Wonder Weeks: Get to know the 10 developmental leaps
Children develop in spurts. Development can happen so quickly from one day to the next that both child and parent find it difficult to keep up. These stages of development are also called wonder weeks (leaps), and with each new leap, your child will discover something new about the world and itself.
In this blog post we will introduce you to the 10 developmental leaps your child will go through when he or she is between 5-75 weeks old.
Leaps increase the need for closeness and security
It is both a wonderful and an overwhelming time for your child when the world changes. New discoveries are made, but these can also make your child insecure and upset.
As a parent, you will find that your child becomes extra reassurance-seeking, fusses, and cries more and demands more attention in the period leading up to a new developmental leap. As your child gets older, he or she can become mad and furious, and both appetite and sleep can be affected.
PATIENCE, LOVE, AND COMFORT
Sometimes it will feel like no matter what you do, you can’t give your child enough reassurance. Your child constantly clings to you and demands to be carried. Here it is important that you comfort your child and give the security and closeness he or she needs. A confident child meets the world with greater confidence and curiosity.
When your child needs reassurance, you will also find that he or she has an increased need to suck, and some children start sucking on their thumb to find reassurance. The thumb is used as a substitute for the mother’s breast, but unfortunately it is a habit that can be very difficult to break.
Offer your child a FRIGG pacifier instead. The pacifier has been developed to give little ones the sense of security and comfort it longs for.
HOW MANY LEAPS DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO GO THROUGH?
According to the Dutch researchers Xaviera Plas-Plooij, Frans X. Plooij & Hetty van de Riijt, who have researched children’s developmental leaps, children go through 10 leaps during their first 20 months of life. They have also found out that these leaps happen at about the same time for most children.
All children are different, and how long a leap takes depends partly on the individual child and partly on which leap it is. You may also find that your child skips a leap or two.
The 10 leaps
1. THE WORLD OF SENSES – 5 WEEKS
Baby’s first leap. Here the senses develop, and your child begins, among other things, to be able to see colors. At this point, your child begins to look and listen more attentively. This is also where you will get the first smile.
2. THE WORLD OF PATTERNS – 8 WEEKS
Quality time with the children can be many things – often your child will be happier to take part in everyday chores with you than to go on big excursions and events. For example, if you involve your child in the cooking, he/she will feel like they are contributing to the family while also giving you both the peace and closeness you need – and so what if it messes up the kitchen a bit?
3. THE WORLD OF SMOOTH TRANSITIONS – 12 WEEKS
Here your child begins to understand smooth transitions, such as changes in your pitch. Your child will typically get very excited about rattles, just as he or she can start to examine things, such as your face, with the hands.
4. THE WORLD OF EVENTS – 19 WEEKS
Your child begins to understand simple connections between simple actions. At this point very simple games begin to excite your child – especially when they are repeated over and over again. This is also where your child starts to roll from stomach to back and vice versa.
6. THE WORLD OF CATEGORIES – 37 WEEKS
During this leap your baby begins to examine everything thoroughly – everything will be turned, touched, tasted, and taken apart. Your child will also start to build its inner vocabulary, so talk to your child and put words to the things you explore together. Your baby will also start crawling at this stage.
7. THE WORLD OF SEQUENCES – 46 WEEKS
During this leap your baby begins to explore how it can use things and put it together with other things instead of taking them apart. This is also when your child will start pointing at everything and becomes curious about the names of things. At this point, your child begins to gain its own will, for example, wanting to eat independently.
8. THE WORLD OF PROGRAMS – 55 WEEKS
At this point, your child begins to understand the connection between action and consequence. This is also where he or she will start becoming more independent and do more things by itself. Your child starts to understand the order of things, and it can get furious if you disturb it in the middle of something or don’t let him or her try for itself.
9. THE WORLD OF PRINCIPLES – 64 WEEKS
During this leap your child will start to be able to walk without support. In this leap of development, what your child has learned in the previous leap about sequences and consequences is also built on. Therefore, your child may now furiously disagree with you in the way you do things. It is after this leap that you start to be able to set rules for your child.
10. THE WORLD OF SYSTEMS – 75 WEEKS
This is the last leap. Here your child develops an early form of conscience and self-awareness. It is also at this time that your child begins to understand that he or she is part of a family where each member has different roles.
If you want to learn more about the 10 developmental leaps, you can read the book “The Wonder Weeks” by Xaviera Plas-Plooij, Frans X. Plooij & Hetty van de Riijt.
