New parents are eager to witness their children grow and bloom into a beautiful person. But the most prominent signs of growth are things like walking, saying words and growth in height and these take a lot of time to manifest. So how does a parent know if their child is hitting their developmental milestones? There are many small signs that show that your child is experiencing a healthy growth rate. Here are some signs you should know about. Stronger muscle toneAs your baby grows, they'll gradually develop better control over their body. One of the first signs is improved head control. When placed on their tummy, your baby should be able to lift their head for longer periods. This increased muscle strength is a crucial foundation for future motor skills like rolling over, sitting, and crawling. Social smilesAround six weeks, you'll likely witness one of the most heartwarming moments of parenthood: your baby's first social smile. This isn't just gas; it's a conscious response to your face and voice. Social smiles are a significant developmental milestone, indicating your baby's growing awareness of their surroundings and their ability to form emotional connections. Cooing and gurgling Your baby's initial attempts at communication involve sweet coos and gurgles. These sounds are more than just adorable; they're essential for developing language skills. As your baby experiments with different vocalizations, they're laying the groundwork for future speech and communication. Eye contactA baby's ability to maintain eye contact is a crucial indicator of their developing brain. As they grow, you'll notice that their gaze becomes more focused and they can follow objects with their eyes. Strong eye contact is vital for social interaction, bonding, and language development.Following objectsWatching your baby track a moving object with their eyes is a fascinating developmental milestone. This ability demonstrates their improving visual skills and attention span. As their eye-hand coordination develops, they'll eventually reach out and grasp for objects. Reaching and graspingYour baby's tiny hands are constantly exploring their world. As they grow, they'll become more adept at reaching for and grasping objects. This development is essential for fine motor skills, problem-solving, and object permanence – the understanding that objects continue to exist even when out of sight. Rolling overA major milestone in a baby's development is rolling over. This typically happens around 4-6 months as your baby gains strength and coordination. Rolling over gives your baby a new perspective on their world and opens up opportunities for exploration and play. Sitting with supportBy around six months, many babies can sit with a little support. This achievement strengthens their core muscles and prepares them for future milestones like crawling and standing. Sitting up also provides a new vantage point for exploring their environment. BabblingBabbling is your baby's first attempt at language. As they experiment with different sounds, they're laying the foundation for future speech and communication. Babbling also helps develop the muscles and coordination needed for clear speech. Stranger anxietyAround eight months, it's common for babies to develop stranger anxiety. This is a normal part of their development as they become more aware of their surroundings and form stronger attachments to their primary caregivers. While it can be challenging, stranger anxiety is a sign of healthy emotional development.