Child Development: 0 - 4 Months

In the first months, babies change and grow fast! Even when babies are born early or with health concerns, they soon begin to show interest in learning about and interacting with the world. Newborns learn by seeing, listening, and touching the things around them. They begin to communicate what they need, and they start to have a sense of attachment and security with their caregivers and parents.

See below for different ways you can help your child develop in response to different behaviors.

	
      Children This Age May:
		How You Can Help Them Develop:
    
		Children This Age May:
Be sensitive to loud sounds, bright lights, or activity, and may suddenly throw their arms out to the sides when startled.
      How You Can Help Them Develop:
Be aware that these are normal responses.

Move them to a quiet and soothing atmosphere to protect them from too much noise or activity.

      Children This Age May:
Learn to adjust their bodies for comfort and snuggle into a caregiver’s body when being held or fed.

*NOTE: Babies who are born early, or who spend an extended time in the hospital, may move differently or use different body positions.

      How You Can Help Them Develop:
Offer a variety of positions for them when they are awake—such as in your arms, on your shoulder, or on the baby’s back, sides, or stomach—to promote body movement and to acquaint babies with different positions.
    
      Children This Age May:
Begin to follow their parents’ and caregivers’ faces with their eyes, later moving their head.

Copy facial expressions in response to a parent or caregiver’s voice or smile.

      How You Can Help Them Develop:
Build skills and trust simply by looking at them warmly and quietly when they are awake.
    
      Children This Age May:
Develop a sense of trust and security with parents and caregivers.

      How You Can Help Them Develop:
Provide consistent routines that help them know what to expect. This may mean doing some activities, such as feeding and changing, the same way each time.

Children This Age May:	How You Can Help Them Develop:
Children This Age May: Be sensitive to loud sounds, bright lights, or activity, and may suddenly throw their arms out to the sides when startled.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Be aware that these are normal responses. Move them to a quiet and soothing atmosphere to protect them from too much noise or activity.
Children This Age May: Learn to adjust their bodies for comfort and snuggle into a caregiver’s body when being held or fed. *NOTE: Babies who are born early, or who spend an extended time in the hospital, may move differently or use different body positions.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Offer a variety of positions for them when they are awake—such as in your arms, on your shoulder, or on the baby’s back, sides, or stomach—to promote body movement and to acquaint babies with different positions.
Children This Age May: Begin to follow their parents’ and caregivers’ faces with their eyes, later moving their head. Copy facial expressions in response to a parent or caregiver’s voice or smile.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Build skills and trust simply by looking at them warmly and quietly when they are awake.
Children This Age May: Develop a sense of trust and security with parents and caregivers.	How You Can Help Them Develop: Provide consistent routines that help them know what to expect. This may mean doing some activities, such as feeding and changing, the same way each time.

Check out the videos below to learn more about the parent experience, bonding, and trust.

View or download our Tip Sheet for 0-4 Months for more information on important milestones and behaviors for children in this age group.

The Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines

Are you interested in learning about the expectations for your child's development based on their age? The Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines describe the path of children’s learning and development from birth to 8 years old. Broken down by age and major milestones, the guidelines are a sort of map, helping parents and caregivers navigate their child's early years. Experts from across Colorado developed these guidelines to create a shared understanding and a coordinated approach to learning and development.

Curious about what your little one is thinking at this age? Wondering what you can do to help them thrive and reach their developmental milestones? Check out the guidelines using the link below.

Browse the Guidelines

Download the Guidelines Document

Spanish version