Ages and Stages for Newborns, Infants, Toddlers & Preschoolers

Over time, you may not realise how quickly your tiny tot has grown. The first few years of their development are especially important as they reach crucial developmental milestones.
But what are developmental milestones? How do you know your child is growing the way they should? What are the stages of child development and how to differentiate the newborn stage from your child’s infant and toddler stages? Keep reading to find out.

What are Developmental Milestones?

 
Developmental milestones are key skills or abilities that most children achieve at specific age ranges while growing. These milestones serve as checkpoints to track a child’s progress in different areas of development, including:

• Motor Skills (sitting up, crawling, walking)
• Cognitive Skills (recognising objects, problem-solving)
• Language and Communication (babbling, saying their first words, forming sentences)
• Social and Emotional Skills (smiling, showing empathy, playing with others)

While these milestones provide a general guideline, every child develops at their own pace. However, significant delays may indicate the need for further evaluation and support.

How are the Child’s Developmental Stages Organised?

 
Based on your baby’s abilities and growth, the developmental milestones are categorised by age range and the type of development a baby is going through, including:

1. Gross Motor Skills (Large Movements)

• 0-3 months: Trying to move their legs and arms and lifting their head while on tummy.
• 4-6 months: Successfully rolling over and even sitting with support.
• 7-9 months: Beginning to sit without support and crawl.
• 10-12 months: Pulling themselves up to stand, cruising along furniture, and taking the first steps.

Read More: Age-wise gross motor skill activities for your children

2. Fine Motor Skills (Small, Precise Movements)

• 0-3 months: Reflexive grasp and following objects with eyes.
• 4-6 months: Reaching for and grasping objects, and passing objects.
• 7-9 months: Pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger) and pointing.
• 10-12 months: Trying to pick up items and attempting to use a spoon.

Read More: Some of the best fine motor skills for every age group

3. Cognitive Development (Thinking and Learning)

• 0-3 months: Reacting to sounds and faces and recognising caregivers.
• 4-6 months: Exploring objects with mouth and hands and recognising familiar people.
• 7-9 months: Understanding cause and effect (dropping objects on purpose) and object permanence (knowing things exist even if hidden).
• 10-12 months: Imitating gestures and simple problem-solving (like using objects correctly).

4. Language and Communication

• 0-3 months: Making cooing sounds and responding to voices.
• 4-6 months: Babbling and responding to own name.
• 7-9 months: Imitating sounds and understanding “no.”
• 10-12 months: Saying first words (e.g., “mama,” “dada”) and responding to simple commands.

5. Social and Emotional Development

• 0-3 months: Smiling and recognising caregivers.
• 4-6 months: Laughing and expressing emotions more clearly.
• 7-9 months: Showing stranger anxiety and clapping.
• 10-12 months: Waving “bye-bye,” showing affection, and playing simple games (like peekaboo).

What Age is a Newborn, Infant, and Toddler?

 
Your bundle of joy is considered a newborn from birth up to 2 or 3 months of age. After that, they are then considered an infant till the age of 1. Once your child crosses the age of 1, they reach their toddler stage.

Ages and Stages of Child Development

 
From being a newborn to becoming a baby, there are different development stages for preschoolers. These milestones are crucial as your little one grows, develops different personality traits, and discovers the world around them. Below are the crucial milestones in their developmental stage:

1. Newborn Stage (0 to 3 months)

• While a newborn baby is a baby less than 28 days old, the newborn stage can extend up to two months.
• You can see some crucial developmental milestones at this stage, including emotional bonding with caregivers, weight gain, reaction to stimuli around, and smiling.
• If your baby is not smiling, trying to grab objects, or making eye contact, you may likely need to consult your paediatrician to understand the root cause.

2. Infant Stage (3 months to 1 year)

• The infant stage begins around two months and lasts until the baby turns one.
• At this developmental stage, your baby learns to sit without any support, start recognising objects and faces, transition to solid food from their liquid diet, and smile to brighten up your day.
• It is a subject of concern if your infant is not responding to your name, is not crawling, or is not showing any signs of motor development.

3. Toddler Stage (1 to 3 years)

• During the toddler stage, your baby is growing cognitively and mobility-wise.
• You will find them trying to learn your language, climbing the stairs, and starting with their potty training.
• Paediatricians may be concerned if your toddler has difficulty communicating, making eye contact, or has not yet developed motor skills fully.

4. Preschool Stage (4 to 6 years)

• Once your child crosses their toddler stage, it’s time for them to get enrolled into a preschool for further development.
• A preschooler’s development stage starts when a child reaches 3 years and lasts until they are around 5 to 6 years old.
• This is the time when you may see their motor skills and physical growth take the backseat, while they continue developing emotionally, socially, and intellectually.

Difference Between Newborn Stage and Infant Stage

The main difference between babies in their newborn stage and infant stage is their age. Usually, a baby is referred to as a newborn right from birth till 28 days or beyond that up to 2 months. On the other hand, a child is referred to as an infant either from birth or after 1 month of their birth till they turn about a year old.

Difference Between the Infant Stage and Toddler Stage

The key distinction between the infant stage and toddler stage of a child comes down to their age and developmental milestones. In India, infants are typically classified as children under 1 year old, while toddlers fall into the 1 to 3-year age bracket. Infants experience rapid growth and are busy mastering basics like sitting up and babbling. Toddlers, on the other hand, are little explorers. They are more mobile, independent, and eager to walk, talk, and make sense of the world around them.

Bottom Line

Developmental milestones vary for each child. Depending on their learning and growth rate, your child will develop different skills at different times. This blog is just an outline of what average developmental stages for babies look like at what age. But if you are concerned about your child’s development being slow, you should consult your paediatrician. They may refer you to a specialist if needed or guide you according to your baby’s development.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between a toddler and a preschooler?

When a child is said to be in their toddler stage, they are within the age range of 1 to 3 years old. A preschool-going kid needs to be between 3 to 5 years old.

2. How do I track my premature baby’s milestones?

If your baby arrived earlier than expected, you’ll still be able to track their milestones—just based on their due date rather than their birth date. Since premature babies need extra time to catch up, they may reach developmental milestones a little later than full-term babies.

3. At what age will my kid reach the toddler stage?

The toddler stage is when a baby is between 1 to 3 years old. So, once babies cross the one-year-old mark, they can be considered toddlers.

4. How long does the newborn stage last?

There are varied definitions for the newborn age range, while some experts classify a baby as a newborn up to 28 days old, others extend it to 3 months.

5. Is a 2-month-old baby considered to be at the newborn stage of development?

Yes, a 2-month-old baby is considered to be at the newborn stage of development. Some experts consider babies to be in their newborn stage of development until around 3 months old.

6. Is a 12-month-old baby considered an infant or a toddler?

Once a baby completes 12 months, they are considered a toddler. The toddler stage of development lasts from 1 year to 3 years of your child’s life.

7. What age is considered an infant stage for my baby?

The term infant generally refers to a baby from birth to about a year old.