Development of Newborns and Infants - Free Parenting Resources

The ASPCA's kids' site.  With tips for being responsible pet owners, a Pet of the Week, Spotlight, and News features.

"Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving "bye bye" are called developmental milestones. Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, behave, and move (crawling, walking, etc.)."

“No two babies are exactly alike. Your baby will develop at her own pace. Most babies reach certain milestones at similar ages. However, it's not unusual for a healthy, “normal” baby to fall behind in some areas or race ahead in others.”

“Infant development begins at birth. Consider major infant development milestones from birth to 3 months — and know what to do when something's not right.”

“From ages 4 to 6 months, your baby becomes more aware of his or her surroundings. Infant development milestones include rolling over, clapping hands and babbling.”

The Ounce of Prevention Fund is dedicated to ensuring that, beginning at birth, children in low-income families can overcome the challenges of poverty and enter kindergarten fully prepared to achieve.  We believe it far more cost-effective, and caring, to help at risk children and their parents build healthy foundations than to treat problems later in life.

"It's never too early to read to your baby. As soon as your baby is born, he or she starts learning. Just by talking to, playing with, and caring for your baby every day, you help your baby develop language skills necessary to become a reader. By reading with your baby, you foster a love of books and reading right from the start. The tips below offer some fun ways you can help your child become a happy and confident reader. Try a new tip each week. See what works best for your child."

"Being a toddler is all about action. Encourage continued language development and interest in books and reading by keeping things lively and engaging. Everyday experiences are full of opportunities to engage in conversation and develop language skills. The tips below offer some fun ways you can help your child become a happy and confident reader. Try a new tip each week. See what works best for your child."

Parenting and Child Development Fact Sheets & Bulletins with titles such as “Parenting the First Year,” and “Tackling the Bullying Issue.” All sheets are also available in Spanish.

Most parents, at some point, wonder if their infant is healthy and developing normally compared to other babies their age.  In some circles, baby development becomes a kind of competition, where mothers and fathers brag that their child is already rolling over, eating solid foods, or has a vocabulary of more than 20 words.  These Tips for Parents will help you understand what’s normal and what to do if you suspect your infant is delayed.

In this Tips for Parents, learn more about teaching babies sign language so that they can communicate earlier.

This article discusses when and how toddler socialization develops, what comes next, and when to be concerned.

From the Berkeley Parents Network.  Resources and advice in a Q&A format.

“The Nation’s Leading Resource on the First Years of Life.”  Follow the “Parents” link to a “Parent’s A-Z” with articles on hundreds of topics, a tip of the week, FAQs, Brain Wonders (a section of the site devoted to brain development), and the national education campaign “The Magic of Everyday Moments.” It “is designed to help you and other caregivers understand and gain ideas for how to use simple, everyday moments to promote your child's social, emotional, and intellectual development.”