Infancy and Toddlerhood Stages of Development

Physical Development

There is much growth in this stage although, not as rapidly as in the prenatal stage. The
infant will learn to lift the head as they lay down in this stage. This happens as the body
becomes stronger. The infant will also develop the ability to grasp which will allow the
infant to do to things such as holding their bottle or playing with a toy. During
toddlerhood, the child gains more control of motor functions and can do things such as
kicking a ball.

Language Development

From four to six months, the infant may begin to babble and coo, which is making
repetitions of sounds which sound close to language. As the infant gets closer to year one,
babbling may become coherent one word language. Most infants have a small vocabulary
of a few words before leaving the infancy stage. Through toddlerhood, language
continues to grow so that the child can identify object, peoples and body parts by name.

Cognitive Development

Within the first three months of life, the infant will begin to socially smile. That is to
smile in response or to smile to get a response. They may also begin to reach for things
that may catch their attention. This might include earrings, hair, clothing of interesting
colors, etc. Toddlers may be able to sort things by similarities.

Social/Emotional Development

The child will become accustomed to familiar voices and to their name. They will begin
to respond to these familiarities. Crying becomes a way to communicate that the infant is
hungry, tired, soiled, sick, etc. This is because the infant cannot yet communicate as those
who have mastered the art of language. The toddler may begin developing bit of
personality as they begin attempts of independence such as by feeding themselves.

Moral Reasoning/Self-Regulation Development

This development is to control their emotions, thoughts, and ultimately behaviors. The
infant may self-regulate by crying when there is a need that must be met. The infant
comes to understand that the parent responds to crying in a way to alleviate the source of
the infants cries. In toddlerhood, the child learns playing with others and sharing. They
must learn to deal with and control their emotions in dealing with others, especially with
their peers.

Sign of atypical development

If the infant is unmotivated to show signs of typical development in language such as by

babbling and cooing, it may be a sign of deficits in the development of the brain or
hearing. If the infant or toddler is not responsive to any type of stimulation, this could be
a sign of autism.

Social factor influencing development

Living in a poverty stricken and crime infested neighborhoods may hinder the growth of
a child in either infancy or toddlerhood. The health and overall wellbeing of the child is
often compromised in these environment. In comparison to others in the same age group,
the child may be behind in areas of development.

Cultural factor influencing development

Differences in how girls are socialized vs how boys are socialized may influence the
development of boys and girls in either infancy and in toddlerhood. Boys may be allowed
more constructive playtime while girls may be allowed more playtime that is centralized
by role playing.

Strategy to influence learning and development

Parents can place interactive, safe obstacle courses within the home to encourage learning
through play. This could include blocks, balls, and push toys for toddlers. For infants,
parents can introduce rattles, plush toys, mirrors, and puppets to their child.

References
Positive Parenting Tips. (2015, May 26). Retrieved from Center for Disease Control and Prevention:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/infants.html
Shaw, G. (2015, May 26). How Your Newborn Grows: Infant Development. Retrieved from WebMD:
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/infant-development-9/stages-of-development
Toddler Developmental Milestones. (2015, May 26). Retrieved from Parenting:
http://www.parenting.com/article/toddler-developmental-milestones