Information is quoted from “What Should Your Child be Doing?” By Geordie Belinski, B.Sc.N, M.ed. This is a guide to recognizing developmental milestones and helping your child to achieve them.
Where To Get Help When You Have Questions or Concerns?
- Family Physician
- Public Health Nurse
- Infant Development Program
- Vision Services
- Speech Language Pathologist
- Audiologist Services (Hearing)
- Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Services
- Behavioral Services
A 3 month old baby generally ...
A 6 month old baby generally ...
A 12 month old baby generally ...
A 18 month old child generally ...
A 24 month old child generally ...
A 30 month old child generally ...
A 36 month old child generally ...
A 4 year old child generally ...
A 5 year old child generally ...
 |
||
| A 3 month old baby generally: |  |
|
|
||
- awakens or is distributed by loud noises
- reacts to soft noise by eye movement
- smiles when smiled at
- makes cooing sounds, chuckles
- cries to signal needs
- will make sounds when you make sounds to them
- likes to listen to your voice
- holds hands loosely open
- brings hands together in the middle of their body to play while lying on their back, and if holding a toy, brings toy to mouth
- lies on back and holds head in the middle looking forward most of the time
-lies on back, and kicks vigorously alternating legs
-lies on stomach, and lifts head and upper chest off the floor using forearms for support
-looks into caregiver’s face with contented gaze while feeding or interacting
-responds with pleasure to friendly handling
|
||
| A 6 month old baby generally: | |
|
|
||
turns head toward a sound or movement
- looks at people and/or objects for long periods
- responds to his/her own name
- makes sounds of pleasure and displeasure
- lifts legs and grasps one foot in play. May bring foot to mouth
- sits unsupported or by leaning forward on hands. Is able to turn head from side to side when sitting
-can roll from front to back and usually back to front
- lifts head and chest up supported on extended arms while lying on stomach
- will bear weight on feet and bounce up and down when held in a standing position on a hard surface
- will reach out and grasp an object when lying on back
-will transfer an object from one hand to the other
- may touch or rub own genitals when diapers are being changed
- Male may have an erection
- is friendly with strangers but may show some shyness if parent is out of sight
- will smile at its image in mirror
- responds to caregiver’s emotions
- likes to play interactive games such as peek-a-boo
|
||
| A 12 month old baby generally: | |
|
|
||
- gives toys to an adult on request
- likes to be constantly within sight and hearing of familiar people
- knows strangers from familiar people
- will point to make a request for something
- plays pat-a-cake and waves bye-bye when asked
- sits alone on the floor for a long time without falling
- can rise from lying to sitting position and easily return to lying
- pulls up on furniture to stand and lets self down again
- walks with one hand held and may walk on own
- moves around furniture when standing by lifting one foot and moving sideways
- picks up small objects with the tip of the thumb and index finger
- bangs two objects together
- creeps up stairs
- babbles in long repetitive stings
- may imitate speech sounds and/or words made by others
- responds to own name
- calls attention to needs by pointing and vocalizing
- points to an object when asked
- says mama and dada with meanin
|
||
| A 18 month old child generally: | |
|
|
||
- understands simple directions such as “give it to me” and “show me your nose”
- will point to simple body parts and clothing on request
- is interested in watching others doing bathroom functions
- is interested in own feces
- explores own body with curiosity and pleasure including genitals
- produces jargon – like speech, which sounds like talking without using real words
- uses 10 to 20 different single words spontaneously
- will ask questions using a single word with a rising pitch of voice
- will look at what you are talking about. Takes turns in language
- Walks with feet slightly apart. Does not need to hold upper arms out to balance
- squats to pick up toy from the floor and rises again without help
- climbs onto an adult chair
- throws a small ball
- walks up and down stairs with one hand held
- explores environment energetically, returning to parents as their secure base
- may alternate between clinging to parent and pushing away
- may threw a temper tantrum when tired
|
||
| A 24 month old child generally: | |
|
|
||
- runs safely on whole foot, stopping and starting with ease
- walks upstairs and down holding onto railing or wall
- climbs on and off chairs
