Your child’s development from conception to 2 years
Every child deserves the best start in life.
The time from conception to age 2 are critical to a child’s development.
That's why it's very important to nurture their social, emotional and cognitive development, as well as their overall health and wellbeing.
During this time a child’s brain grows faster than at any other stage.
Parental health and wellbeing
The health and wellbeing of parents is really important at this time too!
If parents and carers are healthy, have their needs met and feel supported and connected to their community, then they are better able to help provide the best start for their child.
If you are pregnant, or trying to fall pregnant, there are useful resources available, visit Pregnancy, birth and early childhood services - Canberra Health Services.
Some things you can do to help your child to grow well
- Provide them with warm, friendly relationships.
- Read and talk with them.
- Bond with them by smiling, playing, talking and cuddling.
- Spend time with them, so you can build a connection which is important for them to thrive.
Free help and advice
There are lots of services you can contact to help support your child as they grow.
Below is information on free ACT Government services.
Maternal Child and Family Health (MACH)
You can book appointments for:
- child health checks
- other parenting issues or concerns you have for yourself or your baby.
Call (02) 5124 1775 at any time.
Leave a voicemail message with:
- your name
- your best contact number, and
- the reason from your call.
Child and Family Centres: If you want to speak with someone about your child’s health, wellbeing, learning and development, they offer free support for families and carers.
Child Development Service: Help for ACT families with free child development checks and advice, and autism assessment for children up to 12 years.
Non-government services
EACH (NDIS Partner): 1300 003 224
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations
Children from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families can have a free health check every year under Medicare. You can ask your doctor about it.
- Winnunga Nimmityjah: 02 6284 6222
- Yerrabi Yurwang: 0400 123 258
- Gugan Gulwan: 02 6296 8900
Child health checks
Take your child to their health check appointments
You will find information on all of your child’s health checks in their Personal Health Record (previously known as the Blue Book).
This record has health information to help you track their immunisations, growth, and development.
To book their next health check or immunisation call the Central Health Intake line 02 5124 9977.
Keep up to date with your child’s immunisations
Keep your child protected against common infectious diseases.
The Immunisation Record in their Personal Health Record will tell you what immunisations they need from birth to 4 years.
You can book them in for their immunisations by calling the Central Health Intake line 02 5124 9977.
Your child's developmental stages
0 to 2 months
Some things they may be doing now include:
- calming when held (at up to 4 weeks)
- looking at your face and eyes (at up to 4 weeks)
- watching you as you move (at 6-8 weeks)
- smiling when you talk to them (at 6-8 weeks).
Talk to a MACH nurse/midwife or doctor if your child is not:
- making sounds other than crying
- beginning to smile
- looking at you in the eyes
- moving their legs and arms.
Some ideas for how you can spend time with your child include:
- singing and talking with them.
- showing them picture books.
- playing with them on their tummy.
- taking them out in their pram or carrier for walks.
- holding and cuddling them.
2 to 4 months
Some things they may be doing now include:
- making new sounds
- lifting their head and shoulders when laying on their tummy
- following people and objects with their eyes
- playing with their hands and feet
- rolling – please don’t swaddle them.
Talk to a MACH nurse/midwife or doctor if your child is not:
- doing things they used to
- responding to noise
- making sounds or laughing
- trying to grasp things.
Some ideas for how you can spend time with your child include:
- reading and sharing picture books with them
- singing and talking to them
- playing on the floor with them
- counting their toys with them
- taking them out in their pram or carrier for walks
- holding and cuddling them.
4 to 6 months
Some things they may be doing now include:
- standing with support
- putting things in their mouth
- passing things from one hand to the other
- babbling lots
- rolling – please don’t swaddle them.
- trying to get things that are out of reach.
Talk to a MACH nurse/midwife or doctor if your child is not:
- taking weight on their legs
- responding to their name
- babbling or laughing
- rolling.
Some ideas for how you can spend time with your child include:
- reading and sharing picture books with them
- singing, smiling and talking to them
- playing on the floor with them
- counting their toys with them
- taking them out in their pram or carrier for walks
- talking to them about the tasks you are doing together
- helping them calm down when they’re upset or excited.
6 to 12 months
Some things they may be doing now include:
- saying 1 or 2 words
- waving, pointing, clapping
- pulling to stand using furniture
- responding to their name
- crawling and exploring their environment
- trying to get things that are out of reach.
Talk to a MACH nurse/midwife or doctor if your child is not:
- interested in sounds or voices
- babbling
- letting you know what they want
- enjoying eye contact or cuddles
- seeming to understand you.
Some ideas for how you can spend time with your child include:
- reading books with them everyday
- playing music and sing with them
- counting their toys with them
- pretend play together with boxes, pots, pans or dress ups
- taking them out to the park or library.
12 to 18 months
Some things they may be doing now include:
- saying 20 or more words
- pointing to body parts or toys
- having big emotions
- walking on their own
- feeding themselves
- using their imagination when playing.
Talk to a MACH nurse/midwife or doctor if your child is not:
- understanding many words
- using 5-10 words with meaning
- trying to communicate
- enjoying eye contact or cuddles
- walking, pointing, or waving.
Some ideas for how you can spend time with your child include:
- reading books with them everyday
- singing simple songs with them
- counting their toys with them
- pretend play together with boxes, pots, pans or dress ups
- drawing, writing and counting with them
- taking them out to the park or library
- taking them to playgroup so they can be around other children.
18 months to 2 years
Some things they may be doing now include:
- saying 50 or more words and putting 2 words together
- having rapid changes in mood
- copying what you do, such as sweeping the floor
- listening to simple stories and songs
- dressing up and playing make believe
- climbing.
Talk to a MACH nurse/midwife or doctor if your child is not:
- doing things they used to
- coming to you for comfort
- understanding many words
- enjoying pretend play
- running.
Some ideas for how you can spend time with your child include:
- reading books with me everyday
- talking, playing and singing with them
- visiting the playground, library or play group with them
- counting their toys with them.
Acknowledgement
Thank you to A Village for Every Child (Belconnen) and their partners for their contribution to this important information.