Oklahoma Parents as Teachers

Click on a link below to find specific information for your child's current age.

Newborns

Language Development
*Cries to communicate
*Recognizes and responds to mother's voice
*Is sensitive to noise levels
*Differentiates between speech and
other sounds
*Makes simple sounds

Social/Emotional Development
*Likes to be held closely and rocked
*Soothes to music
*Startles at loud noices and bright lights
*Reacts to facial expressions and tones of
voice

Motor Development
*Developing head and neck control
*Clenches fist around things pressed into palm
*Will lift feet when held upright on hard surface
*Throws out arms and legs and extends neck when
startled

Intellectual Development
*Vision is still developing: eyes may cross
or move independently
*Focuses on bold patterns and high-||
constrast images
*Is stimulated by new environments
*Brain is only 1/4 the size of an adult's
but will rapidly grow

Other Great Tips
* Remember your baby is still physically developing, so protect the soft spot in the center of your baby's head, and make sure to support his/her head and neck. NEVER shake your baby.

*Newborn feeding schedules vary; responding to your baby's hunger signals, such as rooting or sucking his/her lips, fingers, fists. It is not uncommon for newborns to lose a small amount of weight during the first week.

*Follow formula mixing directions precisely.

*Your newborn spends a large part of his day sleeping. Remember to always place your baby on his back to sleep unless directed otherwise by your physician.