Child Development from Birth to Three

[LadyHawk]

Provided from the Infant and Toddler Connection program in Virginia.

Parents are Often The First to Know When Their Baby Needs A Helping Hand....

A checklist for your child's developemnt from birth to age three.:

By Age 3 Months

* Does your baby smile back at you when you smile, talk or gently touch her face.
* Is your baby making cooing sounds like "ooh or aah".
* Does your baby seem surprised when she hears loud noises.
* Does your baby play with her hands or put them in her mouth.
* Does your baby watch you when you walk around the room.
* Does your baby show you when she is happy or upset.

By 6 months old:

* Does your baby laugh out loud ?
* Does your baby babble.
* Does your baby try to explore toys by putting them in his mouth.
* Does your baby roll from his tummy to his back.
* Does your baby sit with support.
* Does your baby lift his head and chest when lying on his tummy.
* Does your baby turn his head toward sounds like your voice, radio or tv.
* Does your baby reach for and hold a toy.

By 9 months old:

* Does your baby sit by herself without leaning on her hands.
* Does your baby look for a toy when she sees you drop it.
* Does your baby like for you to play peek a boo
* Does your baby hold something in each hand at the same time.
* Does your baby scoot or crawn on her tummy.
* Can they stand by holding on to furniture.
* Can they shake their head "No?"
* Can they turn their head to soft noises.
* Is your baby afraid of strangers.

By 12 months old:

* Can your baby look at the right thing when you say words like ball, bottle, cup .
* Does your baby say Mama or Dada ?
* Can they find a toy when he sees you hide it.
* Do they wave bye bye.
* Does your baby look at pictures in a book.
* Can they take steps when holding on to furniture.
* Can your baby pick up finger foods like cheerios using the thumb/one finger.
* Can your baby get upset when you leave.

By 15 months old:

* Can they point to or ask for things they want.
* Can your baby feed herself with fingers.
* Can they walk without help
* Does your baby say any words other than Mama or Dada.
* Does your baby scribble on paper using crayons.
* Is your baby happy to play alone for a few minutes.

By 18 months old:

* Can they hold and drink from a cup.
* Can they point to a body part like eyes, nose when you name them.
* Can your baby put things in and out of containers.
* Does your baby give you a hug.
* Does your baby like to look at books and turn pages by themselves.
* Can your baby walk across along room without falling.

By 24 months old :

* Does your child stack things on top of one another.
* Does your child try to do things she sees your or others do.
* Can they pretend play.
* Can they put words together like, Daddy shoe...go bye bye...
* Can they point top ictures in a book when you name them.
* Can your child take off her sweater; socks or hat by themselves.

By 30 months:

* Does your child walk up stairs.
* Can they understand the meaning of one correctly following simple requests like, "give me one cracker "
* Can they put three words together like "I want juice"
* Can your child make a straight line.
* Does your child use pronouns like I, you, me.
* Does your child turn the pages of a book.
* Does your child use words to say how they feel.

By 36 months

* Can your child tell you her first name and age.
* Can they unbutton buttons
* Can they jump up and down.
* Can they ask questions
* Can they play near or watch other children play.
* Does your child understand words like in, out, behind.
* Does your child follow simple two step directions like, "go to your room, get your shoe"

Of course this is a guide they put out knowing that each child learns at their own pace, but if you have many no's to these questions you may want to inqure with your physician or development specialists regarding your concerns.

In Virginia for Early Intervention Program you can call 1-800-234-1448 and they will assist you in finding an intervention near you.