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Ages and Stages

What to expect and how you can help, as your child grows and develops.


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Home > My Child > Ages and Stages > Birth to 6 Months


My Child
Birth to 6 Months

In this time period, you will see wonderful things start to happen, but remember each child develops at his own unique pace.

Play the Game (866K)


Welcome to the Zap Family
Babies: A developmental overview
Baby Zap's First Word
Baby Zap in Conversation
Baby Zap Needs a Hug
Baby Zap Wants to Do it Herself
Baby Zap Wants to Play Ball
The Walls are Closing in on Baby Zap's Mom
Welcome to the Zap Family

At This Stage

  • Your baby will develop more predictable eating, sleeping and activity cycles, and by six months will probably stay awake and alert two hours at a time in the day, napping morning and afternoon and, perhaps, sleeping through the night.


  • Your newborn's uncoordinated movements and fisted hands will gradually develop into smoother motions: reaching and grasping, shaking things and passing objects from hand to mouth.


  • Your baby is happier being close to people, and will begin to express squeals of joy and babbling sounds to get your attention and, by six months, is beginning to build a healthy sense of self and relationships with others.


Remember, your baby's cries are a clear signal that she is in need of something, is upset or wants to be physically close to you.

Find out more about what to expect.


Comfort, Play & Teach: A Positive Approach to Parenting™

To help you to encourage your child's social, emotional and intellectual development, we have created Comfort, Play & Teach: a Positive Approach to Parenting™. This simple approach is built on everyday activities that are part of your daily routine.

What may seem like the simplest and most automatic activities that you do with your child every day - like putting a bandage on a "boo boo", playing hide and go seek, or cuddling with your baby – are in fact among the most important ways parents can help children reach their full potential.

When you comfort, play with and teach your child, you open up a world of possibilities for her. Through simple activities that are easy and natural to do, you encourage your child's ability to learn and to create, to communicate to love and to trust and to approach life with confidence and enthusiasm.

  • When you comfort your child, she learns to feel secure, loved and valued.
  • When you play with your child, he learns to explore and discover the world and his role in it.
  • When you teach your child, she learns how to relate to others, solve problems and communicate.

All areas of your child's development are interconnected and depend on nurturing the whole child. Comfort, Play & Teach: A Positive Approach to Parenting™ provides a practical and natural way to support your child's healthy development. When you comfort, play with and teach your child, you are encouraging all aspects of his development:

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