Development - Coos, Phonics, and Everything in Between

You come home from the hospital with a tiny new baby, but before you know it he’s crawling and walking. Now he’s running and getting into everything. While you try to catch your breath during this whirlwind of parenthood, read Kids Today for some of the most commonly asked questions about the development of children from birth to age 6.

At what age should my child...be sleeping through the night? Experts say: “Generally around 6 months many infants are able to sleep for about six to eight hours without being fed during the night,” says Mary Michaeleen Cradock, PhD, pediatric psychologist on staff at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “Younger infants tend to sleep for a few hours at a time and gradually learn to sleep longer at night. Parents can help their child by establishing a bedtime routine and planning how to handle nighttime awakenings.”

...Move from a crib to a bed? Experts say: If your child is continually trying to crawl out of the crib, it may be a good time to try a youth or regular bed.

“Usually between 2 and 3 years old most kids are making the transition into a bed,” says Rose Rudert, manager of St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s ChildDevelopmentCenter. “Talk to your child about it. If he or she is excited, then it’s probably a good time. But don’t be surprised if the transition takes several nights or the child wants to go back to the crib.”

...Start walking? Experts say: A lot of parents have the idea that their children should be walking by their first birthday, but that’s not always the case, says Dr. Cradock. Most babies crawl until 8 to 10 months. Walking is accomplished between 12 and 15 months.

...Begin talking? Experts say: Hearing that first word is a moment all parents long for.

“As a general milestone, babies will say their first word like ‘mama’ or ‘bye-bye’ around 12 months,” Dr. Cradock says. “Before that time, babies will babble, making a range of sounds. Parents help to shape those sounds into words by responding to the babbles. Then by 12 months, babies may recognize some words for familiar objects. A few months later, they’ll be able to respond to simple questions, like ‘Where’s your shoe?’”