- throws a tennis ball overhand
- jumps with two feet off the floor at the same time
- scribbles
- uses a speech to fee self
- may use 3 word sentences
- recognizes actions in pictures
- refers to self and others by name
- has a vocabulary of about 200 words
- follows simple directions such as “go get your bottle”
- may throw a temper tantrum when they do not get what they want, or when unable to express urgent needs
- engages in simple make-believe activities
- prefers to play on their own instead of with other children but enjoys being with other children
- imitates household activities such as sweeping
- clings tightly to parent in fatigue, affection or fear
- shows concern at the sight of someone else’s distress
- may touch or rub their own genitals when diapers are being changed: when going to sleep: when tense, excited, or afraid. Males may have erections
- may touch the private parts or breasts of familiar adults or children in curiosity
- likes to be nude and may show others their genitals
- may show fear when things are not the way they expected
|
||
| A 30 month old child generally: | |
|
|
||
- pretends to take different roles
- watches other children at play and occasionally joins in for a few minutes
- jumps with two feet together from a bottom step
- balances on one foot for a moment
- turns pages of a picture book – one page at a time
- speaks using minimum of 2 to 3 word sentences
- begins to use pronouns (e.g. he, she) correctly
sings some nursery rhymes
- answers “what” “where” and “yes/no” questions
- names most body parts
- understands the use of simple objects
|
||
| A 36 month old child generally: | |
|
|
||
- walks alone upstairs, alternating left and right feet
- walks forwards, backwards and sideways
- stands and walks on tiptoes
- rides tricycle, using pedals
- may show a hand preference (uses one hand more than the other)
- is able to make a cut in paper with scissors
- is able to thread large beads onto a shoelace
- speaks in sentences using words such as “and” and “but”
- uses questions for getting information and making contact with others. Ask who; what; where; ad why
- enjoys stories, rhymes and poetry
- engages in make-believe play such as playing house or acting out the roles of mommy and daddy
- may play doctor and inspect a playmate’s body
- plays with other children
- play simple group games such as “Ring Around the Rosy”
- likes to help adult in household activities
- is starting to understand sharing
- may show fear of imaginary dangers or fear of the dark
|
||
| A 4 year old child generally: | |
|
|
||
- can carry out simple two step directions “get the ball and throw it to the dog”
- tells simple stories
- has speech almost 100% understandable
- speaks in sentences (may contain some grammar errors)
- walks alone up and down stairs one foot on each step
- balances on one foot for at least three seconds
- stands with feet together and eyes closed without falling
- walks along a line on the floor with both feet on the line
- can catch a large ball with two hands
- uses scissors well
- is able to thread small beads on a shoelace
- draws a simple person with three parts
- can copy vertical and horizontal lines as well as O and +
- learns to use buttons
- is more independent and strong willed
- shows sense of humor in talk and activities
- favor make-believe play and dressing-up
- likes to build with materials when out-of-doors
- shows concern or sympathy for younger siblings or playmates in distress
- will help another child when asked by and adult
- asks others to play and can start conversations with other children
- eats well with fork and spoon
- draws people and objects
|
||
| A 5 year old child generally: | |
|
|
||
- uses words to describe objects and people (e.g. “pretty baby)
- follows three step directions
- has adult- like grammar
- may have errors with certain sounds (e.g. “r” “ch” “sh” “L” “th”) and may lisp on “s”
- understands the meaning of “first”, “last”, “whole”, “empty”, “half,” “more”, “near”, “behind”, “far”, etc)
- walks easily on a narrow line
- balances easily on one foot
- catches a tennis ball with one hand
- runs with arms swinging opposite to legs
easily imitates body postures
-uses preferred hand when using a tool, and uses good coordination of both hands when needed
- cuts out shapes with accuracy
- can print a few recognizable letters with out a model
- chooses their own friends
- co-operates with playmates most of the time and understands rules and fair play
- comforts playmates in distress
- will greet others with “hello” and say “goodbye” when leaving
- draws recognizable person with head, chest, legs, arms and facial features
- draws and undresses alone
- is tender and protective towards young children and pets