An insight into your baby's vision and perception
Your baby will have now developed their gaze and vision to be able to focus more closely on things that are nearby, such as toys, and familiar faces. They will be making eye contact with you during play and other times where your faces are close.
The development of depth perception
What's really happening when your baby gazes at their hands and reaches
Already by this stage, your baby will be enjoying looking at things. You may have noticed them gazing at objects above them, such as a mobile, or even your face when you are comforting them or playing together. You also might have noticed your baby's gaze change when they are looking at objects they are interested in – their eyes may widen when they notice a favourite toy, for example.[1]
Your baby's tuning in and linking words and objects
Your baby has been listening to voices and sounds since before they were even born, and from birth they have been hearing and responding to the sound patterns of spoken language. Even in the first few months of life, babies will be able to discriminate between different sounds, and will show a preference for familiar voices, such as those of their primary caregivers.[1]
Recognising patterns of speech, expressions and gestures
Your baby will now be starting to direct the sounds that they can make, perhaps towards you or other people, or sometimes at toys during play. They have been interested in watching and interacting with you since they were born and might have responded with movements or smiles when you spoke to them. Now, or soon, your baby will be starting to make more deliberate sounds with their tongue, mouth and lips, and looking towards people or objects when they do this.
Starting a conversation
Coo-ing, raspberries and babble: your baby's super sound system
Your baby will have been moving their mouth in different ways since before they were born. These movements won’t have been accompanied by any noise at first, and some of these will be involuntary reflexes, such as sucking and swallowing. Now you might notice your baby making shapes with their mouth, and beginning to make a few sounds. They may be blowing raspberries, gurgling and even watching you while they do this.
Crying, coo-ing and exploring sounds
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the unique journey?
Your child will take their own unique learning journey, mastering skills in 6 streams of development underpinned by play.
Starting to jump forward with both feet
Your toddler may have been jumping on the spot for some time now and may have used this skill when playing games and joining in with action songs. They may have bounced along to songs they like when they heard them. These bouncing movements have helped prepare your toddler’s understanding of how to bend using their hips and knees whilst swinging their arms. These movements are necessary for more advanced jumping.
Reacts to their reflection when looking at a mirror
Your baby has been interested in people since they were born. As they are awake and alert for longer and their vision develops, they will notice and respond to their reflection when looking in a mirror.
Starting to follow the motion of your hand if you point to something
Your baby has been interested in watching you and people around them and has started to show more interest in interactions. You might have noticed they initiate interactions in a variety of ways, perhaps by smiling, moving, or making sounds.
Your baby's strength and control
Many of your baby's early movements are the result of primitive reflexes which result in movement in response to stimuli. Now, your baby will be starting to show more control of their movements and you will notice their movements are starting to look smoother.
