The development of a baby's skills between 0 and 3 years: everything you need to know

• The first 3 years of a baby's life represent a pivotal period: their brain develops faster than ever, their body strengthens, and their emotions take shape.

During these first three years, baby acquires incredible skills, both visible (walking, talking, playing) and invisible (memory, emotions, language).

Understanding these stages allows us to better support their development and provide them with the experiences they need.

From 0 to 12 months: the basics of life and awakening

The first year is marked by a rapid learning curve.

• 0-3 months: baby develops its senses, follows objects with its eyes, recognizes familiar voices.
• 3-6 months: he voluntarily grabs objects, starts to roll on his stomach, reacts to his name.
• 6-9 months: he sits up, babbles with different syllables, discovers object permanence (a hidden toy still exists).
• 9-12 months: he crawls, pulls himself up with support, understands small words, laughs at imitation games.

👉 At this stage, offering suitable and sensory games is essential: they develop motor skills and curiosity ( see our article on baby's awakening ).

From 12 to 24 months: explore, walk and communicate

In the second year, baby becomes a true explorer.

• He walks, climbs, pushes and pulls objects.
• He begins to say his first words, then to put them together.
• His language already includes more than 100 words by 18 months (source: Hart & Risley, 1995).
• Simple construction games (pyramids, puzzles) stimulate his hand-eye coordination.

👉 This is also the perfect age to introduce a second language naturally. According to neuroscience research, brain plasticity between 0 and 3 years old allows for the effortless absorption of the sounds of a foreign language.

This is exactly the goal of the Noor & Koala bilingual play kits , which combine games and books to introduce English from a very young age.

From 24 to 36 months: the age of imagination and autonomy

From the age of 2, a baby makes a spectacular leap in their development:

• He forms complete sentences and begins to tell short stories.
• It develops fine motor skills: stacking blocks, turning pages, using a spoon.
• His games become symbolic : pretending to cook, taking care of a stuffed animal, inventing dialogues.
• He enjoys imitating adults and wants to "do it himself," a principle dear to Montessori pedagogy.

👉 At this age, he needs games that nurture his imagination while channeling his energy. Bilingual activities reinforce his language skills and open his mind to the world.

Key takeaways

• The first 3 years are a key period for overall development (motor, cognitive, emotional, linguistic).
• Each step prepares the next: walking, speaking, understanding… everything is intertwined.
• The experiences you offer your baby (games, stories, interactions) shape their brain.

Hence the importance of choosing activities adapted to each age . Not just to keep them occupied, but to stimulate their development, strengthen the parent-child bond and build solid foundations for their future.

Between 0 and 3 years old, a baby experiences a true inner revolution . Every smile, every step, every word is the result of invisible work by their brain and body.

As a parent, you play a vital role: providing your child with suitable environments rich in sensory and emotional experiences. The Noor & Koala kits have been designed with this in mind: to support each stage with educational, bilingual games adapted to their development.