At what age should children start being watched closely due to increased mobility and risk?

Children typically start to show increased mobility around the age of 4 months, which is when many begin to roll over and explore their immediate environments more actively. This developmental stage significantly increases their risk of accidental injuries, such as falls, ingesting small objects, or encounters with environmental hazards.

At 4 months, caregivers should be particularly vigilant, as infants may start to push themselves off surfaces, leading to potential dangers that they are unable to recognize or avoid. This monitoring helps provide a safe environment as they explore and learn motor skills.

While the other ages mentioned (2 months, 6 months, and 1 year) do involve developmental milestones, they do not coincide with the notable surge in mobility that occurs around 4 months. At 2 months, infants are still mostly immobile and primarily engaging in activities like looking around and reflexively grasping objects. By 6 months, children may be sitting up and starting to crawl, and at 1 year, most are walking. However, the emphasis on close supervision becomes crucial at the 4-month mark, as it is a precursor to these more advanced mobility skills and risks.