Child Development


	Your Child At 2 Months At two months, your baby may: focus eye to watch your face when you talk follow lights or objects with eyes smile and react by crying when distressed communicate through crying , cooing and babbling According to the American Academy of Pediatrics... at 2 months, let your doctor know if he or she: doesn’t notice his hands; doesn’t smile at the sound of your voice; doesn’t follow moving objects with his/her eyes; doesn’t respond to loud noises. Safety tip… Never shake or spank your baby. Shaking can cause brain damage. Keep small objects that present a chocking hazard. In the crib keep your baby’s room at a temperature that’s comfortable for adults-don’t make it too warm avoid devices that maintain sleep positions In the car Your baby must ride in a car seat that (property attached or secured) Your Child’s growth and development Read to your child from day one (When you read together, you help child learn to love books-and you!) Talk to you baby (babies learn by listening to you talk, so the more you talk to your baby, the better. play together right from the start ( Play allows your baby to explore and express his/herself, connect with other people and make sense of her surroundings. Sings songs (your voice will soothe your baby and the sounds and rhythms will teach him/her about words and language. For information about child car seats and current safety standards and regulations, please visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website.


	Your Child At 4 to 6 Months Between four and six months, your baby may: Roll over from stomach to back and from back to stomach. Understand that she/he can reach to touch objects. Try to talk to image in mirror. Express her/his self by laughing when happy or crying or turning away to showing signs of fear, anger or disgust. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics... at 4 months let your doctor know if your baby: Doesn’t seem to respond to loud noises. Doesn’t reach for and grasp toys. Doesn’t babble or try to imitate any of your sounds. Doesn’t push down with her legs when her feet are placed on a firm surface. Has trouble moving one or both eyes in all directions. Doesn’t pay attention to new faces, or seems very frightened by new faces or surroundings. Between 4 to 6 months, you will be able to observe amazing changes in to your baby. Your child may: Try to grab things with her/his hands. Wiggle and kick with her arms and legs. Sit with support. Begin teething. Use eyes and hands together. Respond to a shaking rattle and peek-a-boo games. Explore objects with her/his mouth. Safety tip… Never shake or spank your baby. Shaking can cause brain damage. Never leave your baby unattended anywhere near water. Babies can drown in less than 1 inch. Your baby must always ride in a car seat that is: Rear-facing. In the backseat Properly attached or secured. To prevent burns, always check the temperature of the water before setting your baby in the water. Never lave your baby on a bed, couch or chair where she/he can roll off and fall. A baby may move faster then you would expect and get seriously hurt. For information about child car seats and current safety standards and regulations, please visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website.


	Your Child At 6 to 12 Months Between six and nine months, your baby may: Transfer objects from one hand to the other. Enjoy dropping objects over edge of chair or crib. Recognize family members’ names. Show mild to severe anxiety at separation from parent. Sit alone without support. Reach for a cup or spoon when being fed. Between nine and twelve months, your baby may: Pull her to standing position. Say her/his first word. Become attached to a favorite toy or blanket. Clap hands, wave goodbye, if prompted. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics... you should let the doctor know if you baby at 6 months: Seems very stiff, with tight muscles. Seems very floppy, like a rag doll. Refuses to cuddle. Doesn’t seem to enjoy being around people. Cannot sit with help. Does not laugh or squeal. Does not actively reach for objects. At 9 months: Drags one side of body while crawling (for over one month). Does not point objects or pictures. Does not search for objects that are hidden while he watches. Keep In Mind... If your baby doesn’t like a new food, don’t give up. Re-introduce it in a few days if your baby does not like a flavor. Often a baby needs to try a food several times before he will eat it. Avoid food that could cause choking such as whole grapes, popcorn, uncooked carrots, hot dogs, nuts, hard candy. For information about child car seats and current safety standards and regulations, please visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website.


