a strong sense of security and attachment to their primary caregiver. However, their responses to different individuals may vary. For example, a newborn may become tense around a caregiver who seems uncomfortable with them.
It’s important to remember that newborns thrive on physical touch and affection. Holding them closely and cuddling them provides comfort and helps with their development and overall well-being. So don’t be afraid to give that little one a snug and loving embrace. During these early weeks of life, newborns start to smile for the first time!
Newborn Developmental Alerts:
Please take a look at Newborn Developmental Alerts!
If the newborn lacks these abilities, it might indicate that further evaluation is necessary.
Toy Safety
Toy safety is important because small objects should not be around newborns and young children. This first month is a good time for new parents to create a dedicated safe place and play area. In my next post, we will explore child development for young infants 1 thru 3 months. We will see that the reflexes are fading, and the infant has more control over their movements.
Conclusion
The newborn development stages are intricate, and there remains a lot to discover. From the moment of birth, newborns begin to navigate and understand their environment. They develop and grow at individual paces, and as they do so, we witness significant progress in their developmental milestones.
Links For Your Reference:
- Newborn Toys and Activities: Birth to 1 month
- Essential Toy Safety for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers.
- Whole Child Education: What is the Approach to Teaching?
- Developmentally Appropriate Toys: What and Why are They Important?
- American Academy of Pediatrics
I value your input and comments tremendously. If there is anything else I should include in this Newborn Development Stages blog post, please let me know! Until my next post, Keep Everything Simple. Talk with you soon!
Clarice
Monday 9th of December 2024
Thank you for bringing up these newborn developmental alerts. This is really helpful for first-time parents who might be clueless with these signs.
Thank you too for reminding us about toy safety. We'll save that once the baby is older.
Sonia Seivwright
Sunday 8th of December 2024
This brings back so many memories of the newborn stage! These little humans come into the world with such amazing instincts and skills to connect with us. I love how you mentioned physical touch and affection—those early snuggles are pure magic.
Fransic verso
Sunday 8th of December 2024
I've helped with babysitting after birth to a few month's baby and learned a lot haha. This is informative for parents with newborns, thank you for sharing.
Bedabrata Chakraborty
Saturday 7th of December 2024
Understanding these milestones helps parents nurture their baby's growth effectively. I appreciate the clear guidance and practical tips shared here. Thanks for the valuable insights!
Rosey
Friday 6th of December 2024
Toy Safety is so important. Especially true this time of year when so many cute toys are coming our way.