Developmental Progress Chart
Every child is different. This chart gives general milestones in a child's development. The information below lets you know what to expect. It will help you record your child's progress.
At 12 months, most children...
·Pull themselves to stand and may step with support
·Can nod their head to signal "yes"
·Give love
·Pick things up with thumb and one finger
·Say two or three words
At 15 months, most children...
·Walk without support
·Do some self-feeding
·Speak and make their voice go up and down
·Drink from a cup held by someone
·Use four or five words
At 18 months, most children...
·Walk (may run a bit)
·Use five to ten words
·Climb up or down one stair
·Pull toys that have wheels
·Mark on paper with crayons
·Understand easy directions
At 2 years, most children...
·Give toys when asked
·Recognize a familiar picture and know if it is upside down
·Kick large ball
·Turn pages in a book (two or three at a time)
·Use two or three words together, such as "more juice"
At 3 years, most children...
·Walk up stairs holding railing
·Unbutton large buttons
·Stand for a moment on one foot
·Talk of toilet needs
·Open doors
·Stack objects by size
·Ask and answer simple questions
·Speak clearly and are understood by family members
It is Important to... Because...
12 to 18 months
| Your child is becoming active and independent and may be experimenting with single words and two-word sentences. Tale time to talk because what you do now could be the key to success for your child's future. Use gentle humor as you talk or work with your child. Children learn faster when they enjoy an activity. Listening, talking and being listened to are the basis for success in school. Language experience that are fun and done in a caring, loving atmosphere encourage the best language development. |
| It is important to... |
because... |
| have your child point to objects that you name in books and magazines, and repeat the name after you ("Show me the kitty." Child points to kitty and repeats the word "kitty") |
this develops beginning vocabulary and stimulates interest in reading. |
| restate your child's words and gestures using correct words (child points and says "wawa" and you say "water?") |
your child is hearing the correct word and learning the correct label for different things. |
| help your child recognize the correct body parts through games ("Show me your tongue." "Where's your foot?") |
this helps to build basic vocabulary. |
| play games in which your child is asked to bring named objects to you ("Bring the shoes to Mommy.") |
this will teach your child to follow directions. |
| describe what you are doing as you are doing it ("Let's put the ball into the toy box.") |
this matches an activity with the language that goes with it. |
| read simple picture books daily, especially rhymes and poems |
this will stimulate a sense of rhythm, patterns in language, and a love for reading. |
18 to 24 months
| Your child is learning through imitation. Not only is it important that you take time to talk, but also to keep your own speech clear and unhurried. Your child' s ability to communicate depends on you. Language experiences that are fun and done in a caring, loving atmosphere encourage the best language development. Listening, talking and being listened to are the basis for success in school. Show excitement when your child uses new words or discovers new ideas. Show how proud you are of any progress. |
| It is important to... |
because... |
| play games that have your child imitate sounds and identify the sound ("What does the say?" "Moo.") |
this helps your child see the relationship between the animal or object and the sound it makes. |
| read picture books, poetry and nursery rhymes daily |
this develops a sense of rhythm and patterns in language. |
| allow your child to have his/her own books to look at and "read" (tech the proper care of books) |
this stimulates interest in reading. |
| play games where your child names body parts as you point to them (point to ear and child says "ear.") |
this helps your child communicate his/her understanding of body parts. |
| listen to a variety of music (tapes, radio, records and TV) and teach your child simple songs |
this develops a sense of rhythm and rhyme. |
| repeat the thought in a full sentence when your child talks in short phrases (child says, "Me go?" and you say "Do you want to go?") |
this develops an understanding of sentence patterns. |
2 to 3 years
| This is an age when your child is finding words to express thoughts. Opportunities should be provided to increase imaginative play and to practice language. Take time to talk to your child about these experiences every day and make sure you really listen and respond. Build your child's confidence. Praise generously for successes no matter how minor they seem. Refrain from criticizing his/her speech or ideas. Language experiences that are fun and done in a caring, loving atmosphere encourage the best language development. Listening, talking and being listened to are the basis for success in school. |
| It is important to... |
because... |
| encourage your child to look at books and "pretend" read, (child makes up a story that may or may not go with the pictures) |
this encourages imagination and is an important step in becoming a reader. |
| play games with toy telephones |
this develops conversational skills. |
| start talking about colors ("Do you want the pink glass or the blue glass for your juice?") |
this develops the idea of color. |
| ask questions about what your child sees whenever you go to such places as the grocery store, mall or church |
this encourages your child to observe and talk about the things around him/her. |
| answer your child's questions and then ask your child another question |
this encourages the expression of ideas. |
| talk about what you are doing as you work in the kitchen, ride in the car or do work in the laundry |
this builds vocabulary and matches activities with the language that goes with them. |
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