Developmental Timeline

Pregnancy

The first nine months

Helping you prepare for your new arrival

Development timeline pregnancy section image

8-12 weeks

Call the midwife

At 8-12 weeks pregnant your baby is starting to grow very quickly. Your baby’s face is now starting to form

21 weeks

Talking to your bump

From around 21 weeks of pregnancy, your baby can hear things outside the womb, hearing your voice and that of other family members will help their brain develop

26 weeks

Your emotional health

When you reach 26 weeks, the hormones linked to emotions start to cross the placenta

28 weeks

Eating well

From around 28 weeks pregnant, you’ll need to eat more, but only around 200kcal extra

28 weeks

Hello from your health visitor

From 28 weeks of pregnancy, you might feel more tired and uncomfortable. Your baby is now about the size of a pineapple

Baby

Welcome to the world

Caring for your little one

0-2 weeks

Connecting with your baby

New babies have a strong need to be close to their parents, this helps them feel safe. Looking at your face when you talk, sing and smile helps their brain grow

2 weeks

Stress free sleep

Your new baby’s stomach is still very small, meaning it's natural that they will wake regularly through the day and night for feeds

4 weeks

Here's looking at you

Your baby will follow objects and people with their eyes and start watching their hands

6 weeks

Let's play

Giving your baby tummy time and time on the floor, strengthening their back, neck and shoulders, and gives a different view of the world

6 weeks onwards

Once upon a nursery rhyme

Sharing books , songs and stories with your baby from a young age will help develop speech and language skills

5 months

Teething troubles

Your baby might start teething around now. The first teeth are usually the incisors on the lower gums

5 months

First dental visit

Your baby might have their first tooth sprouting now. If so, it’s time to register with the dentist

6 months

Baby's first foods

At 6 months, most babies can sit well, holding their head up, pick things up and put them in their mouths – now they’re ready for some solid food

6 months

Look who's talking

Your baby will start to babble tunefully and understand simple words like ‘up’ and ‘bye bye’, especially when used with an action

6 months

Let's play some more

Your baby will now be moving around more, and might be crawling

10 months

Ages and stages questionnaire

Your baby might be making babbling sounds in response to your voice, and enjoy games like peekaboo

Toddler

So many changes

Walking, talking and the terrific twos

Development timeline toddler section image

1 year

Bye-bye bottle, hello cup

Swap to a free flow beaker before your baby turns one. This will help their oral health and their speech and language development

1 year

Home safety

Your child will be exploring their environment and probably putting things in their mouth, so it’s important that the environment is safe

1 year

Separation and independence

As your child grows, they start to understand they are their own person and independent. They can also be affected by being away from you too though

1-2 years

Learning through play

Your toddler will start to walk by themselves, climbing and pulling themselves up on furniture and play equipment

2 years

Behaviour

As your child's independence grows, you might find it challenging to manage their behaviour and will need to put boundaries in place

2-3 years

Potty training

Your child might show signs of being ready for toilet training, such as telling you when they have had a wee or a poo

2-3 years

Learning through more play

Your toddler will be able to hold a crayon and make up, down and around shapes

Preschool

Growing up fast

Getting your little ones ready for school physically and emotionally

Development timeline preschool section image

3 years

Getting dressed

Your child might start to be more independent. Give them lots of opportunities to practice and develop their skills

3 years

Let's move more

Your child needs to me moving around, running and playing to stay healthy

3 years

Helping your child stay dry

Avoid fiddly fastenings to help your child be independent in using the toilet

3-4 years

Getting handy

As your child nears school age, they will start to develop increased strength in their hands and fingers, so encourage using a pencil and painting

4 years

Ready for school

Your child will need to be able to follow instructions and use a knife and fork when they start school

Pregnancy

Call the midwife

Talking to your bump

Your emotional health

Eating well

Hello from your health visitor

Baby

Connecting with your baby

Stress free sleep

Here's looking at you

Let's play

Once upon a nursery rhyme

Teething troubles

First dental visit

Baby's first foods

Look who's talking

Let's play some more

Ages and stages questionnaire

Toddler

Bye-bye bottle, hello cup

Home safety

Separation and independence

Learning through play

Behaviour

Potty training

Learning through more play

Preschool

Getting dressed

Let's move more

Helping your child stay dry

Getting handy

Ready for school

For Health Professionals

For Early Years Settings