| What develops |
How she progresses |
How you can help |
| Her mind |
- She can see clearly at a distance of 8-10 in (20-25 cm).
- She will respond to your voice by moving her eyes and turning her head.
- She will gaze at you and recognize you.
- She will become quiet when you speak soothingly and distressed when you are loud.
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- When talking to her, hold your face 8-10 in (20-25 cm) away from hers.
- When you speak, let her see your mouth moving, smile and make eye contact at 8-10 in (20-25 cm).
- Use your voice speak in a sing song voice, sing lullabies, and laugh a lot.
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| Her mobility |
- She will turn her head this control is the first step toward learning to walk.
- By the end of the first month, the most she may be able to do is lift her head about an inch off the surface when lying on her tummy.
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- Do gentle exercises to make her aware of her body.
- Her neck and back muscles are too weak to lift her head, so give her something to look at when she is lying on her back.
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| Her handling skills |
- Your baby is born with the grasp reflex which means she will keep her fists tightly closed and grasp anything put in to her fingers.
- If she’s startled, she’ll spread her arms, fingers and legs to protect herself.
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- Your baby can’t purposely hold on to anything until she loses the grasp reflex.
- Gently open her fingers one at a time.
- If she grasps your fingers, she’ll take her weight if you pull her up a little way.
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| Her social skills |
- Your baby is born ready to love other people and asks for love. She longs for company and takes immediate delight in you.
- She’ll respond instantly to your voice and your smell. She is upset by a harsh sounding voice.
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- Let her have contact with other people from when she’s very young.
- Be physical: make skin to skin contact with your baby; use your body to express love rock, sway and dance with her.
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| Her speech |
- She mouths if you speak to her at a distance of 8-10 in (20-25 cm) because she is trying to imitate your gestures and expressions.
- She’s born longing to communicate and will start to make little burbling noises as a mark of contentment.
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- Talk to your baby all the time so she gets used to your voice.
- Make facial expressions to match what you’re saying.
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