A Baby’s Fourth, Motor Skills, Visual & Hearing Development

All right so your baby is now four months old. At this age your lovely baby has achieved a great amount of progress such as being more active, is interested more in his or her environment, controls his or her own movements better especially the head which the baby can now turn into all directions. Babies’ movements are now deliberate and they start to distinguish and recognize objects because of their shape and color. Their vision can now perceive depth, focuses at different distances and is binocular. Babies start to socialize as well and love talking. These conversations should be done at 30 centimeters of distance, approximately. Wait for the baby to respond to you, and learn to listen to him or her. Babies also recognize visual and by hearing and change their facial expression to show when they are happy or angry. Their hearing capacity is reaching its full development.

What do Babies Like at Four Months of Age?
Certainly, you will need to continue observing babies at this age to see what type of stimulation is convenient for them, as well as the moment, time and duration of the stimulus.

The first time babies’ start speaking in their typical “Gaga” etc language, they are trying to communicate before actually being able to speak. This is why babies like adults to talk with them and answer with gurgling, sounds or strong laughs. When they do this, they are discovering sensation and movements: such as splashing in the bathtub, turning around and changing positions, and grabbing objects deliberately and shaking them. They also love going out on walks in their stroller and look at their environment. They love shaking their legs, kicking and laying in between cushions. At this age it is normal that babies drool a lot or that their gums hurt them, and this does not mean necessarily, that their teeth are coming in. Drooling is caused because they don’t know how to swallow it. The process of learning can last up to a year of age.

A Baby’s Motor Skills (4 Months)

• The baby lays face down and is able to balance himself on either side until being face up

• Keeps the head straight when lifted

• Moves the head into all directions

• Tries to roll over himself to be on his back or stomach

• Grabs objects that are at his reach and puts them in his mouth

• Pulls on your hair but is not able to let go on his own

• Supports himself on his forearms if he is face down and holds his head up

• Hits at water and splashes with force in the bathtub

A Baby’s Visual Development (4^th Month)

• Grabs objects that are at his reach and shakes them

• Looks for the origin of a sound and stays looking at the place where an object has fallen

• Will look at you when you talk to him

• Looks at objects with interest

• Scrutinizes the way he looks in the mirror

A Baby’s Hearing (4^th Month)

• Emits sounds and noises to get attention

• Enjoys listening to different sounds

• Music calms him down and he listens to it with attention