Child Development

Mother holding child"Is my child normal?"

To help allay your concerns about your child's development, New Beginnings Pediatrics provides the following guidelines.

If you have any questions, please contact our office for an appointment.

Developmental Stages - Infants to Preschoolers:

What to Expect

Children develop in four areas: physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially. Parents need to understand that no two children develop at the same rate and that it is possible for one area to develop more quickly than another.

However, there are certain benchmarks that can be used to evaluate your child's progress, and indicate if there may be some problem that requires further evaluation.

Birth to 3 months

By the time they reach 3 months, most infants can do the following:

  • Follow objects with eyes and focuses on faces
  • Open and shut hands, bring hand to mouth, and swing arms
  • Raise head and chest when lying on stomach
  • Stretch legs and actively kick.

3 to 6 Months

By the time they reach 6 months, most infants can do the following:

  • Recognize people and familiar objects at a distance
  • See objects and reach for them with hand
  • Try to stand when held upright
  • Like to play and become upset when interaction stops
  • Respond to sounds and voices, turning head and smiling
  • Roll over from stomach to back and back to stomach

6 to 9 months

By the time they reach 9 months, most babies can do the following:

  • Hold and shake toys
  • Drink from baby cup
  • Begin to talk by imitating sounds
  • Crawl or scoot across the floor
  • Sit up for short time without support
  • Respond to mirror images

9 months to 1 year

By the time they reach 1 year, most babies can do the following:

  • Hold bottle for feeding
  • Stand and walk without support for a short span
  • Demonstrate emotions: fear, anger, frustration, affection
  • Pick up small objects

Toddlers (1 to 3 years)

By the time they reach 3 years, most toddlers can do the following:

  • Become potty-trained
  • Develop a 300-word vocabulary
  • Solve problems through trial-and-error
  • Walk, run, jump and climb
  • Participate in the dressing process

Pre-schoolers (3 to 5 years)

By the time they reach 5 years, most preschoolers can do the following:

  • Demonstrate a vivid and expanded imagination
  • Play-act and may have imaginary playmates
  • Show an awareness of female and male roles
  • Talk more frequently and clearly, often asking "why?"
  • Brush their teeth and participate in the bathing process

Our Locations & Contact Info

in Norwalk: in Bellevue:

FTMC Med Park II
282 Benedict Avenue
Suite B
Norwalk, Ohio 44857
419-668-9409

Business Hours
Monday - Thursday 7:30am to 9pm
Friday 7:30am to 5pm
Saturday 7:30am to Noon

The Bellevue Hospital Campus
1400 West Main Street
Building 1, Suite G
Bellevue, Ohio 44811
419-483-4122

Business Hours
Monday - Friday 8:30am to 5pm

After Hours: 419-668-4149