	Your Child At 12 to 18 Months Between twelve and eight months, your child may: walk without help enjoy holding objects while walking – often one in each hand play alone with toys turn pages in a book say about 8-20 understandable words, including “Hi” and “Bye” pay attention to conversations like to pull and push and dump things understand and follow simple, one step directions begin to feed them self with a spoon climb stairs while holding on Eating drinking & sleeping: At 12 months, a baby should eat a balanced diet of healthy foods, such as: vegetable, fruit, dairy, meat. All foods should be cut into small pieces so that the child can feed independently without the risk of choking. By 12 months you should begin weaning your child off drinking from a bottle, offering a sippy cup instead. After 12 months, formula is no longer necessary if a child is eating a balanced diet. At this time, your child can switch from formula to about 22 ounces of whole milk. Offer water regularly throughout the day. At around 12 to 18 months, your child needs about 14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. As your child’s vocabulary grows, his/her interest in books and songs will grow, too. Provide your child with books that can easily be carried by little hands and which offer flaps and textures he/she can explore. Teach new songs and movements Look at picture books with your baby and talk about the pictures. Your child’s desire and ability to do things on her/his own will extend to her/his play. Allow your child to use toys in any way she/he wants. When your child is able to explore freely, she/he learns to imagine, invent, and problem solve. Plan play dates. Consider your child’s nap time with her/his new friend. Allow time for your child to play alone. Independent play allows her/him to choose and direct the activity, and helps build confidence. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics... at 12 months, let you doctor know if your baby: does not crawl drags one side of their body while crawling for over one month says no single word does not point to objects or pictures cannot stand while supported does not use gestures such as waving or shaking their head Safety tip… Never leave the side rail down on the crib By 12 months and 20 pounds, your baby should ride in a forward facing car seat, preferably in the middle of the backseat of the car Keep hot liquids out of reach Cover sharp edges, electric outlets and fireplaces Block staircases and the kitchen with gates, install safety latches on drawers, toilets, and cabinets. For information about child car seats and current safety standards and regulations, please visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website.


	Your Child At 18 to 24 Months Between eighteen and twenty-four months, your toddler may: feed him/herself with a spoon show signs of independence, such as saying “No” and trying to do many things independently refer to his/herself by name choose between two objects walk well and run get angry and even may have temper tantrums have trouble sharing copy single words spoken by someone else and use the words “Please” and “Thank you” if prompted According to the American Academy of Pediatrics... let your doctor know if your child at 18 months: cannot walk fails to develop a mature heel-toe walking pattern after several months of walking, or walks exclusively on her/his toes does not speak at least 15 words does not ever use his/her index finger to point, to ASK for something or to indicate INTEREST in something does not ever PRETEND, for example, to make a cup of tea using a toy cup and teapot, or pretend other things Safety tip… Avoid climbing accidents; secure large objects and furniture, install window guards to prevent your child from falling out. Keep hot liquids out of reach. Make sure window treatments do NOT impose strangling hazards. Install safety latches on cabinets, toilets, and drawers. Cover sharp edges. Your child’s growth and development Intellectually, socially and emotionally At 18-24 months, your child should be able to: Refer to him/her by name and uses the words “Me” and “Mine” Choose between two objects Use 2-3 word sentences Copy single words spoken by someone else & use the words “please” and “Thank you” Imitate actions Get angry and even may have temper tantrums Act shy around strangers Because your child is starting to understand expectations and consequences, you can begin to teach your child proper behavior. Try to: Give your child the opportunity to correct misbehavior by giving her/him second chance Never use spanking or other physical punishment and limit your use of the word “NO” Model good behavior For information about child car seats and current safety standards and regulations, please visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website.


	Your Child At 2 Years to 3 Years Between twenty- four and thirty–six months, your toddler may: jump in place and walk on tiptoes observe other children at play and join in throw and kick a ball help to put things away have a hard time sharing things call him/herself by their own name have a vocabulary of 200 to 300 or more words point and name his/her own body parts when asked want routines to always be the same begin to ride a tricycle stand momentarily on one foot drink through a straw begin to have bladder and bowel control zip and unzip a zipper According to the American Academy of Pediatrics... at 2 to3 years, let your doctor know if your child: cannot push a wheeled toy does not speak at least 15 words by 18 months does not use 2 word sentences does not follow simple directions cannot walk fails to develop a heel-toe walking pattern after several months of walking At this age your child will enjoy going out in the world and exploring. Expand your child’s language by reading together every day and by: Asking questions about the book you’re reading to get him/her involved in the story make sure he/she understands Offering materials to scribble, draw or pretend to write Point to words when you read. This will help your child understand how the reading process works. Your child is now learning to incorporate her/his real- life experience into pretend play. This is her/his way of figuring out the world around her/him. For example, you will see her/him “talking” on the phone, driving a car, or talking to a friend when she’s by her/his self. Safety tip… Choose toys that are agreed appropriate and do to not have small parts that can cause chocking. Two and three year-olds still must ride in the backseat of a car. They will be ready to move to a booster seat from 40 pounds and three year-olds up to 80 pounds Tips for taming tantrums Although a temper tantrum is a natural and healthy expression of your child’s emotions and frustrations, he/she must be taught that it is not an acceptable behavior. To help break him/her of the habit: Don’t use physical punishment. Instead, create consequences that relate to the behavior. Don’t ever lose your temper. He /she will lose control even more if you do. Discuss the issue. When your child is calm, validate her/his feelings while letting them know that their behavior is not acceptable. Avoid a problem –causing situation. If you know your child throws a fit when they are hungry, remember to carry a snack with you. For information about child car seats and current safety standards and regulations, please visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website.

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