Your Child's Development
Every child develops at a different pace, so remember that your child may do some things earlier and other things later, but if you have concerns about your child's rate of development, please ask at his/her well child visit--this is your time and we want to make sure we address any concerns or questions that you have.
Your child should focus on your face and by 4 weeks, should be able to follow a toy held in front of his face from the side to the front of his face. He will also be able to raise his head up when on his belly. He should also become quiet and alert when he hears a sound. You can stimulate his development by talking and singing to him. Also give him some "tummy time" when he is awake (never when sleeping) to help him strengthen his neck, chest and arm muscles.
By 2 months of age, your child should be able to lift her chest and head up when laying on her tummy. she should also be able to follow a toy held in front of her face from one side all the way to the other. By 12 weeks of age, your child's hands should be open when she is resting and clenched when she is active or excited. Your child should also smile when you talk to her. Stimulate her continued development by starting a bedtime routine and read out loud to her before putting her in bed awake but drowsy. She will develop a lifetime love of reading and will also be a better sleeper for you when she is a toddler. If your child is not opening her hands, if she is unable to lift her head and chest up when lying on her belly or if she does not smile, talk to the doctor.
Your child should roll over from front to back and should begin reaching out with both hands. He should begin laughing and should enjoy looking around. Stimulate his development by placing a toy just out of reach when he is on his tummy. This will encourage him to reach out and to pull forward in order to grab at his toy. Also continue to read a bed time story with colorful pages every night!
Your infant will now begin babbling -- the first word will most likely be "dadada" or "bababa". She may even wave when you say hello or bye. She should also be able to crawl arm over arm in the "army" style and should sit on her own with her hands propping her up. When she holds a toy, she should pass it from one hand to the other and will explore it by putting it in her mouth.. Stimulate her development by playing "peek-a-boo" and "patty cake." If your child is not rolling or babbling or is too weak to sit, talk to the doctor.
Your baby should now be able to sit well and should also be able to pull up to a stand. He may also be interested in playing the "drop" game with you! (dropping an object over and over again until you get tired of picking it up!) He will also say "mamama", but won't say it specifically to his mom. He will also use his thumb and forefinger to pick up small things, so childproof your house! Stimulate his development by blowing bubbles for him and allowing him to watch them fall or to bat at them.
Your child should now be "cruising" around the room (holding on to objects and taking a few steps in between to the next object) and will call his mom "mama" and dad "dada" specifically. He will also make marks with a crayon or pen, so watch your walls! Stimulate his development by offering him choices and repeating the words for these choices when he wants something (for example, don't just get him a cup of milk when you know he is thirsty. Ask him if he would like milk or water and wait for him to give you a response--you may not understand it, but just guess and if it isn't what he wants, he will let you know. And if he has a pacifier, make him take it out to talk to you.) Talk to the doctor if your child is not pulling to a stand or if he is not saying mama or dada.
Now your child can walk well and can even walk backwards. She should also be able to crawl up stairs. She should have a vocabulary of 5-10 words and should follow a command (if she is in the right mood!) She should be able to use her cup well and the bottle should be GONE! She is also able to feed herself with her fingers and by using the spoon (she may still spill though.) Stimulate her development by letting her play with containers and blocks -- make sure the blocks are too big to fit in her mouth though!
He can now run and throw! At story time, he will also turn the pages for you (whether you are finished with the page or not!) His vocabulary will have 10 or more words and he will point out 5 body parts and knows 2 or more animal sounds. Stimulate his development by reading interactive books to him -- books that you have to push buttons to make sounds at certain points in the story. It will keep him more entertained and less likely to lose interest in the book. If your child is saying fewer than 5 words on his own or merely repeats words you say, talk to the doctor at your child's well visit.
She can now walk up and down steps on her own and has a vocabulary of 50 or more words. She will talk in 2 word phrases and can turn 1 page at a time in the story book. She can get herself undressed and may show an interest in all of her body parts. She will play next to, but not share toys with, another toddler. Stimulate her development by naming shapes and colors to her when you see them in books or in everyday objects and also by pointing out letters in her name when you see them on signs or in books. If your child is not combining 2 words together or if she doesn't have a vocabulary of more than 20 words, talk to the doctor at your child's next visit.
He is now able to peddle a tricycle and can draw a circle with crayons or a pencil. He will also play with other children and will share and take turns. He will use three word sentences and will use plurals. He will also use pronouns like "he, she, hers, his" Stimulate his development by playing games such as the "memory" game or a simple board game like "Candy Land." Continue to emphasize colors and shapes and the letters in his name.
Your child is ready for preschool! Preschool will help get your child ready for the structure of Kindergarten and help her develop the skills necessary for success in school. She should be able to button and unbutton without help. She can also hop, skip and completely dress herself. She should be able to draw a square and should know all of her colors. Continue to read out loud every night and ask her questions about the story. When you read a new story, you can ask her what she thinks will happen next.
Your child will be attending Kindergarten! What a big step for you and your child! Make sure he can tie his shoes, write his name and can recognize many of the letters in the alphabet and the numbers 1 through 10. He should also know your address and phone number. Continue to read out loud each night -- soon he will be reading to you!