Sparkling Growth
The first two years :
A freshly separated sparkling is tiny, only able to sustain a protoform the size of a human child, and will remain in this stage of development for some time. Depending on the size of the carrier the size of the sparkling can be larger or smaller, but will be no larger than an average sized human adult and no smaller than a basketball.
It is incapable of running higher programs and should be kept with its carrier as much as possible. At this stage, the sparkling is still bonded to its carrier, and to a lesser extend its other creator. It is advised not to separate the carrier and the sparkling for longer than an hour at a time. It's detrimental to the development of the sparkling and causes severe paranoia in the carrier. [see Sparkling Withdrawals] While the alternate creator can keep the sparkling happy for a slightly longer period it isn't advised to become a common practice.
The mated pair shouldn't be alarmed if their new sparkling doesn't consume any energon in the first week after separation, as the sparkling took all the available fuel from its carrier prior to separation and will be using this source while its first processes come online. [see Carrying Stages : Separation] If after a week the new sparkling doesn't seem interested in offered fuel the pair should seek medical advice. Some sparklings burn through the fuel taken from their carriers slower, and a medic will be able to determine if that is the case. Any longer than two weeks and medical intervention becomes necessary.
Lack of appetite can come from being denied their carrier for extended periods of time and the pair should try to avoid this scenario if at all possible. Sparklings are very sensitive and can easily fall into depression if kept away from their carrier. Their sparks are also dependent on the stability of the adult spark that carried them during this time, since it's from their carrier that they learn to maintain their own EM field.
The Early years :
Once your sparkling has had time to stabilize into its first form you may notice it begin to babble, attempting to communicate. It will start learning its first motor functions, rolling around and even walking unassisted. The sparkling will need to be kept entertained when it isn't having its needs attended to. Sparklings are high functional at this stage, and will try new things constantly. Keeping them occupied will negate most possible escapades that could cause them to become damaged.
At this stage the sparkling's frame type can be chosen and it can support the addition of doorwings or other extra appendages.
The sparkling protoform can accommodate the growth of the little spark up until a point, and it is advised when the sparkling starts becoming excessively fussy or even vocally complains of having chassis pains that the creators start designing a larger protoform for them, this one may have rudimentary armor and slightly more advanced processes.
Creators may notice at this stage if their little one is a natural at something. For example, a natural tactician will find creative ways to obtain a goal, and a natural spy will be good at hiding from their playmates. The sparklings are able to drink special mid-grade energon at this stage in small amounts, but it is advised that the creators keep this mixed in with the sparkling energon their medic provides them.
At some point at towards the end of the sparkling stage the creators will need to have their sparkling transferred into a larger frame. This is known as their 'transition' frame and will remain their frame until they are upgraded into their adult frame. These frames are longer-limbed than your little one is used to and clumsiness is common.
Your sparkling is learning constantly now and seems able to speak in short, complete sentences. They will be interested in the goings on around them and will want to spend more time away from their creators. They are becoming independent at this stage, but the creators can expect that they will still need attention when things go wrong.
Having playmates their own age will help the transitioning sparkling learn about the finer points of social interaction as well as help them develop the skills necessary to function in the world beyond their family unit. It is encouraged to have playdates frequently, and trusted caretakers may be allowed to attend the sparkling overnight, provided the carrier is able to remain apart from them that long.
The carrier may become restless and paranoid at this point, constantly worrying themselves when the transitioning sparkling is out of their sight. This is normal, as at this stage the strong bond formed at the conception of the sparkling are beginning to fade and sometimes the carrier doesn't take the process particularly well. Comms to the sparkling will assist in this process, rather than reuniting carrier and sparkling. Over time, as the carrier's instincts are able to adapt to the weakening bond these symptoms will ease into negligible levels.
Once the sparkling is able to speak coherently, maintain its own EM field away from its carrier/alternate creator's sparks, has moved into its transition frame, and begins looking for more challenging projects with which to keep itself occupied then it is time for the sparkling to enter into the Youngling stage.
Terms to look for :
Carrier : The adult creator in a bonded pair that physically held the sparkling within its chassis when it was a newspark
Transitional Frame : A frame type, between the Sparkling and Adult stages that a sparkling is put into towards the end of its sparkling stage. This is larger and runs more advanced programs than the sparkling's initial frame. Also may have light armor.
Sparkling Withdrawals : The state of the carrier of a sparkling wherein they are constantly on alert for possible danger to their sparkling. When the sparkling is out of their sight they enter into a paranoid, battle ready state that persists until the sparkling is returned to them.