Introduction
Mumma, Dada, did you know that by the end of my fourth month, I’m learning and doing so many new things? Here’s what I’ve been up to:
The Benefits of My Early Development
Gross Motor Skills: I might be able to roll from front to back. When I’m face down, I can move from side to side until I roll over onto my back. I make vigorous, swimming-like movements. I can put my feet in my mouth and suck my toes. While in a supported sitting position, I can keep my head balanced and upright.
Fine Motor Skills: I use an ulnar palmar grasp, holding objects using the ulnar side of my palm without using my thumb. I can hold objects with both hands. I reach for objects with one or both hands. I want to touch, grab, manipulate, shake, and taste objects. I can hold and drop objects, but I still can’t pick them up.
Cognitive Development: I repeat actions that cause interesting reactions or results. My long-term memory is increasing, especially with familiar faces and voices. I make more deliberate movements and start anticipative movements, like extending my arms and opening my hands, when I see a desired toy. I explore the physical properties of objects, such as their weight and shape, and other characteristics like position and distance.
Speech Development: I’m interested in producing and imitating new sounds. I might direct sounds toward nearby people, objects, and toys.
Sensory Development: My eye-body coordination is improving, and I can look at an object and try to reach it. I’m beginning to perceive depth. I deliberately turn my head toward objects and sound sources.
Self-Care: I enjoy bath time and lift my head when lying on my back in the tub.
Social-Emotional Development: I engage with other people, with a preference for you, Mumma, and Dada. I smile more openly. I actively look around when in a new place, exploring my surroundings. I laugh as a method of socializing and cry when playtime is over or stopped.
Types of my developmental milestones
Other Development Highlights: I’m beginning to understand cause and effect. My short-term memory continues to improve but is still limited to a few seconds. My feeding and sleeping schedules are increasingly established. I’m learning that you respond to my crying, and I may use it to get your attention.
Physical Development: I can support my upper body with my hands on the floor during tummy time. I shake a rattle toy with my hand to make sounds. I can move to a side position from face-up and go to a tummy-down position from a side position. I can direct my toes to my mouth using my hands. I raise my hands to hold items when placed close by. I lift my neck and balance it while being pulled to a sitting position. I show a strong grip and try to lift my upper body when holding your fingers or a rod with both hands. I can follow objects during tummy time by moving my head and eyes. I can hold my body and head in a sitting posture but tumble due to a lack of balance. I can take weight on my legs for a few seconds when you hold me up by my hands. My body still wobbles, but I’m starting to balance.
How to Support My Development
Communication Development: I look in the direction of the person speaking to me. I try to imitate a few words with ‘a’ vowel sounds, like ma, pa, da, etc. I show likes and dislikes for rhymes and music through sounds and body actions.
Social and Emotional Development: I respond clearly to expressions like smiles, laughter, sad faces, crying, or loud sounds. I show excitement by moving my hands and legs and making sounds. I cry when engagement or play is disturbed.
Conclusion
Research shows that these early developmental milestones are crucial for my growth and learning. According to studies in Pediatrics and Infant Behavior & Development, engaging with me through talking, playing, and responding to my needs helps enhance my cognitive, motor, and social-emotional development.
Maa and Daddy, your love and interaction play a significant role in my development. Keep talking, playing, and cuddling with me, and watch how I grow and learn every day!