Stages of baby's psychomotor development
Do you know the major stages of your baby's psychomotor development between 0 and 2 years old? We explain all this development in this article!
Baby's psychomotor development: Key stages from 0 to 2 years
During the first two years of life, your baby will develop their motor and cognitive skills at lightning speed! From primitive reflexes to discovering their body , including first steps and first words , they will never cease to amaze you. At Biostime, we are passionate about this subject and we will share with you all our knowledge about the psychomotor development of babies between 0 and 2 years old .
What is psychomotor development? 1,2
Psychomotor development combines psychological development (intellectual, sensory, emotional, and behavioral) with motor development (posture, movement, and coordination). It is the process that allows your baby to discover the positions and movements that will lead them to walking. This development is particularly important in infants and toddlers , as this is a period of life marked by numerous acquisitions.
Four groups are often distinguished in psychomotor development: motor and postural acquisitions, language acquisitions, manual acquisitions, and oculomotor and reactive acquisitions.
What are the stages of psychomotor development in babies between 0 and 2 years old?
Before outlining the major stages of psychomotor development, it's important to remember that every baby develops at their own pace . Not all stages are reached at a specific age, so don't worry if your child doesn't reach every milestone by a given age!
From birth to 3 months 2
At birth, a baby possesses primitive reflexes, which are involuntary and automatic movements that appeared during fetal development: it grasps the hand when a finger is placed in its palm and it walks when held upright. These reflexes will disappear, giving way to more advanced reflexes from around two months of age . The baby can lift its head while lying on its stomach, follows an object or person moving nearby with its eyes, and begins to babble. Around three months , it can reach for an object and shake it for a few seconds.
From 3 to 6 months 3
He holds his head up straight, laughs heartily when you interact with him, and is learning to use his hands, which allows him to discover the different parts of his body. He pedals his legs and waves his arms in a more coordinated way. He can grasp an object intentionally, shake it, and put it in his mouth. He loves to imitate you, smiles at his reflection in the mirror, and expresses himself in syllables. At 6 months , rolling from his back to his tummy usually begins, and he is able to transfer an object from one hand to the other.
From 6 to 9 months 4
Between 6 and 9 months , your child learns to sit up, demonstrating the progression of their muscle tone. They roll from their tummy to their back and begin to crawl. This allows them to explore their environment more easily. This is also when the "pincer grip" (thumb and forefinger) appears, a very important step in your baby's psychomotor development as they can grasp small objects and become more dexterous. They discover that they can interact with objects and understand simple phrases.
Between 9 and 12 months 5
Your child is crawling, walking on all fours, and between 9 and 12 months , will gradually learn to stand. They may even sometimes move sideways while holding onto furniture. Don't force anything ; they need to explore on their own! They point with their index finger and wave goodbye, ask to hold their spoon themselves, and say their first words.
Between 12 and 18 months 6
Your baby's psychomotor development revolves around learning to walk and moving around in general. Independent walking is usually achieved around 15 months , so don't worry if your child isn't walking before 18 months! They will climb stairs with help and become increasingly independent. They will stack and fit simple shapes together, and they will scribble: their fine motor skills continue to develop.
Between 18 and 24 months 6.7
At 18 months, he can combine two words and name a few familiar pictures. He runs and climbs everywhere! And actively participates in getting undressed. Around age 2 , he's able to step over small obstacles or throw a ball. In terms of fine motor skills, he can perform more complex tasks like screwing/unscrewing or drawing. This is a period of more intense social interaction and richer language development. As parents, you can encourage your baby's psychomotor development by stimulating him and providing a suitable environment conducive to exploration. But always let him do things independently and at his own pace!
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Sources:
- Dr. Zennaki, A. Normal and Pathological Psychomotor Development of the Child. 2019. Available here
- Mpedia. [Online] The psychomotor development of children from birth to 3 months [Accessed 04/10/2023] Available here
- Mpedia. [Online] The psychomotor development of children aged 3-6 months. [Accessed 04/10/2023] Available here
- Mpedia. [Online] The psychomotor development of children aged 6-9 months. [Accessed 04/10/2023] Available here
- Mpedia. [Online] The psychomotor development of children aged 9-12 months. [Accessed 04/10/2023] Available here
- Godot, S. (2016). The major stages of a child's psychomotor development. Early childhood professionals [Accessed 04/10/2023] Available here
- PMI Aube en Champagne. Observing and supporting the development of children from 0 to 6 years old. The major stages of psychomotor development. Available here
