Child Growth And Development
Child growth and development varies greatly between children. Your child may walk at 11 months. Your neighbour's baby may still be crawling at 16 months. Both are quite normal. Each child is different because each child is individual.
Child Growth and Development 1 - 4 months
The average length of a baby is between 50 and 70 cm
He will grow about 2.1/2 cm per month
His weight will be between 3.5 and 7.5 kg
This will increase by approx. 0.15 kg per week
The normal body temperature of a baby of this age group is between 35.7 – 37.5 C
The circumference of his head and chest will be almost the same
His head circumference will increase by almost 2 cm per month during the first couple of months and then by 1.1/2 cm for another couple of months
His rear fontanel will close by his second month
His skin will be very easily irritated
He will cry with real tears
Child Growth and Development 4-8 months
Baby will now be gaining around 0.5kg per month and will have doubled his birth weight
Average length is around 71 cm and baby will grow by slightly more than 1 cm per month
Head circumference will continue to increase
He will be breathing from his abdomen
His eye colour will change to show his permanent colour
He may begin to show signs of teething
A reflex action will make him throw out his arms if lowered suddenly
He will learn how to move food from the front to the back of his mouth
Child Growth and Development 4-8 months
Baby will now be gaining around 0.5kg per month and will have doubled his birth weight
Average length is around 71 cm and baby will grow by slightly more than 1 cm per month
Head circumference will continue to increase
He will be breathing from his abdomen
His eye colour will change to show his permanent colour
He may begin to show signs of teething
A reflex action will make him throw out his arms if lowered suddenly
He will learn how to move food from the front to the back of his mouth
Child Growth and Development 8-12 months
Baby’s length will increase by half of his birth length by the time he is 12 months old
He will continue to gain about 0.5kg per month and will weigh in the region of 9 or 10 kg at 1 year
His body temperature will remain between 35.7 and 37.5 C
Head and chest circumferences will still be very similar
The front fontanel will begin to close
His arms and hands will develop, the hands appearing large compared to other parts of his body
His foot arch will not yet be fully developed so he will appear flat footed
His eyes will be working together and he will be able to see objects in the distance
Teeth will continue to erupt
Child Growth and Development 12-24 months
The rate at which a child grows will now slow down to approximately 6 or 7 cm per month
He will gain around 0.20 kg per month weighing in at about 3 times his birth weight
His head circumference is now growing at a rate of l.3cm per every 6 months and the skull bones are now beginning to thicken, the front fontanel is nearly closed
His chest circumference will now be larger than that of his head
Although his legs may appear bowed his general body shape is more like an adult
Teeth will continue to erupt
Child Growth and Development 2 years
He will now be gaining around 1 kg per year
And growing approximately 10cm per year
His body will now be more upright although his tummy will continue to protrude until his abdominal muscles are fully developed
Teeth will nearly all be through
Child Growth and Development 3 years
General growth is now slower but his height will continue to increase by about 6 or 7 cm per year
Weight gain will be in the region of 2 kg per year
His general body proportions will appear more equal as his legs begin to grow and his baby fat disappears. His tummy muscles will now be developed so his posture will be more erect
The circumference of his head and chest will be about the same
He will need to consume about 1,500 calories daily
At 3 years:
Males will be approximately 53% of their final adult height
Females “ “ 57% “ “ “
Feet & first shoes
It is really important that children have the right size shoes so their feet can develop.
Children's Shoes
Teeth
Teeth need to be brushed at least twice a day with a soft toothbrush.
First Teeth
Number of Baby Teeth
Eyesight
Babies can see from birth but their eyesight develops slowly over six months.
Newborns Eyesight
Food To Aid Eyesight
Stages of Development
Children all develop at their own rates but there are some developmental milestones that occur at certain stages.
Age Stages of Development
For information on stages of child development Click
child growth and development
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