To compare physical characteristics such as a child's growth, weight and head circumference measurements with those of other children their age.

The infancy stage is the second fastest period of physical development in the lifespan.

The six of an infants head decreases in proportion from 1/3 of the entire body at birth, to 1/4 at age 2, to 1/8 by adulthood.

During the first year an increase in the level of body fat will occur to allow body temperature to be maintained as the baby grows. This fat will eventually disappear.

During infancy body proportions start to change reflecting the cephalocaudal pattern of development (developing from the head onwards)

Bones begin to ossify and increase in size and weight to harden further to enable the child to support its own weight.

The nervous system becomes more complex and fatty material called myelin allows messages to be transmitted more rapidly and efficiently. The senses continue to develop (even though vision is blurry) but soon the infant will be able to recognize familiar faces and sounds.

At birth the baby has a full set of primary teeth (10 in each jaw) hidden within the gums. These are known as baby, milk or deciduous teeth and the breaking of a tooth through the gumline is called an eruption. (also called teething) --> Generally a baby's first tooth comes through the gum between 6 - 9 months of age and the full set of primary teeth should appear by 3.

Newborn babies have around 300 bones, some of which are made of flexible cartilage to make a baby less prone to breaks when learning to crawl walk and run. Many of these bones fuse together as we age and by three leg bones are half of their eventual adult height.

Reflex are automatic reactions to stimulation that enable infants to respond to the environment before any learning has taken place. Reflexes are gradually replaced by controlled movements and motor skills develop.

Motor development follows the proximodistal pattern. An infant reaches for a toy by using shoulder and torso rotation to move to move had closer to the object.

In childhood the elbow and wrist will be responsible for the main movements.

By the age of one many infants can stand and walk. By age two they can usually throw and kick a large ball.

The infant begins to smile around six weeks and after 6 months will begin to recognize facial expressions

An infant will start to mimic behaviors, communication and social interaction which means behaviors such as waving goodbye begin.

A child may be able to say thank you but not know the true meaning of the word until two and a half when they can link it to concepts and displaying mannors.

Around six months of age the infant can enjoy basic games. (e.g peekaboo) This reflects the process through which an infant begins to differentiate themselves from their primary caregiver.

At around six months of age, most infants have not grasped the concept of object permanence. In the mind of an infant an object that is out of sight no longer exists. As the infant develops intellectually they begin to understand that although it cannot be seen it still exists.

They can create an image or object in their mind and with it all the memories of them. They can feel the security of the object or persons presence while yet maintaining a separateness.

All infants need to access to a variety of simple play material that are suitable for their age. Water, sand, cardboard boxes are just as good as facilitating play and learning as those toys bought from a shop.

sometimes its helpful to give toys and activities that are beyond an infants abilities to encourage their development. When an activity doesn't come easily to an infant they need to find a new way to accomplish it.