The baby’s mental and developmental growth should correspond with its physical growth. Here are some simple tests which any mother can apply:
At six months a child sits alone; plays with simple objects, like a spoon or a pencil; grasps for a watch; turns in the direction of unexpected noises, and follows moving objects.
At one year it stands without support; walks with support; plays with toys; listens to the ticking of a watch; looks in the direction of noises; follows moving objects; says one or two words; shows how it knows its mother by crying when taken from her; responds to children, and is interested in its surroundings.
At eighteen months it both stands and walks without support; says quite a few words; cries when taken from its mother; follows intelligently what is going on around it.
At two years it runs; joins words to make short sentences; speaks without defects; is interested in pictures; can point to eyes, nose, ears, etc.
At three years it talks normally without defects; repeats six syllables perfectly, “It rains—I am hungry”; repeats two figures, “6-4, 7-3”;
enumerates objects seen in pictures; and knows the names of the various members of the family.
The mother should be absolutely certain that her baby’s sight and hearing are good. If she has reason to suspect that his vision is imperfect, or his hearing defective, she should consult a specialist at once. It is not natural for a baby to suffer with ear-ache. Do not use laudanum to relieve ear-ache. Have your doctor learn the cause of the pain and remove it.
“When should my baby begin to sit up?”
“How soon should I let my baby walk?”
These questions are frequently asked by mothers at Better Babies Contests.