Considering Your Child's Development

Are you wondering if your child’s development is on track? You should contact Help Me Grow! To get an idea of some of the developmental milestones we’ll be looking for, here are some typical indicators of healthy child development from Family Education:

Age 0-6 Months - A lot happens during your baby's first months. Your baby will begin his development by learning to open and focus his eyes. He will begin responding to his name and your voice, and will learn big and small body movements. He might begin to babble and will use his fingers to grab, hold, and shake objects. As his development continues, he'll learn to grasp smaller items, release objects, sit and play on his own, and may begin to move around by creeping along on his belly.

Age 6-12 Months - Your child will continue learning how to move his body, and will begin creeping, crawling, pulling himself up to cruise along furniture, or may begin walking. He'll also learn to play with toys appropriately, wave good-bye, and begin to babble simple words like "Mama" and "Dada".

Age 1-2 Years - As your child grows into his first year, he may begin to stack, bang, and place objects inside others. His grasp will be precise, and he might begin scribbling and using a sippy cup independently. He'll also begin to engage in pretend play by feeding dolls or stuffed animals. His walking and running skills will also become more steady and established.

Age 2-3 Years - As your child's language continues to develop, he will begin using two-word sentences and will know and understand upwards of 50 words. He will also show an interest in playing with children his own age, and will begin alternating his feet when climbing the stairs.

Age 3-4 Years - Building towers and drawing shapes are just some of the developmental milestones your child will reach in his third and fourth year. Aside from buttons, he will begin dressing himself, can speak in simple six-word sentences, and will continue to develop motor skills such as learning to catch a tossed ball.

For ideas for age-appropriate activities, check out FamilyEducation at: http://life.familyeducation.com/child-development/activities/63988.html